Mission Accomplished

I did it!

I finished my first 5k Race. It was really fun and surprisingly hot and humid.

I got up around 6:15, had a piece of wheat bread with peanut butter, and went over to Gal Pal's to meet up before we ran. I even had a little bib number and everything.

I finished under 30 minutes...my goal. I wasn't paying attention to the big clock at the finish line. I was more worried about navigating a maze of cones. They had walkie talkies near the last bin and rattled off numbers, so they could look and call our names off a list as we crossed the finish line. I think my official time was 29:40 or something. I'll find out later this week.

Gal Pal, CJ, and myself all started off near the front. After hearing a mom yell at her daughter to keep running despite the girl's pleas for help and cries of pain, I had to leave my friends behind. Besides, they had iPods. I practiced running without one, because most races don't allow them, so I left mine at home.

Some photographer from the local TV station was there getting video...I'm cringing that I don't make the local news tonight.

I was dripping sweat more than I've ever experienced after a workout. It was surprisingly hot this morning at 7:45. I think I expected it to be cooler, so I wasn't mentally focused on the weather.

I had a good visit with the fam in KY the first part of the weekend. Things are looking better there...so I'm crossing my fingers/

Ok...gonna run (not).
Later
"W"

Cruisin Without Payments

As of a few days ago, I'm the proud owner of a jeep! As in...paid for...title in my hands...no more monthly bill! After five years, I'm glad to have $300+ extra dollars. The plan now is to use that money to put into savings and pay down debt. One of my resolutions for the year was to be debt free by the end of the year. It's possible, but weekend trips to the Big City and gas prices really cut into that.

I'm off today for working Labor Day, so I'm heading to KY to visit the fam and celebrate my sister's birthday. Things have been strained lately with all of us, since Mom and Dad no longer live together. J asked if I was looking forward to the visit and I told him no because of the circumstances. He said, "well look on the bright side, maybe things will be better by the time you get there. Sure enough, following a big fight last weekend, they've patched things up and are working on spending more time together. It's not back to normal...but it's much better than before.

I'm coming back tomorrow evening after the birthday lunch and resting up for the big race Sunday morning. I've never said "race' before in my life. Last night, Gal Pal Stephanie, CJ, and I ran as usual, did the race course to get the feel for it, but had a much slower time than normal. I'd like to be under a 9 minute mile, but i'll settle for 9:30.

J is coming down Sunday after church for a visit. He's on a three week break. So I will get to see him after all this weekend. I'm missing out on a big 'motown themed party he and his 'guys' are going to tonight, but it's been awhile since I've seen the fam.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

"W"

Penthouse Party

Hey All!

Another fabulous weekend to tell you about.

After work, I left for the Big City, and was greeted at J's house with soft music playing and candles lit. I tell you, what a romantic guy he is! Following some 'good to see you again' time alone, we grabbed some Mexican for dinner and called it a night.

Saturday morning he had a meeting to go to that lasted until early afternoon. I went for a run around the neighborhood to keep training for my 5K next Sunday, then I met up with James and Sarah for lunch and a little shopping.

Two weekends I missed seeing Sarah totally. The first she was giving handjobs to birds at some canary show, the second I can't remember where she was. Last weekend we didn't get to talk much but she did say...

As we were standing in line for communion, we ended up next to each other across the aisle. I gave her a hug, she smacked my rear and says, "There's nothing like a little grab ass before communion."

Sarah and James wanted the gory details of J and W time together, and I told them it was none of their business...just use your imagination...and said hold that thought I know how sicko you guys can be.

We shopped for a bit, and I found a great pair of chocolate brown dress pants. I also bought a salmon colored dress shirt to match, but realized I don't need it...so it'll get returned.

It was time to go, so we did our goodbyes and Sarah says, "Go have some butt sex!" Actually she was kinda yelling it out the window at me in the parking lot. Sweet!

Due to a MLB game, a major bicycle race, major interstate construction, the Pope coming to town, and aliens invading the Big City, traffic was not fun. We were a little late for the Balloon Race party.





Up 21 floors in a new high rise penthouse, I was blown away by the views in three directions, the double balconies, and of course the floor to ceiling windows. The host retired at 29, is probably in his 50's (just a guess), and has himself one heck of a place to live. Marble everywhere, gorgeous furnishings, which left me worried to breath that I'd break something or spill my wine. I just had one glass, because I didn't have a ton on my stomach and I got to feeling light headed a bit.





The race got off to a slow start (yeah I know they're balloons not F15 fighter jets), and they didn't go very far. The party was a mix of church people and some of the host's friends, which was nice.

So obviously, I was shooting into the sun, so you can't see great detail on the balloons, but it was pretty...let me tell you.

Sunday was a church day, excellent service. I skipped the first service to go have breakfast with some of our friends. There were information meetings about a new building prospect for the church (we're moving) following both services...so the 2nd meeting lasted till after 2. I was staving and big girls need to eat. We had to go pick up a costume for a party J will go to next Friday night (I'm going home to visit the fam), and grabbed a really late lunch. Came home, swapped back rubs, took a nap, got some ice cream (that's our Sunday night ritual), and then I came back to small town. The two hour drive isn't getting old...yet.

Smooches,
"W"

It's Friday!

Woo-hoo.

After a trying week at work (we had a lot of people out sick and I had to do more work...poor me), it's almost over.

Once a month, we have a birthday lunch on Friday. Most people in the other departments bring a dish or two, but my dept gets criticized for never cooking, just eating. Last night, I made my famous Carmel pie to take for today. That should shut them up for awhile.

Speaking of food, I have a great pineapple cake recipe. I haven't made it myself yet, but have tasted it...and it rocks!

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda (sift)
2 large eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 cup chopped pecans
1-20oz can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup (do not drain)

Mix well by hand
Bake in a 9X13 inch pan ungreased for 35 minutes at 350 degrees

While cake bakes, mix frosting and put on cake 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 stick margarine softened
1 8oz cream cheese
1 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Beat with mixer and then enjoy!

I'm off to the Big City again after work...J has a meeting in the morning...I'm meeting some friends at the gym and for coffee...then J and I are going to a wine and cheese party to watch some balloon race off a penthouse balcony. Fancy right?

Here's to a great weekend
"W"

I'm a druggie

A week after the big crack cocaine bust in my 'hood...I too had to find a new drug and a new supplier.

After a visit to a doctor for the first time in probably four years, I had some blood work done. The first time EVER. It was traumatic! Very scary. The actual process wasn't awful, but afterwards I got all pale and clammy and nauseous. It was a fasting test, so I had nothing on my stomach.

The good news is that I don't have 'the hiv'...as kids call it these days...but the bad news is that I have high cholesterol. The HDL bad kind was 169...Doc wants it below 100. He said a strict diet isn't good enough, so I'm on a drug now to lower it. I'm supposed to check back in a month for another fasting blood test...yay fun.

Is 29 too young to be on meds?

Here's a low cholesterol smooch to you all!

*W*

Sandi Patty and Mr. Fix It

Let me just tell you how great "J" is.


He's great.


He's beyond great.


Will I eat my words six months from now? I hope not.


Friday evening I arrive in the Big City around 8ish...J just home from the gym and grocery. He greets me warmly with a hug and long kiss (ok, quit vomiting)...he insists on a shower. I start dinner while he freshens up. Ok, I put the bag of chicken fried rice in the microwave. He finishes and then stir fries some veggies to add into the fried rice. We watch a little TV then head to bed.


Saturday is the sleep in day.


He's got a church related meeting at 11, so I have a few hours to myself. I do some laundry, unload the dishwasher, and watch a little tennis.


Novak Djokovic....YUM!























Nothing like a little Sexy Serbian to perk up a slow Saturday.

"J" agrees he's a cutie too.

Before he gets home, I'm getting ready. I accidentally push down on the stopper in the sink drain...and snap! I broke it...oops. I'm sometimes accident prone and it was bound to happen.

When he gets home...I fess up and he's like it's no big deal, I'll fix it.

After a nice dinner out, we head to Lowe's to get the repair kit, and to Target to get supplies for the drawers he cleaned out for me so I don't have to pack stuff back and forth on the weekends.

We're home...within minutes he's fixed the sink! I'm sooo impressed.

Sunday morning on the way to church he slips in a Sandi Patty CD circa 1986. Sandi is a pretty well known Contemporary Christian singer. He proclaims "It's Retro Sandi Patty Day!"

Too funny.

After church, lunch out with the A Gays, and a visit to the Big City Museum of Art to see the Napoleon exhibit, we call it a day, head home, and take a nap.

Things are good. Life is good. Hope yours is as wonderful as mine right now.

Smooches!
"W"

5K

I'm not talking money here...although I could certainly use about 5,000 right now.

After Gal Pal's triumphant finish in her Iron Woman Mini-Triathlon sponsored by Kotex a few weeks ago, she wants to keep the competitive edge. (She finished in the top half...not bad for her first big race.)

She's convinced me to run a 5K with her in a few weeks. She's actually running one tomorrow, but I'm going to be in the Big City. We've been running and training for a week now, and last night we did the entire 3.1 miles, in a light drizzle no less. We ran about a 9 minute mile on average, which isn't bad. Usually I'm doing good to have a 10 min mile on the treadmill.

I rarely run outdoors, and definitely need some music blaring in my ears to keep me going. Alas, in these 'real' races, you can't have iPods or anything for safety reasons. It's not that bad running without. I think I'll be fine if I can keep Gal Pal in my sights as a target to keep up and finish strong.

The race is on the 23rd. I'll let you know how training goes. My calves are really tight this morning.

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend!
"W"

There Goes the Neighborhood

Wednesday at work took me to the local police department. Business of course, not anything illegal "W" did.

I'm talking with one of the officers, and in comes a drug agent with a ziplock bag full of CRACK COCAINE! One was the size of a softball, the other a tennis ball. Street value at well over 20K, so said the drug guy.

Turns out, it's the largest crack bust in my Small Town's history! Better yet, they said, "Oh this wasn't in the bad part of town either. It happened in a duplex in a really nice neighborhood. MY NEIGHBORHOOD!

I'd like to think I live in a safe, quiet part of town. Yeah right.

We average less than one homicide a year. So it is relatively low crime for the most part.

Guess I'll have to find a new supplier now.

Cute, Funny, and Moms Like "W" Too!

Hey all!

Great weekend for "W". I caught a ride up to the Big City with a friend from work, spent a great afternoon with J getting ready for a cookout Saturday night. I made my world famous Carmel pie, he grilled, and I even ate mayonnaise in macaroni salad and broccoli salad. (Mayo is not one of my favorite things). Speaking of favorite things, the Sound of Music was on Saturday evening, so we watched the last hour or so.

Sunday we were up early for church, and he drove me back to the Small Town after services on his way to see his mother who lives nearby.

Monday we all met for lunch before I went to work. I'd met his mom several times before, but now there's a bit more pressure. Of course I was polite and charming, and impressed them both with a tour of my office after we ate. For the icing on the cake, I treated us to one of her favorites...frozen custard!

Word from J is that she thinks I'm very attractive, but look young. J is a few years older than I am. J-Mom also told him she really likes me and thinks I'm a nice guy.

Score!

Here's to a great, shortened workweek.

"W"