Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The One With the Swimsuit That is Two Sizes Too Small...

One thing about being small is that I never have to worry about guessing what size I wear.  If whatever it is that I am buying comes in an XS, that is the size I buy, no questions asked.

A few weeks ago I was online looking for a new swimsuit since my current suit went from acceptable to completely unacceptable over night.

Yes, it was seriously a borderline sagging boob incident.

Moving on...

I found this super cute suit that I ended up buying.

Yes, it looks like it has sequins.   Pink, leopard and faux sequins, someone stop me!


I immediately deemed it my suit for the swim portion of Ironman Louisville.  I mean, what person is not already planning their outfits for the big day?

I also decided that I should order another suit to throw in the rotation.

I quickly decided on this suit here since it has pink in it.  Without hesitation, I ordered an XS.

Not that is a bright suit!

The suits arrived and I was like a kid at Christmas.  I of course, wore the pink leopard, sparkly suit first.  I mean, this me we are talking about.

I grabbed the other suit a few days later and thought I would try it on.  Yeah.  That went well.

It was something out of Tommy Boy.  Imagine someone trying to squeeze themselves into a swimsuit that was clearly meant for a toddler.

I could not even get the thing on.  Instantly, my self esteem plummeted and I started thinking that perhaps all those cupcakes have been a little excessive. 

Of course I am not one to concede on cupcake eating, so I got the genius idea to compare the leopard sparkly suit that was also XS with the sausage wrapping suit.

I even brought in a second opinion.

Clearly there is an issue here

And yes, this is clearly a toddler sized suit.  I am sure this puppy is causing women everywhere to push away from the table.

Luckily, I know that I am healthy, well except for the high sugar intake, but potato, potatoe.

This suit will be going back wear it came from!  I am not exactly sure who can fit into an XS this tiny, but it is not this girl.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Recent Happenings...

We haven't been up too much lately.  I have been easing my way back into Ironman Training, with official training starting on February 3rd.  

We have had some super cold mornings!

These cold days have also caused these two to snuggle on the couch a bit.

We have also had some nice mornings and have walked to Starbucks for lattes.

Ken and I have had a few date nights.

While we were at Buffalo Wild Wings, Ken was cutting one of his wings and half of it flew into his sleeve.  

We went out with friends to celebrate Michelle's birthday.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A Little Gigi's Love...

Believe it or not, I am still eating my way through Gigi's Cupcakes.

I have taken a little break from over doing it on cupcakes, but have no fear, I am back.  With Ironman training looming, you can bet I will be stuffing my face silly with cupcakes.

Back in October, I tried the Apple Pie Cupcake.

Yes, I had two of them.  One was "supposed" to be for Ken, but we all know how that ended.

The Apple Pie cupcake was delicious.  It tasted just like an apple pie, which is why I am now questioning why I baked an apple pie for Christmas.  Next year, I am totally getting Gigi's Apple Pie cupcake instead.

Like I have said before, you can slap cream cheese frosting on anything, and I will eat it.  Cream Cheese frosting might be one of the best things ever.

Monday, January 13, 2014

A Little Bit of Everything...

The post will be just a little bit of everything.  :)  I am trying to clean up a few old pictures that are on my camera.

My girl and me.  I just love her.

We always tell her that she is the most gorgeous husky ever.

I have some sad news to report.  I killed my cactus.  Yes, the cactus that I begged for, for years, I killed it.

Poor thing.  Who kills a cactus???

On Thanksgiving, I made Ken an entire Thanksgiving dinner.  I am a good wife after all.

Ken's Thanksgiving loot.

We took Miss Kya out to the Arboretum for a hike.  She had a lot of fun and walked off the turkey that she ate on Thanksgiving.

My two loves

Kya and me


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Love, Life, and Ironman...


When I crossed the finish line of Ironman Louisville on August 26, 2012, the furthest thing from my mind was doing another Ironman.  I had so much fun that day, but I was also relieved.  Relieved that I had made it through the swim, that I did not have a flat tire, and that I was not sick during the run. 

I am not sure if Ken remembers this or not, but when he hugged me at the finish line, he mentioned something to me about next time.  I remember thinking to myself, ha, next time.  Yeah right.  My spectating husband had been making mental notes about what he would do when and if there was a next time.  I feel 99% certain that this involves a pop-up tent, a cooler of beer, and few swipes of the ever important Body Glide.

There was a small part of me that wanted to sign up for Ironman Louisville 2013, but the other 99% of me said no way.  I think that 1% was when I was writing my race report.  I knew that I needed time not spending 7 hours on a Saturday working out.  I needed a break.

2013 has come and gone and the only thing I really did was half ass train and run a marathon.  While I had big plans to be super fast, I was just not into it.  As much as I cannot believe I am saying this, I missed Ironman training.  I longed for the long hours spent by myself just riding my bike.  I also in some sick way, missed riding up that hill at 159th and Mission where I throw out f-bombs while counting to get up the darn thing.  I longed for Friday night swims of just swimming and counting my strokes. 

Back in November I started really thinking.  I started thinking about maybe it is time. Maybe I should sign up for an Ironman in 2014.  I thought about it for six weeks or so, and then mentioned it to Ken.  As much as I thought he would laugh and offer up divorce papers, he looked at me with pride and told me to go for it.  His only rule just as it was the first time, is that I cannot half ass the training.  

While I was still considering registering, I got online and read a few race reports.  While I was reading different racer's thoughts from that day, my heart started pounding.  Reading about some one's swim in the Ohio River quickly brought me back to my own swim.  The panic and fear that I had that day.  That feeling had me feeling completely a live and excited.  Excited for the unknown of what a training season will bring.  Excited for another journey to the start line and to the finish line of one of the hardest endurance events that a person can do. 

I am a big believer that people should dream big.  Have goals that scare you and make your heart race.  As I was thinking about registering for the Ironman, I started thinking about all of the scary moments from the race.  I remembered how lucky I was not to have a flat tire during the race and deal with anxiety of changing it.  My heart started racing at the thought of it.  Even though I conquered the Ohio River in 2012, I am absolutely terrified at the thought jumping into that river again.  As I sit here with my heart racing and panic on my face, I realize that I have never felt more alive than I did during the Summer of 2012. 

Yes, there were dark spots during the training.  I have not forgotten about how exhausted I felt and how cranky I got.  With that being said, I have also not forgotten about the moment I crossed the finish line and Ken picked me up and gave me the biggest and best hug of my entire life.  I have not forgotten about the feeling of pride I felt for conquering my fears.  I have also not forgotten about the realization that I am the one that got me to the start line and finish line of an Ironman.  I was personally responsible for Every. Single. Mile.

With all of the hard training that happened, I was rewarded one hundred times over.  I want to experience it again.  Just one more time.  

I am very excited to say that with a lot of fear, excitement, and possibly even craziness, I have just registered for Ironman Louisville.

What better way to start off the New Year??

Thursday, January 2, 2014

2013 Wrap 2013...

Lots of exciting stuff happened in 2013.  Let's have a look back at the year.

January

I started taking classes as part of my journey to become a Registered Nurse.

First day of class

February 

We had back to back blizzards with record breaking snow.


She was pretty convinced that she work up in Siberia.

March

Ken said good-bye to Humberto and got a new car.  

Poor thing, he was blindsided.  

April

Kya and I ran our first official 5k.


May

Ken and I celebrated 4 years of marriage.



We also went to watch the Cardinals when there were in Kansas City.



June

We hiked Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon for the third year in a row.



July

We went to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals and play around.






August

We went to yet another baseball game, but it was not the Cardinals.

Silliness, such silliness.



September

Ken and I took a trip to Colorado for a little fun.



We went to yet another baseball game.

Outside of Coors Field.

October

Michelle and I went to Chicago and I ran the Chicago Marathon for the third time.





November

I turned 33.



December

I got to go on a girls trip to NYC and I got to see the Rockefeller Tree!





Ken and I had a wonderful Christmas.



I am very excited for 2014.  We already have a big vacation planned that I am so excited about.  I also am hoping to have one big race on the schedule and I have a bet with my friend Mike that I can beat him in a half marathon.  

It should be a great year.

Happy New Year!!!