No Place Like Home

This past weekend, Lisa, Baby B and I headed back to Kansas for a much-needed reunion. And even though we didn’t get to see stars up in the sky, we still had our Mi Ranchito, Mama/Papa Z day, and surviving on Peanut Butter M&Ms traditions.

“Oh, you’re the best friends anybody ever had. And it’s funny, but I feel as if I’d known you all the time, but I couldn’t have, could I?” — Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

Rockin’ a new Spring ‘do at Kati’e Belated Birthday Celebrations

Baby B getting her Jayhawk shopping on

Nights of Glee

A trip. A movie premiere. Finishing a great book. A date. Seeing family and friends. A concert. Whatever it is, I find myself in a complete state of glee the eve of a day when something fun, stellar or amazing is about to go down. I lay in bed like it’s First Day of School Eve. Tossing and turning and smiling and unable to think about anything than that specific greatness awaiting.

Hell, even the promise of a sunny day from the Weather Channel gets me amped. Just the mere idea of what tomorrow holds doesn’t give me anxiety, it gives me excitedness and eagerness. And I find it hard to harness.

Needless to say, this is pretty much me all day, every day:

*Last night’s glee totally tied to the KC trip to see the Kansas family*

 

 

Irish Eyes are Smiling

Over the years, I’ve heard of St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the South side. As there are a ton of Irish living in the area, I knew I needed to make the journey one day.

Amanda has proven she’s more than just a friend you want to travel with, she’s the one who finds you random things in the city to do. Case in point: she got us on a wagon, pulled by Clydesdales, in the South Side Irish Parade.

Despite the rain/drizzle and cold temps, we had an absolute blast working out our arms and cheeks as we waved to kids and parents donning tweed hats and Irish fisherman sweaters. Plus, we had bagpipers right in front of us during the parade line-up.

We’ll do it all again this weekend during the downtown Irish parade. And for the very first time, I’ll see the river turn green instead of just catching the “aftermath” on Monday morning while going into work. I’ll find any and all excuses to wear my Irish Drinking socks straight from the Emerald Isle and sing “Galway Girl.”

Obviously I can get behind gal pals that love Eire

Down ‘n Dirty

With the theme of unusual 5k races, we completed the Dirty Girl Mud Run at the beginning of the month out in Grayslake. It was hot, muddy and actually, a lot of fun. Some of the obstacles were just down right painful (climbing through mud that sat atop gravel and concrete…ouch) and others brought out my he-man strength (still amazed how quickly I climbed over that wall). And we did it all with devil horns. Want to see if there’s one coming your way? Check out Pretty Muddy Mud Run.

Dirt Devils: Suck it up. #makeitcount

The aftermath

Color Me Happy

A little belated, but here are some photos from the Color Run. It was ever so fantastic, despite the fact that the green did not wash out of my armpits or belly button for more than a few days. Note to self: Don’t run through the color bomb areas with your arms up and mouth wide open. Quite unpleasant.

In keeping with the theme of doing 5ks that get messy, this Sunday, we’re doing the Go Dirty Girl Mud Run. It should be a hot one, but with two of my Color Run buddies, I know it will be nothing short of a hoot. We’re The Dirt Devils.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It is Written

It’s official. Last Wednesday, November 30, I sat in The Hidden Shamrock with some of my best gal pals as I cranked out 3k words to complete my NaNoWriMo challenge. As the open mic gal sang “What a Wonderful World,” I punched in my last word and victory was mine. Along with a celebratory night with the gals.

After NaNoWriMo, I vowed to edit my novel all this month and start sending out once it’s completed. And I stand by it.

The support I had over the past month was overwhelming. It came from everyone who wanted to hear my story and I know without them, I wouldn’t have achieved it. People at work checked in daily, and sometimes hourly, to see where I was on my word count. As the midnight hour approached on last Wednesday, a plethora of congratulatory texts came through, making me realize that this goal wasn’t just about me. But naturally, I’ll go through my thank list in the acknowledgements to the book.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Some R&R

Retreating to Colorado for some much needed time with my gal pals. Looking forward to taking residence in the Allen Cabin-sion in Breckenridge while checking out Lisa’s new digs in The Springs. Ah, vacay, you look splendid.