The Tiger Lilies

For various reasons, I haven’t worked out in over 18 months. I’ve tried to get back on the treadmill a few times, but with no success. Now that my little guy is big enough to survive the flesh-eating bacteria that is probably crawling all over the gym nursery’s floor, I’m going to try the Couch to 5K training program. This is a training schedule that is designed for those of us that have literally been “on the couch” and now want to run a 5K. (30 little minutes, a 3 mile run)

So here is my motivation:

#1 My cousin, who has two children, is currently running her brains out and I’m competitive.

#2 I get winded picking my child up from the crib.

#3 Vanity strikes again; I’m all flab.

So here’s how it all went down; Couch to 5K, Day 1:

Last night at a baby shower I was finishing my second cookie and a Pioneer Woman stuffed mushroom when my two new friends, Courtney and Rebecca, invited me to come “jog” with them at Gold’s Gym. “Gold’s Gym?”, I asked as I licked my fingers, savoring the last bite of cream cheese. Oh right, I’m a member of Gold’s Gym- although the last time I darkened that door, it was Aspen Gym. (I believe the changeover happened months ago.) “I’d love to actually get a little bit out of my 15 year, $100,000 membership!” I joked.

But now I was in- so the baby and I headed out this morning to Gold’s. (That’s what the “regulars” call it.)

Upon arrival, I dropped my baby off in the sea of infection (the nursery) with reluctance but determination. A few of the 40 kids in there were screaming, but the two teenage girls behind the desk seemed un-phased so wished the baby luck and didn’t look back.

I climbed up on the treadmill and informed my two new friends that it wasn’t personal, but I wouldn’t be talking with them anymore. I would have to concentrate to breathe and that talking would complicate that endeavor. The Couch to 5K training guide explains that on week one, you should alternate 60 seconds of running with 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. So I skipped week one, naturally.

Week two alternates 90 seconds of running with 2 minutes of walking. I could do this. After all, I’ve run one marathon and two half marathons in my life, this would be easy. Right. Cue the following: head spinning, side cramps, blurred vision and gasping for air.

Half way through, I decided that if my son had a problem and the sea of infection called, I would need access to my cell phone which was on the floor. As I left the treadmill to retrieve the cell phone, Courtney thought I had fallen off. (Evidence of how taxed I probably looked at this point.) I assured her that I was fine and continued my 90 seconds/ 2 glorious minutes alternation.

I began playing little mind games with myself to keep motivated. (This is something I’ve always done as a runner, keeping myself going when the going-gets-tough.)

First, I found the prettiest 20 something in the place, who was wearing an OSU hat, and pretended that we were in a contest to see who could work out the hardest. This motivation lasted only so long.

Next, I turned on some tunes to get me pumped up. Unfortunately, I had to borrow my husband’s iPod shuffle because mine was not charged. I endured a few Journey songs sprinkled with maybe a Led Zeppelin number until a Black Eyed Peas song finally came on. Even Boom Boom Pow began to drag and I had to find something else.

By this time, I saw the creepy, and mustached 50-something giving me the eye from the elliptical machine across the way. (Or maybe he was just concerned about me, but either way, he took a quick look.) This one helped because now I was running from him. 

All in all, it finally ended when Courtney’s daughter brilliantly needed something from the nursery. Courtney’s name was called over the loud speaker, and I was off the treadmill.

Thankfully, I finished the Couch to 5K “Day 1″ and made it to my car without passing out. Tiger Lilies to all of you that have worked out post-baby. It’s damn hard. Here’s to hoping “Day 2″ is a little easier.

Sunset at Deason Manor

So here is the follow up to my previous post, The House that Matt Built, Part I. We have finally finished some of the other rooms in the house and so… here is the “unveil.” I’m not going to write as much detail on this post, but if you wanted any information on where we found some of these items, tile, carpet, light fixtures, etc. please comment on the blog and I’ll get back to you.
Also, thanks for all of your comments on Part I. I have adjusted the living room bookshelves, per your input, and have included the updated results at the very end of this post. Thanks to everyone for your feedback!

Back Porch Furniture, maybe it will cool off and we can actually sit out there!

Plants before the Sun took their lives

Ta-Da! We actually have a dining room table!

Master Bed with my purple pillows!

I give all the credit to Stacy Nance, Stacy Nance Interiors.

My favorite light fixture, in the Master.

My "office." We call it the "Nook." (Off the Master)

Check out the Rough Neck Paddle, thanks to my thieving Grandad. (circa- 1939.)

Master Bath

My side.

Master Shower

Master Shower

Guest Room Bathroom

Guest Bath

Baby's Room

My favorite room.

Shower Curtain- West Elm

Kid's Bath

Lil Momenti Rug in Kid's Bath

New and Improved

Whew. Thanks for letting me show off all of Stacy’s hard work. (Although I do take credit for the nursery.) Maybe in 2020 we will have some pictures of the actual guest room and Matt’s study. I, unfortunately, did not make room in the budget for those two spaces, but it gives me projects for the future!

Omne Trium Perfectum. Everything that comes in threes is perfect. In fact, three seems to be the magic number. Think about it: The third time’s the charm. The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Musketeers. The Tricolon Crescendo. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

Lately, as I’ve been counting my blessings, I’ve come to find that there are three types of friends that everyone needs to have: 1) An Old Friend  2) A Mentor Friend and 3) An Everyday Friend.

So here’s a Tiger Lily Tribute to this Trio.

1) My Old Friend: Carrie

When I wanted to quit at White Rock

Although I have many “old friends,” Carrie fits the “Old Friend” blueprint perfectly. To begin, she and I have very similar foundations–an absolute must-have in old friend-credentials. In fact, Carrie and I  grew up next door to each other. Our fathers have similar personalities and we both swear our mothers could achieve Sainthood when they finally depart. We both have a brother and a sister, and we both had black toy poodles growing up.

But having similar foundations is only one characteristic of a good old-friend blueprint. The next characteristic is acceptance. While old friends may start with the same foundations, their exteriors may begin to look very different over time. What becomes important in old friend-construction is the acceptance of these differences, and in time, these differences create a beautiful symmetry. Carrie’s an artist and I have a degree in technical writing. She loves to cook and I love to have it catered. She’s a great listener and I’m really good at talking about myself. But as old friends, we are great together.

We find the same ridiculous things hilarious and don’t mind making fools of ourselves at any time– just ask our husbands. We both dream a little bigger than we should and both get disappointed when those dreams don’t become reality. We can be ourselves, our true selves, around each other, and still like one another at the end of the day.

So here’s to Carrie! Someone who is just like me, not at all like me, and likes the real me all the time.

2) My Mentor Friend: Traci

Traci is second from the right. (Next to me.)

Although people always talk about needing to “find a mentor,” I think the real mentor-mentee relationships just become. It’s not something you can officially force, it’s something that just manifests one day. This happened to me in 2003 when I interviewed for a job with Pfizer. The clouds parted, the doves sang and I was paired with Traci for the field-ride portion of my interview.

She was so poised, so talented and just one tiny step ahead of me in life. It was the perfect timing and a perfect fit.

I started out learning about business from Traci, but quickly began learning a lot about life from her. That poise I saw in her the first day we met was not just a Pfizer thing. She’s taught me about make-up, skin care, hair dos and nail polish. I’ve learned about literature, cardiovascular health and even how to raise a son. Traci will always be teaching me something and I will always be learning and making her laugh at my inexperience. It’s a great friendship to have when you need some advice from someone whose been there.

Traci, thanks for being my Mentor Friend. Here’s to spilling my hot tamales during the sex scenes and you shaking your head while hiding your snicker.

3) My Everyday Friend: Stacy

At Mount Magazine

Stacy and I became friends thanks to Theta- our college sorority. It sounds so cliché, but we truly are just like sisters. We like all of the same things, we do everything together and see or talk to each other almost every day. It’s that everyday friendship where we can ride in the car together without talking and neither of us is uncomfortable in the least.

Stacy makes the perfect Everyday Friend because for one, we live so close to each other. Her house is about a two-minute drive from mine and we both burn up the road in-between the two. Secondly, Stacy is loyal to the core, despite my flaws, which she knows probably better than anyone. Loyalty is essential in an everyday friendship because you will inevitably know the good, the bad, and the ugly. And lastly, Stacy and I have the best talks- and all the time. We talk about everything and I never doubt she is authentic. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.

Here’s to my everyday friend. You are someone I’m so glad to be around all of the time. I’ll probably text you about this later.

While I’m lucky to be able to say that these three ladies aren’t my only friends, I’m also lucky to say that my life couldn’t be more perfect because of them. I highly recommend abiding by The Rule of Three when it comes to friendship.