My, how things have changed

I've reached a new stage in my life. Let me tell you about it.

The other day, I went out and bought some new workout pants. I went to Winner's and tried on a pair of tight, dark grey, capri stretch pants. They felt absolutely amazing. My arse looked fantastic in them and I felt all trim and lovely while wearing them. So I thought to myself "I'm sold!" and took them off to change back into my jeans.

And that's when I saw it.

The tag on my soon-to-be new workout pants that said: "tummy control". The reason I looked so awesome in those workout pants was because they were controlling my tummy. And this is the new life stage I've reached.

The stage where tummy control is ever necessary - even when working out in relaxing, comfy clothing. The stage where my tummy NEEDS controlling to look good. The stage where I can no longer just wear any style, cut, fabric, etc. and I'll look great in it.

I don't feel shame though. Nope... Even though I have no excuse for a slightly-out-of-control tummy, like birthing a few children. No - there is no shame felt. You know why? Because I'm okay with myself. And that's really all that matters.

So here's to all the women out there who need a little help hiding their imperfections. And to the creator of tummy control garments... you're a genius.

See the domestic robot in action!

Is it incredibly nerdy that I'm a fan of routine and order?

I already know the answer to that question. Yes. Yes it is.

This morning, I got up out of bed, shuffled my way around the dark bedroom and into my workout clothes so I could head to the gym. This was part 1 of my morning routine.

Part 2 - come home from the gym, immediately go upstairs and shower. After showering, follow these steps precisely: towel off, moisturize face, moisturize legs and arms, put leave-in conditioner in hair, dry hair, apply deodorant, leave bathroom to go get dressed.

After getting dressed, I went downstairs for part 3. Breakfast. Every day it consists of me making egg whites and cereal (either oatmeal or special K - this is the only variation I tend to have in my morning), going downstairs to watch a little Breakfast Television while eating, going upstairs after eating, giving cat her treats, rinsing dishes, taking my multivitamin and going upstairs to brush teeth and apply makeup.

This is how I spend every single morning. I don't deviate. I don't change things up.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a little anal nerd that does everything in an OCD way (think: Tom Hanks in "Turner and Hooch"). I'm really not that person. But I absolutely love routine. I inexplicably adore routine.

I actually think I might be part humanoid. Following order every day - not mindlessly, but not straying from schedule either. This is what I do.

So does that make me a nerd?

I already know the answer to that question. Yes. Yes it does.

La Familia

Okay, it's been long enough. Time to blog again.

I was away for the weekend on my first all-family trip since I was 16. My mom, dad, brother, hubby, my parents' dog Duffy and I all packed ourselves into one van and drove for 6 hours to visit my uncle, aunt and cousins. Several bathroom (and timbits and tea) stops later, we made it there.

It was great being with my familial counterparts again. It had been a while since I had seen my cousins and it was nice to reconnect.

However, I have to say that thanks to Facebook, I've felt up-to-date with the fam. Many people have issues with staying in touch over a web site, but honestly - I know what's going on in their lives and they know what's going on in mine. It's an easy, no-pressure way to keep in touch (especially for non-phone people like me).

Oh - and while there, my mom, cousins and I ran a couple of races. You know - no big deal.

Calling all people in need of a freelancer...

Whenever hubby and I get back from a trip to the cottage (and by "the cottage" I mean one of the cottages that we do NOT own, but manage to finagle an invite to), hubby immediately starts checking MLS for cottages we can buy.

Then he starts asking me questions like "If we weren't living where we are - where could you see yourself living?" And after 11 years together, I know that secretly he really wants me to answer "Up north in the middle of nowhere so we can live off the earth like mountain men."

So... that leads me to believe that one day, we will probably be living up north. Maybe not like mountain men. But up in cottage country, where the hubster will probably be happiest. (Especially in his old age as he gets crotchetier and crotchetier).

And THAT leads me to believe that I need to start building up my freelance work so that I can still make money whilst living in the middle of nowhere.

In all honesty, that's what I ideally want to be doing one day. Living the life of a freelance writer... making enough money to get by comfortably, but also having the flexibility to have a family and be at home more.

So... yeah. If you know anyone in need of a freelance writer (in advertising specifically) - call me up! My hubby thanks you in advance.

Happy happy, joy joy!

I was about to write a whiny blog and then I realized that people actually read my stuff from time-to-time. And the only thing worse than a whiny blog is a whiny blog at the start of a new work week.

So, instead this blog is going to be all sunshine and lollipops. Yep... nothing but a pocketful of happiness. That's what this blog is all about. Yes, sir. Happy happy, joy joy!

Hmm... I'm losing interest in this whole joyful thing.

I'd sort of rather rant about my recent unexplainable outbreak of little pimples or my lack of sleep last night or about the big welt on my arm that won't go away. I'm so hard done by.

Alright... enough of that. On to bigger and better things. Like making it through a very taxing 3-day work week. (Hurrah for long weekends and vacation days!)

That's about all I've got.

More stuff

If the fact that humans use selt belts on their beer but not their children wasn't evidence enough that the universe is truly messed up - here are a few other fun facts to prove my point:

• Yesterday's "most read" story on the The Toronto Star website was "How much cleavage is too much".
• The second most read story was "Is American beer any good?" (Okay, I admit - beer is an interesting subject... but with all that's going on in the world... THIS is what people are reading the most??)
• Polar bears are now officially endangered. That photo makes me want to cry.

In the shadow of beer

So I was walking down the subway platform this morning and glanced up to check out the TV screen that displays news. I happened to look up just in time to read this:

"Man fined $710 for buckling beer case into back seat, but not child."

Wha???? Oh. My. Goodness.

Even I (a true lover of the delicious, delicious ale) cannot condone this kind of behaviour.

When this dude was buckling up his precious case of beer did he not happen to catch a glimpse of HIS CHILD in the seat next? Did the thought not even enter his head that if his beer should be buckled up to prevent breakage, perhaps his own flesh and blood could use the same consideration??

I honestly worry about the future of our world. I mean, how can this kid grow up to be normal?? This poor child is going to live his or her life feeling that he'll never be as good as his Dad's case of beer. It's not like this kid has an older sibling to live up to. No, no... he's got to live in the shadow of beer.

There were times when I was a kid that I thought my Mom and Dad loved my big brother more. I thought I couldn't compare to my bro. in their eyes. But I knew one thing for sure. I knew that if it came to a pint of Stella or me... I would be the one they chose to love and protect.

This kid's self-esteem is doomed.

I did it!!

So the race is over!!

Good things about race day:
1. The atmosphere is SO exciting!
2. The people watching from the sidelines are so supportive and encouraging
3. Crossing the finish line and seeing my husband, brother and parents-in-law there to cheer me on was fantastic
4. I have such a sense of accomplishment now - I ran a half baby!!

Bad things about race day:

1. The shooting pain in my leg began at kilometer 4 (which was unfortunate since I still had 17 kilometers to run)
2. My body is obviously mad at me and wants me to rest (so I will)

But in the end, I did it. I ran my first half marathon race. Woo hoo!!

Three things:

1. It's Friday. Hurrah! I love Fridays. Tonight I'll be having tacos with the hubby and going to see a movie. Perfection! (It doesn't take much to please me).

2. When I think too much about Sunday, I freak out a little bit. Honestly, it's overwhelming to actually think about how far and how long that half marathon race will be.

3. Thank goodness for good friends. I've had many people offer me some great advice for my first half. And my friend M. has been calling to check in and see how I am. How friggin' sweet!

Musings

Things I have learned about being 29 so far:

• Beer is only a part-time friend. I consider the lovely ale to be my bosom buddy... but sadly, it's only my friend in the moment, while being consumed. The next morning, beer is NOT my friend. Not my friend.

• 29 is borderline too old to go out drinking until the wee hours of the morning when you have to work the next day.

• Wednesday is not the new Thursday. No matter what the hipsters of today tell me.

That is all.

4 months of training. 4 days to go.

What's on my mind today... what's on my mind... hmmm...

Oh, you know... nothing much... just the HORRIBLE PAIN IN MY LEG AFTER RUNNING ONLY 3KM LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!

This does not bode well for my 21KM race on Sunday.

Here's a quick synopsis of my sitch: I've been having leg pain (not horrible, gotta-stop-running pain, but leg pain) for a while. It started in my calf, then moved up to my hamstring and along my IT band. So - my calf is totally fine now. My hamstring is pretty much okay - my IT band hurts though. I've been seeing a specialist and he's helping me out... but I'm not completely better yet.

All I want to do is reach my goal of running the race on Sunday. And so far, I've been all "Oh yeah - I can do it! I totally can do it!" But now... after running 3km last night and having major issues... I'm not so sure.

Okay, so before this blog turns completely whiney, I've just gotta ask everyone reading this to send good running wishes my way on Sunday.

I'm praying to the god of IT bands and good running days.

The count down...

5 days until RACE DAY!!!!!!

Half marathon... here I come.

We need to talk

I had one of those long, long, long conversations with my friend and co-worker E yesterday. (We were making the 5 hour drive home from Ottawa - a little tired, a little hungover and had nothing to do but talk). It was really, really nice.

I love those talks. They don't happen a lot (when does anyone have time for a 5 hour conversation anymore??). But that's what makes them so good. The rarity of those talks. Where you just keep sharing, thinking, questioning, laughing and telling until you're pretty sure there's nothing else to talk about.

I'm thankful for the little things.

Actually, when I think about it - there's nothing little about good friends and great conversation.

Off to Capital City

I have to start this blog by saying: Can I get a 'whoaaaaa.... Friday!!'

The weekend will commence at exactly 4pm today. That's when I leave for a small girly weekend away (to Capital City... Ottawa) with friends. I've been kind of giddy all week. I think I've been in need of a little getaway for a while. Or, as Bridget Jones calls it, a "mini-break".

Nothing overly elaborate is planned... but I get quality time with good girlfriends, great conversation, a few great meals and of course, some spirits will be consumed. I don't think it could be better.

My male co-worker is convinced that there will be many pillow-fights while we're wearing only our undies and some "accidental kissing". I didn't really have the heart to tell him that that never, ever, ever happens during girls weekends (well, it doesn't happen among the women I know).

Anyway, bring on the weekend. I think it's going to be good for my soul.

I feel a whole "ya-ya sisterhood" type thing coming on.

TGIT

Thursday at long last. For some reason, I love Thursdays. I think it's because there's only one more day of suffering through work until it's FRIDAY and then, the weekend. Precious, precious weekend.

Today, I started my Thursday off with a run. And I think I'll end it with some relaxation on the couch at home with the hubster.

Bliss.

Enjoy it, everyone.