Downsizing.

This is going to sound incredibly ... jerkish.  Maybe.

I used to be the gal in the office that had a gift for everyone.  The last couple years I have knitted scarves for everyone, knitted wash cloths, made individual goodies, given them spices, and last year I believe everyone got calendars.  I'm not talking one or two folks here... I'm talking 15+.

I should state that I don't give gifts to get gifts - but maybe a "thank you" would be nice.  In some cases, I worked for hours and hours to bring you a nice gift.  You, should maybe, offer some thanks.

This year -  I am limiting my Christmas Cheer.  I'm downsizing.  Big Time.  It gets kind of old - to ALWAYS be the one that goes the extra mile.  I'm not in the mood to be overly thoughtful this year.  I'm sticking to family and close friends, and if the rest of you are bent that I didn't provide you with a holiday gift, by all means, I'll forward you the youtube video that teaches you how to knit.

For you know what they say, "give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."  The same applies to scarves, for reals.

Christmas Songs - The Remix.

Last night, I was finishing up (or okay maybe working through) my Christmas cards.  Shiloh was on the couch watching TV when I burst out with, "You better not pout, you better not cry, you better not holler; I'm telling you why!"

Shiloh scoffs at my rendition.  "Andrea, they DO NOT say holler."

"In the Andrea Remix version they do..."
"That is ridiculous, it's CRY"
"but I already said that!"
"Well, obviously you don't know your Christmas songs."

I do not have a way with lyrics.  I know parts of lots of songs, and the other parts I make up.  I come by it naturally though (Take me down to the bare-ass city - I'm looking at you Dedra).  I figure, as long as your singing who cares if you get it right.  We aren't auditioning for American Idol, right? 

You thought it was "dirty deeds and dunder chief" too?  Phew.

May your day be remixed!

Andrea

Hanging up my apron.

It hasn't been an easy choice, but one that I needed to make.

After January, I will no longer be a Pampered Chef consultant.  I'm hangin' it up. 

In 2012, I am going to spend more time doing things I love and being with people I enjoy.  While I love to cook - I just didn't enjoy spending so much time away from home (especially since I travel so much with my real work, anyhow).  It was fun at the beginning, but I started to feel like people ran when they saw me coming (and no one wants to feel like that).

I'll still be able to hook you up in a pinch (I think I have a six month grace period), and if you are just dying to have a show - you have until the end of January (or you'll have to be on my super duper special list).

*big breath* Ah, I feel so much better having announced this.  Now, I can focus on running, knitting, watching whodunits, and maybe the occasional road trip with Shiloh (Jesus, help me).

May your day be filled with relief.

Andrea

This is my excuse!

I know that people say, "no excuses."  BUT - sometimes, sometimes they are legit.

I have many friends that want me to join them at their favorite exercise class: zumba, kickboxing, step class, hip hop aerobics, and yoga.  Here's the thing.  I know my limitations (we all have them).  I cannot follow directions in a class.  I get all jumbled up, when people are on their left I'm on my right, when they zig I zag, when they're up I'm down (if you had PE with me as a child you may remember my awesome abilities) - It really isn't pretty.  My brain short circuits - so I sit out. (or rather, run my buns off).

Need a visual.  Please, watch the video below.  I find it hilarious, because THAT, my friends, is me... in ANY sort of exercise class.

May your day be filled with grace and elegance that I don't have,

Andrea

Things Shiloh LOVES - or - the hazards of living with Andrea.

Shhhhh, I am not supposed to blog about Shiloh.  However, he doens't know *how* to find my blog and I am thinking this will be our little secret.

Let me start off by saying "he started it."  Everytime I am in the kitchen making a fuss, Shiloh sneaks around the corner and scares me.  I hear him about 80% of the time, so I can just calmly turn around and say, "nice try Mr. Walkswithaheavyfoot".  The other times he gets me, and not too long ago he got me pretty good.  Since I was all nice and sore from running 26.2 miles - getting scared really felt good.  Have sore muscles?!? I know the trick, let's give them a huge shot of adrenaline and squeeze the everloving life out of them.  They love it.  It feels awesome.

So, I told Shiloh that it was ON!!  I told him that he was never going to be able to relax again.  We both know that I am lighter on my feet, and that he is more vulnerable than I am.  So, you got me this time Shiloh, but I will *own* you in this game!!!

It's Sunday morning.  Shiloh is in the bathroom.  Andrea spots the door closure from miles away (really only a couple feet).  Andrea sneaks quitely to the door.  With all her might she pounds furiously on the closed door, and runs away.  As I am giggling in a far off corner I can hear *god damnit* from the bathroom.  Hilarious. 

Later I got a "was that really necessary".  It was, oh, it sooooo was.

It is on my friends, and this, this is only the beginning.

The Trials of Getting Home.

After six days in Vegas - I was pretty ready to come home.  I think any time after four days in that place takes a few years off the end of your life. (However, I was able to stay at the new Cosmopolitan, and it was fancy!)

So, Katie and I get to the airport early - with lots of time to spare (hooray OCD you saved me this time).  I go to check in, and the computer thingy can't find my reservation.  That is pretty normal - so I head to talk to the lady at the desk.  I give her all my information, and she begins typing away.  I think I hear her mutter, "well, this isn't good." 

She gives me the news.  The idiot gate agent in Spokane, while trying to upgrade my seat from Seattle to Las Vegas (six whole days ago) - decided to go ahead and cancel the Las Vegas to Seattle portion of my trip.  Awesome.  Sooooo appreciated that, in fact, I wish I could thank her in person with a punch to the face.  Did I mention the flight was SOLD OUT?!?!  She couldn't get me a seat, but she could get me a first class seat on the 6:00 pm flight - we were there at 9:00 am.  At this point I am very very close to meltdown mode.

I am told that I will be put on standby, and I should plead my case to the gate agent.  Katie and I make our way to the depths of the airport.  Both a little shocked that something like this could even happen.  How could someone cancel my flight without A. telling me B. my permission C. knowing???  *shakes fist*.

As I am sitting next to the gate, on the phone with Alaska Air - I hear the gate agent tell another gentleman that the flight is almost checked in full, and there is probably no way *ANYONE* will be getting on.  I think tears start to form, and I am pretty sure my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

After raising a ruckus, offset by a little begging and pleading, I finally get a seat on the plane.  Good news, I get to sit next to Katie.  Bad news, it's a middle seat and the man I am initially next to is a giant.  He eventually figures out that he is in the wrong seat, and a Canadian with his half marathon medal around his neck takes his place.

Did I mention I left my headphones in my checked bag??  Longest. Flight. Ever.

Viva Las Vegas!!!

I didn't really give up on blogging so much as it just got moved to the back burner.  However, I am back!! ... and please excuse the grammar.

Now, let's talk about Vegas and of course the Marathon. 

I cannot believe that it has only been a week since my adventure.  I, of course, can still physically feel the effects.  I really didn't think it would take this long.  I kinda expected to be normal in a couple days.  Coach says it takes a day for every mile you race; I'm hoping to be done with this crud in a couple more days. 

So, on to the starting line.  I was nervous, terrified, excited, worried, and most of all I had to pee - like, eight times.  Once we started, though - I was able to just zone out (except for running next to Elvis - that was weird.)  I didn't have my head phones in, and the roar of the crowd was so very inspiring.  I knew that I had to take it slow, no need to rush off the line only to crash later.  So, I held back and fell into my groove. 

The first half of the race was wonderful.  It all just clicked along.  At one point, I saw the leader doubling back - that is a sight to behold.  It was animalistic and graceful at the same time.  I am fairly certain his feet didn't touch the ground.

The second half of the race is where the action began.  You see, there were 6,000 full marathoners and 38,000 half marathoners.  Word is, there was trouble with the start of the half and everyone got bunched up.  Once the full joined the half - I wanted to hurt someone.  You see, the halfers were supposed to stay on the right and the fulls on the left, but that would have been too easy.  So, everyone was everywhere.  I had to duck and weave, and jump on and off the sidewalks, and stop and start.  People would cut you off only to start walking a couple feet later.  I saw one lady get pushed to the ground... it was ugly.  My legs began to turn to jello around mile 22 - not because I wasn't ready for this, but I wasn't ready to tackle the stopping and starting (oh, and the jumping.)  If you run, you know, that in long distances if you lose your pace and rhythm, it's not coming back.

Not only did we have people who had a little trouble understanding the "rules" - the water stops were dry from mile 19-26, not good.  Okay, okay - not 100% dry - I was able to scoop my own water out of a trash can that had about 3 inches of water left in it, and countless cooties.  I have heard over the last few days that several people were sick from "tainted water" - I can't even imagine.

If you were following me, and wondered how I went from a 9:30 steady pace to finishing in 4:24:36 (which is still pretty damn good in my book) it is because of all the challenges.  I do feel that I am pretty ready for anything running can throw at me, now.  I got all the adventures out in my first marathon.  Once I crossed the finish line - I was a mess.  All tears.  I was so happy to see Katie JG at the end of the race - I needed that big hug.  My first words, through tears, "that was horrible, I want to do it again!!"

I can't tell you how much all your cheers, texts, FB posts, and calls meant to me.  I basically have the most wonderful group of friends and family anyone could ever ask for.  Plus, the finishers medal was pink and sparkly (it was like they designed it for me!!)

My body is tired, my feet will never be the same, the shoes will be retired, and my pictures have been lost.  Running has gotten into my blood, and will forever be part of who I am and how I define myself.  Now, on to the next race...  maybe another full in May?? 

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!