Beaded Yellow Bird Reports This Week's Business

Hi there, folks!  E. Vile Tweety here, blogging in for Reffie and Evil Twin.  "E" as in heck-if-I-know but Reffie told me the Vile is because I'm a messy birdie, squeezing thru the bars of my cage and pooping all over the place.

Reffie, Evil Twin, and Hubby are going away for awhile.  Reffie said something about white coats so it must be cold and dark where they are going.

I SAID COAST, YOU SILLY BIRD!

Sheesh.  What is with her today?

Anybirdie, here's my mug shot: 

 Aren't I a Purdy Birdie?

I taut I taw a Puddy Tat.  Whoa.  I did.  I did.

I can't imagine what that tart did for those beads.

And what's with dis dude?  

Show-off!

"Puddy Tat, stop swatting at those feathers!"

That silly thing.  I also caught her going after Reffie's Finisher Medal from Sunday's Cowtown Half Marathon.  Bad Kitty!  Reffie worked hard to finish that race.  She said it felt like summer with warm temps, high humidity and a brisk southern breeze in her face as she had to climb a Texas mountain at mile 9.    Even so, she eked out a personal best and has been stuck on herself for the last few days.  Two years ago it was 27 degrees with a brisk northern breeze and she complained about that, too.  There is NO pleasing that girl.

Evil Twin is very excited about Mardi Gras.  She has been reviewing some wicked margarita recipes and is ready for the party.  She insisted we all wear those shiny chains around our necks.   Sheesh.  That's just something else to drive that despicable black furry beast nuts.    She also said she hopes that you get the bird when you eat the King Cake.  Hearing this is deeply disturbing.

THE BABY, YOU STUPID YELLOW FEATHERY APPETIZER!

Baby?  Oh, my.  That is truy evil.  

Oh, I get it now.  E.Vile is evil.

Hey....

Superbowls of Gently Glazed Something

The snow and ice melted last Friday and Saturday.  The weather was great for the Super Bowl which probably helped with the traffic and the tailgating parties but the lid (roof) was closed so it had no effect on the game.   That just seems wrong.  It's football, folks!

Military jets did a flyover after Christina's interesting version of the national anthem.  Hum.... Maybe they showed the flyover on the recently upgraded video boards?

Giggle.

Over the weekend, the geek household enjoyed the opportunity to leave the house and get a few errands done.  It's non-stop fun around here when the truck gets inspected and the storm drain gets cleared.  Hubby and I were down on our hands and knees digging out mud, miscellaneous unidentifiable bones, and grass roots from this stubborn but effective storm drain.  Finally, the water starting coming through forming a small but unwanted watering hole.  The highlight of this adventure was Hubby creating a vacuum in a hose with an air compressor to start the flow of water out of the watering hole.  That's right.  Hubby understands Physics!

Um, yeah.  I can spell Physics.

The week starts again and we Texans are out and about with silly grins on our faces wearing light jackets and driving around on leftover sand.

Until today.  There is nasty white stuff on our streets.  Something that resembles snow but is more like sleet.  And it's cold and windy again.  WTF (FROSTING)?

Enough already.  Evil Twin has appealed to Old Man Winter and that fat furry rodent that didn't see its shadow on February 2nd.  Texas is tired of cold and this sorry excuse for snow that glazes our streets. Actually, I think Evil Twin is roasting that rodent while I'm typing this post.   She went out earlier.  I hope she was able to grab the yappy mutt that bit me on Sunday when I was out running.  Fortunately, only one of its nasty little fangs left a hole in my leg.  Ouch.

I should probably go check on her progress.  I'm getting hungry.

As for yappy mutts with fangs, got pepper spray? 

Big Texans and Wild Horses Should Have Kept Me Away

I was reading an article in the paper about a Texas woman who was told by an airline that she had to buy two seats because she was too big to fit in a single seat.    She said she was surprised and embarrassed by this situation and said something similar to "People are bigger in Texas".

Um.....EXCUSE ME?

Just because she is from Texas and she is big, she thinks everyone from Texas is big? 

Um....no.  This woman obviously needs to get out more.  Yes, I see BIG PEOPLE here in Texas but I sure see a lot of BARBIE STICKS, too.

SHEESH!

Ah, for the smell of freshly watered brown grass...

According to the calendar, it's still spring.   It's supposed to rain in spring.   Mother Nature is obviously confused.  Yes, I truly believe she is going through the THE CHANGE.....in more ways than one.

I do have a rose bush that is still green and hasn't caught on that it's too hot to bloom:

She's a beauty and she knows it.

Also, since my real cat has not come back, I'm having to make do with this beast:

About all he's good for is pushing up daisies......er....I mean Blue Daze!

Yes, he's cracked.  Although he has made it through winters before, I don't think he cared for this last one, with the 12-inch snow event in February.

I had my running legs handed back to me on a platter yesterday.  I ran a half marathon on concrete trails in heat/high humidity.  I can tell you that there is no flavor of humble pie that I like.  The only saving grace was the scenery.  We had some nice green stuff to look at, like trees and park grass that is over-watered daily.  There were a few small lakes and a polo field (!!) but then there there was this sculpture at the finish line:

Over-sized wild mustangs.  Cool.  I wished I had been riding one instead of running that race straight out of the Hades.

Photo credits: Ruby Red and Dazed Cat: Reffie, Las Colinas Mustang Sculpture: armstrks on flickr.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar).

Big Fish, Little Fish, and Bottom Feeders

You probably noticed that someone stole an hour from most of us over the weekend.  Yes, you lucky folks in Arizona and Hawaii still have your hour.  Wait.  Maybe you've been stealing them all along. 

THIEVES!

Off to the races...

After losing that hour and not being able to sleep all that well anyway, I somehow got out of bed Sunday morning for the St. Patrick's Day Triathlon.

The weather was nice.  There was no wind in the chilly transition area at 6:30 am when I arrived and arranged my stuff but I was glad when they let us inside the natatorium to hang around for the start of the race. 

Swimmers hit the water by 7:40 am and I listened to a dude playing bagpipes for over an hour before it was my turn to swim.  Can I have his lung capacity?

In the pool, I felt pretty good until the next to last leg.  That's when I encountered octopi.  No, these weren't critters recently escaped from the ocean, but they were men flailing about doing every stroke imaginable to stay afloat and to get ahead of the other guys (of course!).  There were hands and legs and bodies everywhere going nowhere. They completely blocked the swim lane so I had to invent a slither stroke to get around them.  SHEESH!

The exit ladder was a welcome sight.

  

After dripping my way through the transition area to my stuff and attempting to towel off,  I hopped on my bike for the next part of the race.

While on my ride, I saw a local elite runner out for her morning practice.  This woman chases cars for practice.  No, not really, but she does sprint half marathons. She reminds me of the Energizer Bunny and the vortex of energy around her is surely very powerful.  Her name is Fiona (what a pretty name) which I've conveniently changed to "Speedy Fi (fee)".  Maybe it's good her parents did not name her Phoebe.  "Speedy Phoebe" is just too hard to say.

I must learn to siphon her energy.  Too bad she was going the opposite direction or I might have asked her to carry me and my bike up the hill.

Finally, I finished the ride, found my stuff, racked my bike, took off my bike helmet (very important) and started the run.

But wait. What's this?  My feet were numb.  What the frozen tundra was that about?  Yes, it was chilly on the bike after being in the water but I didn't think I was that cold.  Apparently, I was.  That, and the fact that my brain said "send blood to quads, glutes, and hamstrings" over and over again for almost an hour.

The finish line was beautiful.  Hubby arrived just as the announcer called my name as I was crossing the line.  Hubby couldn't have planned that if he'd tried.   

I got me some pancakes, and no, they weren't green.

The lady with the green hair...

I wore my costume.  I had the shirt and skirt on for the bike ride and added the green hair and a hat for the run.  I received many comments, mostly from guys on bikes passing me saying "nice skirt".......

I certainly didn't mind.  A few of the ladies indicated that they liked my hair.    There weren't too many costumes so it must have been up to me to entertain folks!

The results are in....

Surprisingly, on the running part, I did quite well, coming in second in my age group.  For swimming, I need to advance from bottom feeder to at least little fishie drafting off big fishies in order to improve my swim time.  I improved my biking time by over 10 minutes.  I noticed something else, though.  My quads are about 1/3 the size of some of these ladies' quads.  That can be said for my butt, too, and that's a good thing!

Update: Although I'm happy with my run results, I placed very low in the swim and bike events so my overall result makes me somewhere between a bottom feeder and a little fish.  LOL.

I hope to have some photos soon.

Race Day, Slippers, and Slips

Thanks for the all the positive vibes and well wishes for my half marathon Saturday.  I had a great race....considering.  I felt good all the way although I was getting very tired on the last hill, a hill I never notice when I'm driving my car.   I finished one minute faster than my time last year.  I'm thrilled!

I almost didn't make it to the race.  Friday evening, as I was being a good little racing geek and preparing for bed around 10:00 PM,  I got a call from the Cajun state to the east where my mom was spending the week at a casino.  

Mom was in the Emergency Room (ER).    Evil Twin cheered. I slapped her silly and waited to hear what the ER nurse had to say.  

My poor mom collided with unforgiving concrete when a parking lot snake (in the form of a speed bump hump) reached up and grabbed her foot as she was hurrying to her car in the rain.  She couldn't catch herself and ended up with a goose egg on her forehead, a broken nose, and a very sore shoulder.  Her right eye was swollen shut for awhile and she has limited sight in that eye at this point.   She had no sight in the eye immediately after the accident.

Evil Twin was again rejoicing, this time at my poor mom's attempt to look like a raccoon.  Evil Twin was fed to the Lochness Monster in the Red River in Shreveport.  

Um.....wait.  Isn't Lochness in Scotland?

Oh well.

Mom is very sore all over.  Fortunately, she does not have a concussion. 

Needless to say, after getting the call Friday evening, I was not able to sleep.  I stayed up awhile and got additional information from the ER and encouraged them to admit Mom overnight for observation.  I finally fell asleep in the wee hours.  I really wasn't sure I would be racing the next morning or driving four hours to Shreveport, LA. 

Obviously, I raced.  I didn't stay for any post-race activities or even to wait for the guy running in house slippers and pajamas to finish.  I  headed home.  Hubby and I packed an overnight bag and hit the road.  To give ourselves me a little comfort, we made a quick stop for a yummy Tex-Mex post-race lunch on our way out of town.  I eased a little stress with some homemade flour tortillas!

Mom left the hospital this morning and we drove her back.  Hubby drove her car.  I folded my tall mother into my small/mid-size SUV buggy and off we went.  At least the weather was GOSH DERN gorgeous for our trip back.  

It was also nice that we were able to use her room last night at the casino so we had a place to stay.

I'm tired.  Hubby's tired.  Even Cat is tired and all he did was sleep, eat, pee and poop.  Evil Twin?  Who gives a flying flip?

Photo credit:  Ha ha!  Fooled you.  I DID NOT take a photo of my mom's face, unlike her sister who took a photo a couple of years ago when my mom passed out (at a cemetery) and hit head head and nose. Yeah, what a place to pass out.  At least it wasn't close to an open grave....

Speaking of Mom's sister, she had called my mom's house a day before the accident asking her if she was ok.  Hum......maybe she hired the parking lot snake.

A Dusting of Snow with a Side of Flamboyant Ice

Dear Mother Nature,

   I am writing to you again because you obviously did not understand my expression of frustration in my last letter.  Thanks a bunch for bringing another dusting of snow here in Texas.  Now I have powdered-sugared weeds.

  Your last dump broke my pine tree's arm.  

  You should be ashamed of yourself.  People think of Texas as a warm place with all of our salsas and spicy foods.  You are misleading them.  I think you and Climate Change must be sleeping together.

Signed,

Frozen Geek

Fortunately I think this latest dusting will be gone before I finish this post.

Hang on a sec.  Let me check.

...

Yep.  All gone.

Saturday is the Cowtown running event in Fort Worth.  I'm running the half-marathon again this year.  I will need all of your positive thoughts and remote cheers even if it sounds like a snore as I'm sure some of you will not even be thinking about opening an eyeball that early in the morning.

We have a chance for more wintry mix ick later this week and Saturday morning, the day of the race, is supposed to be 30 degrees.    BRRRR! They say we may have sunshine and I will be VERY HAPPY to see that.  Last year it was 28 degrees and cloudy, with gusty winds.    Yeah, three raspberries and a snot wad for you, Mother Nature!

Hubby and I have been watching the Olympics.  Hubby thought the Russian "Curlers" were hot.  I'm thinking Bode and Apollo are looking pretty good in their tight pants events.  We loved the new Ski Cross event and laughed ourselves silly at some of the skating costumes.  What are these people thinking?  Don't they know they are blog fodder?

 Dude, um,um.....

What-the-When-Hell-Freezes-Over are you wearing and your hair? 

AAAAAAAAHHHHHG!

 Oh, please.  They are from France.  Don't EVEN try.

Although.....can I try those boots on Sweetie?

Photo credits: Dandruff on yard: Reffie, 2010 Ice Dancing "borrowed" from the Vancouver Sun.

Let's Get this Season Started

Thanksgiving: PASS

So what's next?

Did you say Christmas?

Well, yeah, but I'll get to that later.

It's time to get my act together for the winter racing season. That's right. See Dick run. See Jane run. See Dick and Jane.....

Uh, ReformingGeek?

Yes?

Behave.

Dang.

What I'm trying to discuss is running. It's time for me to pick up the mileage and get ready for Cowtown 2010 in February. I'm planning on doing another half marathon. Finishing medal #2 of 5 has my name on it.

Well, not really, but it is part of a 5 piece set. I got the first one last year. These people know how to make money. If you miss a year, you can still order a "commemorative" medal for your collection.

Hum......ReformingGeek's brain is making clicking noises...



Anywhatsit, I told Hubby I was going to the park to run 8 miles. I offered him the opportunity of bringing his bike and riding circles around me screaming "Faster, Faster" but he declined. So what did he do instead?

He watched a movie. If you say anything about how he had time to watch a movie while I ran, I will throw something at you.

ReformingGeek sticks out tongue.

Sometimes, my evil twin makes appearances when I'm running.

We've had some nice weather lately and there were lots of folks at the park, including clueless kiddos on bikes. One of them passed me on his bike, giving me about six inches of space and then proceeded to stop right in front of me. AAAAAARRRRRGGGH!!!! Did this child not understand the laws of physics? I put my arm out to brace myself and it landed on his back. The poor thing probably thought I was shoving him. Evil Twin scolded him trying to quickly explain that one cannot do that and expect to survive.

ReformingGeek scolded me
and threw my bicycle in the creek.

No I didn't. Really. That's not even the same kid. He's too young to be on a bike. Sheesh!

Let's move on to Christmas, and yes, I'm OK with calling it Christmas. My friend and I went to see Santa. I know it's early but we were hoping to avoid the long lines. We sat in his lap and asked for stylish clothing and adult-sized bodies with boobies:


I can't wait to open gifts at Christmas this year...

Photo credits: sad child, theFrazers on flicker.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar), Santa's lap: Facebook application sponsored by RadioShack, Running Reffie, White Rock 15K July 2009

Run, Run, Run Away

Yesterday, I survived another race.

NASCAR you ask? Um, no. I'd probably crash at the first turn.

So you're an Indy girl? Um, no, but THAT would be cool.

I used my own two feet and ran.

Yes. I'm crazy just in case you were confused. We've had a break in the weather so we had temperatures in the 70's during the race instead of already hitting the mid-80's by the 7:30 am start time. They had sprinklers set up every few miles to cool us off, just in case we needed it.

This race was a 15K., 9.3 miles of screaming hamstrings bliss. These races can be somewhat entertaining. It's the people, of course. There was also a 5K event. Some of the folks you would think had never put on a pair of running shoes and these were the folks that think they need to line up in the front of the pack. You spend the first part of the race trying to get around them only to have one of them stop suddenly right in front of you. EEEEKKK!


Others you can tell had done this a thousand times. One girl was telling me about her last race, an Ultra-Marathon which is just way too many miles to talk about at this point. I wanted to whop her upside the head but I just smiled and said "wow". I'm nice like that sometimes.

While running these races, I leave the iPod and ear buds at home. I enjoy the sights and sounds of the course. The course was beautiful. It was basically a large loop around White Rock Lake in Dallas, including a construction area that smelled liked they dug up Hell's septic tank. I didn't see any dead bodies in the water, just a few old tires and some quacks ducks.

Nobody wore a funny hat or costume.

This is wrong in so many ways. Now where is Batman?

Nope. Not even that.

Most of the folks were wearing as little as possible, expecting very hot weather. Folks, let me tell you that there are some VERY SKINNY runners out there and many of them have boobs smaller than mine! THIS, I like. And, yes, there are guys out there with boobs larger than mine. Let's not go there.


Now for the sounds. I've noticed that woman will sometimes run in pairs. The first conversation I heard was all about caring for your infant. Zzzzzzzz. I tried so hard to tune it out and I was very happy that they passed me before they started talking about the poop.

Next, it was a group of about 5 people that were playing trivia. One guy asked the incredibly lame question of "Pick 5 people you would have at your dinner party" and the girl answered Oprah as the first person on the list. I starting feeling sick to my stomach. I'm sure that was the reason why. It can't be having to come to a complete stop to grab water at the inadequate water stops and then climbing a hill and starting to realize my meager breakfast had run out. Nope. I'm sure that wasn't it.

I bet you can't wait for what was next. Remember that this area of the U.S. is called the Bible Belt. That's right. One girl was telling another about her church, the minister, and studying the bible. I thought they might pray right there on the course. Hum, maybe they could put in a few good words for me.

It's not that I was offended by any of the topics but I felt like these people were talking to each other like they were having a drink or a cup of coffee. They did not seem to realize (or care) that everyone around them could hear their conversations. That just struck me as odd or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it.

And what is it with the idiots that set up at mile 9 and play "Running on Empty" on their boom box? If looks could maim...

I finished the race and got my food goody bag but passed on the beer (remember the stomach thing). Ironically, this beer truck was from that same brewery that Chris found in Fort Worth when he got left behind last month. Maybe it was good that I didn't sample any. I settled for a Diet Dr Pepper and some crackers for the longish drive home.

The race benefited an animal protection agency and they had puppies on display for adoption. I wanted to take them all home. I didn't. Cat would not be happy and might decide Puppy would make a good meal.

The results were finally posted and I finished 18 out of 41 in my age group. I wasn't overly excited about my 1 hour and 31 minute finishing time but I'll take it. Training has been very tough lately with the intense heat we've had and my disinclination to run on a treadmill.

I stopped short of jumping into an ice bath but I did sit on an ice pack to temporarily soothe the whining hamstrings.


Some of you may remember that I want to do a triathlon but that I have not done any serious swimming since I was, um, let's say 10. I have been going to the pool and swimming a couple of times a week. I have not drowned yet so I must be doing OK.

Photo credit: vikings: NoHoDamon on flickr.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar)

Fried Brains

What? Do you think I'm writing about food again?

Um, no.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We are headed for an over abundance of triple digits to describe our temperature this week and I'm NOT ready. I asked Mother Nature for a few more weeks of temps in the 90's and well...er..she wasn't very nice when she said "no".



I read that many of you had a lousy week last week. I think you must have passed that to me Sunday. I was out running on the Grassy Knoll, grass airstrip dodging sticks from the last storm and the body snatchers and landmines came out in full force. There are holes on the side of the airstrip probably caused by an underground spring. The grass has cleverly disguised the holes. Living inside are snakes, urchins, body snatchers or maybe zombies and they reached up and grabbed my ankle. I took a big stick and pounded them off me. PHEW! That was close. You see, folks, I'm paranoid for a reason.

Note to self: Catch and dispose of hole dwellers. Fill holes.

Then I stepped in gooey poo. Oh, ick, ick, ICK!

Note to self: Look down next time. Find animal that left poo and see above for description of hole.

Now don't call PETA, OK?

I finally finished my run and made it home. Fortunately, Hubby was very sympathetic and let me whine for a few minutes.

Running while the sun is up has resulted in nicely tanned arms and almost tan legs but what's up with my nose? It stays red most of the time. I'm starting to feel like poor Rudolph and it appears as if Rudolph has also found the poo!

What the....? Oh, crap.

Yeah. I know. It's time to break out the sunblock. I need to get rid of the sweatband line on my face, too.

I still have more brain cells than my neighbor. Late Saturday afternoon, in the heat, she's out working in the yard next door to her property. I'm playing nosy neighbor from the comfort of my A/C and my bay window. This property is directly behind us and has been sold to a family that does not live in the neighborhood. The new owners are doing NOTHING to keep the grass weeds under control but they do appear to be moving junk stuff into the hangar for storage.

Apparently, my neighbor grew tired of looking at the mess. She was soon joined by her entire family, including grand-kiddies. Oh yeah. I'm sure that was fun for them. I enjoyed watching them as I sipped some wine, though.

We've been told the new owners will be altering the hangar in some way in order to build a house around it. Uh huh. I wonder if they're interested in indoor plumbing.

Anyhowsit, last year, Hubby tried to do his part caring for this property by running his mower up and down a few times. It was still owned by folks living in the neighborhood and he was just helping out. This same neighbor comes out of her house and starts fussing at him because he's "throwing leaves towards her property". There is no pleasing this woman. So, yes, more power to you, Neighbor. Clear, clean, mow, weed-eat, burn the place down, whatever. Just don't get heatstroke. I don't want to practice first aid skills on you. I'd have to put down my wine.

On the other hand, maybe I don't want her to get too industrious over there. She might find the bodies I've buried.....

In other news, we should be getting a new roof at some point this week. I seriously doubt I'll be greeted with this as one of my roofers:

Um...

Photo credits: Rudolph: Eric Beglin on flickr.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar), Mother Nature, some email, Um...: some website.

Race Day - Second Half

I'm feeling proud. Saturday, I did another half marathon (that's 13.1 miles). If you want to hear about my first half marathon, click here.

I know. I'm crazy but that runner's high from finishing sure felt good!

Although I felt every step after mile 4, I would have to say it was a good race because I accomplished the following:

• I showed up at the starting line with temperatures hovering around freezing and gusty winds from the north.
• I started running when the gun went off (well, actually it takes a few minutes before you actually get to run).
• I didn't fall down or get run over by other runners.
• I didn't stop to puke, pee, or poop during the race.
  
• I didn't push or cut-off any runners with "Marines" or "Army Grunt" on their shirt or any runners male or female that outweighed me by 100 pounds.
  
• My cajones didn't freeze off.

Uh, ReformingGeek, you don't have those.

I don't?

Um, no. You have female parts.

Oh, OK as I sigh heavily waking up Real Cat.

• My itty-bitties and other female parts, hands, feet, and all other extremities were still in place. I didn't take my hat off until mile 11. The gloves never came off.
  
• I finished upright, with a faster time than my first half. Unbelievable. No really.
  
• I bypassed exhausted drunk runners at the beer stand and avoided the horrendously long food line at the food tent. In other words, I went directly to my car.
  

Uh, ReformingGeek, don't you have more to say about your car?

Do I have to tell them what happened last year?

Um, yes.

Oh, OK as I sigh heavily waking up Real Cat.

I found my car. Last year I got confused about which garage I had parked in so I "lost" my car. It didn't help that they pulled the gate down on this garage's entrance so it was really very confusing. Afterall, I was tired and frozen from the race (including the brain). I was really very embarrassed about this because I was under the delusion that these things don't happen to me.

The post-race exhaustion and the inability to easily bend over and pick something up off the floor hit after lunch Saturday. For those of you that don't know, Fort Worth has this thing about using bricks as road pavement. What effing idiot thought this would be a good idea? O U C H! Miles 7 - 10 were NOT FUNNY and my over 40 body is feeling every single effing brick.

OK. Rant over.

A friend of mine brought me this yummy dessert Friday and I saved most of it for post-race enjoyment. Hubby and Perspective Cat started drooling so I shared (with Hubby that is). The cat that eats blog contest entries does not deserve a body-and-soul-soothing chocolate yummy!


The cake was good. I will definitely be hydrating my friend (and myself) with margaritas soon.

Finally, I really did finish the race. Here's my medal and look at Singing Love Dog trying to get in on the act. Next thing I know, this critter will be going after my "hearts" blog award. Sheesh! Can't leave him alone for a minute.


Think warm!

ReformingGeek realizes she is talking to and answering herself and will resume her meds at some point...or not.

Damn You Mother Nature and Other Weirdness!

I know that Monday was Amateur Antics day and my post was about running but weird things seem to happen to me on days that I run. Or maybe it's that weird things happen every day. Or maybe I'm just weird or that things happen.

Oh dear. I'm getting confused.....must drink more wine before continuing.

OK, I'm back.

Yesterday morning after surviving the grueling almost-annual squish of the boobies (I was supposed to do this last month), I come home to a sweet, innocent cat sleeping in the sun in the backyard. So I quietly creep into the house to avoid disturbing the beast and I glance out my front window and look across the street. It's a woody area and I see this gray thing coming up the hill.

Hum......what is that? Is it a dog?

No. Not a dog. It's got cat ears.

Wait a minute. THAT'S A BOBCAT! SHEESH!


Um, where's my camera?

And then it disappeared into the woods. Another great photo opportunity down the drain.

Just in case it was hungry, I encouraged sleeping beast to come inside for refuge.



OK, that was exciting. Now what? Oh yeah. Time to go run. I ask myself why we seem to be in this weird weather pattern lately. For the past month, it's freezing/effing cold on Mondays with/without rain, sleet, or snow. It's windy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and warm on Fridays. Mother Nature is helping me into a straight jacket. YIKES!

That's right. Tuesday. Gale force winds out of the west/northwest. I brilliantly chose an east/west course with the Hill-that-Never-Ends headed west on the way back. I wasn't sure I was going to make it. First, I had to dodge trash cans all over the road, both empty and full. (See this post, my very first post, for my rant on this subject.) There was no paper or plastic option. You got both. I clumsily tried to get a neighbor's recycle bin upright and reloaded before the next gust. That was futile. Back to the run.

Anyway, I sure as heck didn't notice the advantage when I was headed east but when I started up that hill headed west, I was seriously looking for something to hold onto and hoping wild animals, dogs, cats, or anything else was not blowing up behind me. I think I actually ran in place for a few seconds during a particularly forceful gust. I wish I could say that this kind of run counts for double mileage. It sure feels that way.

Enough already, Mother Nature!

Also, here's some more craziness. The houses in the photos are just across from the south end of the airstrip that is part of neighborhood. They are actually in a different city (gotta love borders). I wonder if the developer and/or Realtor will mention the runway that's in their backyard and I'm sure they will freak out the first time a plane lands. For reference, the runway is parallel to the shadow in the first picture. You can barely see a windsock in the second picture. One of the houses is finished and the others are being worked on by really nice workers that talk to me when I run up and down the grass strip.





House photos courtesy of ReformingGeek.

Bobcat and trash can photos were purchased from iStockphoto.com. Any likeness to the real ReformingGeek or ReformingGeek's bobcat is purely coincidental.

How about a smiley vote over at humor-blogs.com to help Mother Nature get back on her medication and settle down.

Awards and the Christmas Coyote

Before I get down to business, I want to thank some really awesome bloggers for giving me awards. I am truly honored!

The first award came from QuirkyLoon over at Musings of a Quirky Loon. She's very funny and one of my recent favorites is this post. Also, check out her new layout. Nice!

The latest addition to my award shelf (yea, I have an award shelf!!!) is from Random Chick at Confessions of a Random Chick. Yep. Lots of folks confessing stuff around here in the Blogsphere! Like me, Random Chick speaks from the heart and she fits right in because she's just as crazy as the rest of us.

Thanks again, uber-bloggers.

Today's post is really very short as I've been waiting around for a delivery for the past couple of days (and you know these folks will only give you a very large window to wait) so there's not much going on right now.

You've probably noticed the coyote in my sidebar. If you haven't, please check him out. For the season, I'm thinking I should dress him in a Santa costume or at least a hat.

Are you posting about the wildlife again ReformingGeek?

Um, yes. I saw Mr. Coyote's brother yesterday. And yes, I was out running again. Race day in T - 80 days and counting.

What I saw was a thinner version not chasing me but running towards me. When I first saw him, I thought that it was a really skinny dog with a funny gait moving quickly. As he got closer I saw that he was holding his right front paw off the ground as he ran and it finally hit me that this wasn't a DOG.......

I'm glad that he turned off on a small side street. He stared at me for awhile, probably trying to figure out if he could take me on three legs.

Poor thing was probably hit by a car on the busy street not too far away from where he was. Seeing him run with a limp (is that called rimping?) really tugged at my heart strings. I'm a sucker for animals. I guess I could find a cat for him to eat........

Just kidding. We've had too many cats that have fed the coyotes in our neighborhood. Not fun. Actually I think he was after my awards. Sorry, dude. No can do. Now Scram!

Speaking of neighborhoods, folks are getting out the outside Christmas decorations. Check back later in the week for crazy decoration fever down here in the windy south. With the winds we've had, I may find be able to offer rewards for the return of traveling lawn decorations. Also, I now have all the leaves from Canada in my yard. Thanks for that.

Smiley the Christmas Coyote needs your vote!

Race Day! My first Half

If you're not into running, you're probably saying "half of what"? It was my very first half marathon. That's right - 13.1 you've-got-to-be-kiddin'-me miles.

*Yesterday I forced myself out of a not so restful slumber at 5:00 a.m. and was on the road by 6:00 a.m. headed to Dallas's White Rock Lake. After dealing with the snoozing cops working the traffic and parking and the long line at those cute little potty cans, I made my way to the starting line.

What a beautiful day! Temperatures were in the 60's as the race started and in the 70's a little over 2 hours later when I crossed the finish line with a slight lump in my throat. I'm not sure why the lump appeared; probably swallowed a canary. Or maybe I just so very happy to be finished!

Although I've lived in this area all of my life, I have never been to this lake. It's gorgeous and what little fall color we are experiencing down here was out in full force. Part of our course was through a neighborhood with nice homes and gardens including little kiddies and folks in bathrobes waving us on!

There was one guy that may have been a wee bit stressed out over the event. He was attempting to cross the course in his recently washed and shiny convertible but the cop at the intersection stopped him as the street was full of runners (well duh). OMG! I thought he was going to have a stroke and then I think he "bumped" the cop! DUDE, WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN? She called for back-up. Several of us joked that maybe he was late for church ;-)

I saw a tree full of hawks scouting the race participants for their next meal.

Later there was a bridge that felt like the earthquakes we've had were still going on. It wobbled from the pounding of dozens of runners. Then, there were some confused non-race runners that decided that our course was now their course.....going opposite the pack. Hum.....why not just turn around and join the crowd and draft off a few of us?

Earthquake in Texas you say? Yep. We had several late last week. They were about 3.0 on the Richter scale and the tremors are still happening. Unfortunately I've missed them all as I'm a bit north of the main shaking area.

Back to the race: I felt great although there was much less bounce in my step during the last 3 miles. There were several ambulances at the finish line and one poor guy was being loaded up on a stretcher. He was soaked in sweat and shaking. Maybe he was hanging out with some of the humor bloggers the night before and had a wee bit too much liquid refreshment?

Seriously I hope he is OK.

Other racers are usually very entertaining at these events but there wasn't much spectacle at this race. I didn't meet Mr. Stinky, Miss Fall-Out-Of-Her-Clothing, Mr./Mrs. Weird-Outfit (except the guy wearing his afro wig and tie-dye shirt) or Mr./Mrs. Dumbass (idiots that won't let you pass them).

In support of the upcoming election, I even let this patriotic mouse wear my medal! No, I didn't WIN anything but you get a medal when you finish. Now that's my kind of race! Surely Mr. Mouse is cute enough for a smiley.

*Now for the "Ah-So-Sweet" mushy stuff: Hugs and kisses to poor hubby who got up and accompanied me to the event and hung-out for 3+ hours with no beer and only a limited number of hot babes to check out.

For more craziness from really warped folks, check out humorbloggers.com and humor-bloggers.com.

Save me from the season

I'm always keeping my eyes open for ideas for my posts. I could write about all the evil things I've done in my life but that would be even more boring than this post. I think I remember undressing my barbies and maybe even removing their arms and legs but nothing that would make the news.

Wait! I think I threw confetti on a cute boy's lawn in high school...

I just got back from my run in the park. I don't think I can feel my legs. With less than 2 miles to ago, this guy on a bike comes up to me and says "Hey, aren't you my yoga teacher?"

I'm thinking to myself I'm at mile 10. I'm really not presentable right now and this guy's name is Dave, I think. DAMN! It wasn't Dave. It took me a minute but I finally recognized him. He was in disguise wearing a helmet and sunglasses. I was hoping for a big crack in the ground to swallow me. That didn't happen. It's a small world sometimes.

OK. I hear you. Back to today's post. It's fall and I like fall, except for the leaves that "fall" off my oak trees that seem to have multiplied over the summer. It's nice to have a break from the heat but it's the colors that get my attention: orange, yellow, red, orange-red, etc. I've always wanted to buy pumpkins and hay to set out so my neighbors think that I actually have decorations. Last year I broke down and bought fake flowers and some dolls for my front porch. I made a little tea party. The neighbors must have liked what I did. Three houses up the street, they copied me.

This year, I had to have more. I needed something for the inside of the house. I'm home more than I like to admit and I get tired of looking at cat hair (Yeah I know I could vacuum but would you get serious here?). I bought more flowers and a scarecrow and arranged them in a vase. Martha Stewart would be proud!

But it just wasn't enough so I bought some small gourds. What was I thinking? Have you ever seen anything uglier? Most of them have some serious pimple problems and well....just look at the pictures.

I named them. I'll warn you. Hubby thinks I'm incredibly silly sometimes.

He's probably right.

I'd like to introduce you to NICE BUNS!

I couldn't bring myself to name this one although all sorts of ideas came into my mind. I finally came up with

HUM...

The stripes give this guy away:

JAILBIRD

And finally, let's go back in time to the Road Runner cartoons and the wonderful ACME company:

BOOM!

Yes, it's supposed to be a bomb.

The rest were too ugly for photos. They killed my scarecrow, may she rest in peace.

These gourds remind of the Beer episode of the British Comedy Blackadder, Season 2. Specifically, Baldric and his confusion about a turnip. I loved Season 2. Hugh Laurie (Dr. House) is in the last two episodes. Catch it if you can.

Enough said. I guess I should get back to ignoring all the leaves that are falling out of the trees.

Ah....all cuddly and sweet

Strange day in the "country".

I'm about to go and torture myself run 6+ miles up and down hills and what do I see approaching my almost empty birdbath in the front yard? Did you say a bird? Uh, no. A mommy deer and her babies. There is a wooded area across from my house. Lots of critters hang out there but I've never seen the deer. It's been dry lately so I guess they are getting desperate for water.

I took a picture with my cell phone and it was so bad I couldn't even post it. I had to take it thru a window because I knew that if I went outside they would be gone faster than dark chocolate in a room full of women (Yes, I resemble that). Hubby has an awesome camera but it was packed away and I'm lucky if I can find the "on" button. I had to have a picture though so this is what you get. Use your imagination.

I can hear the gears turning in some of your heads. You're picturing yourself with a shotgun holed up in the ditch across the street from my house. (You know who you are and I'll be watching for you).

They were so cute! Hubby, Hubby, can I keep them?

They were gone in a flash when a big pickup drove down our street. I refilled my birdbath and hoped they would come back later.

So I finally made it out the door for the run and find my neighbor walking thru our backyard. She's wearing sandals and carrying a stick in case she sees a snake. Hum.....wouldn't boots or at least real shoes be better than the flip-flops? She's looking for her sweet and innocent kitten. I say kitten but when she grows up, there won't be any mice, moles, bunnies, squirrels, coyotes or bears left in this neighborhood.

During my run, I was chased by strange-looking cat. It looked like a mix of tuxedo and calico. I hope it has a good hiding place for Halloween night.

In a sing-song voice oozing with sweetness I said "Ah, what a sweet purty furrball you are". Then I noticed it chasing me. I guess I was a big juicy sticky mouse-thingy running away. PLAY TIME! After all, the humidity felt like 110% and I was sweating pretty good by then. It lost its nerve when a truck came around the corner. Ha! I win again.

I'm used to barking dogs and I've been mistaken for a snack at least twice but a cat? Weird.

Last week a DirectTV van nearly creamed me. Note to self: Do not ever sign-up for their service!

Finally, here's another "Ahhhh" moment. This past summer was great for the hummingbirds. What amazing creatures they are. We have Lantanas blooming close to the house. After stalking them for weeks, we finally got our pictures!

Enjoy!

Run for it!

I'm training to run a half marathon. Yes, I know that's 13.1 miles and I know that I'm crazy. People ask me why I run. It's because of days like this. Here's the story:

My race is in November so I've had to run a lot during the hot summer months. Some days it's a chore. We've had days this summer when I thought seriously about frying an egg on the sidewalk. When I start to think of how hard is is to run some days, I tell myself the following three things to get my house in order:

1. You woke up this morning. You get another chance!
2. Yep. All limbs in working order and and you're breathing. Good news. Now get those running shorts on (and put a top on while you're at it).
   
3. You are capable of thought and logic. That's right, you're smarter than your cat (sometimes) and on most days you have a clue. So get yourself organized and go for it.
   

Sidebar: I was told recently that humility is not one of my strengths.....hum.....thanks for that.

Back to the story: Exercise is a privilege so get out there and enjoy.

Today was my day to go to a local park and log a longer distance (about 8 miles today). The park is a linear park with fewer hills than my neighborhood routes. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I hopped in my car and drove the short distance to the park. I know I could have reduced my carbon footprint by walking but there are no sidewalks and I didn't want to be run over by soccer moms in SUVS headed home to blog. ;-) One of the great things about this park is the scenery. It's not just the different kinds of native plants (Texas, of course), the meadow primed for wildflowers, longhorn cattle chowing down and pooping, cute little squirrels and lizards, but it's all kinds of people in all walks of life. Today, the place was packed. I got the last parking spot. As a fitness professional, I'm proud. What a problem to have!

Anyway, the people: cute little kids with mom and/or dad, older folks walking fast, older folks walking slow, speedy middle-age bicyclists, moms running with strollers, moms running from their kids, kids chasing squirrels in a circle around a tree, and cute pets pooping on the sidewalk. BTW, that smell almost led to puking on mile #8.

So I had entertainment today. It makes the time go by much faster and I couldn't have asked for better weather. It was one of those few days where the air is clear and the humidity is low and the temperature was in the lower 70's. We don't get that much around here. My endorphins were truly at a high. That's the thrill of running. I will also admit that it lets me have a few little drinkies periodically and allows for my sweet tooth and the corresponding addiction to baking.