Fortune July - 2012

I had a very low-key Fourth of July this year.  The random weekday off started with a 5K at Stars and Stripes park in Oklahoma City with my friends Monica and Chanel.  My knee has been giving me so much trouble that I haven't run in awhile, so the fact that I finished the race under 30 minutes amazed the hell out of me.  Also, running always makes me feel like I can stuff my face guilt-free for the rest of the day!

Chanel and Me before the race (Monica was late, so she didn't make the photo op):

After the race, the three of us went to Jimmy's Egg for a very delicious breakfast...and then i took a nap for a few hours before heading over to my parents house to host some of my favorite girls at the pool.  We proceeded to hang out at the pool for hours...drinking and eating snack food all afternoon.

Chanel, me and Becca:

The day was capped off with a dinner at Bourben Street Cafe and Fireworks in Bricktown, Oklahoma with my darling friend, Ashley. 

All in all...my lazy holiday was pretty perfect.

My Beautiful Niece, Linden

I love my niece. She is beautiful.

I also like pink and purple...both represented well in this pic!

Color Run - June 23, 2012 (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

My sister and I did the 2012 Color Run in Tulsa, Oklahoma this year and it was a *blast*!!!  This was a sold out event, over 10,000 participants and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  The race was a 5K and every half mile there was a color station where volunteers poured colored powder on us, depending on the color of that station.  There were four:  yellow, orange, blue and green.  We were also given individual packets of color to throw at the end of the race in a giant crowd--which was a giant poof of color in the sky.  It was pretty amazing.

Every runner was required to wear white to the race and we were released in waves of 1,000 every 5 minutes.  I didn't enjoy waiting for my wave to begin, but once it did, game on!  Stephanie and I had a wonderful time in the race and below are our "Before and After" pics:

Before:

After:

One of my really good friends from highschool ran the race as well and we caught up with her at the end.  Here is a pic of Kelly and me:

I really enjoy running (um, duh)...but with my knee hurting every time after a race, it is exciting to tackle these "fun runs"...b/c there is quite a bit of walking involved and everybody is having a really great time.  Also...I feel like I can eat whatever I want after a race (post-race treats) and that is also thrilling.  I love to eat.

Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel

When my daughter was young (many, many moons ago), I got her the book Once Upon a Potty on the pretense that it was for potty training; however, I was 21 years old and the book was just hilarious to me.  (I am now 31...and it still makes me giggle).

Anyway...Jade has outgrown all of her kiddy books and with the new addition to my sister's fam, I boxed them all up and gave them to her.

My sister found this book in the stack and decided to read it.  (She and I both share very similar bathroom humor, so I'm not surprised she picked it up). 

Apparently...my daughter had made her own commentary on a few of the pages...which I had never seen and that I have outlined below: 

Mmmhmm...so she's interested in anatomy..................maybe a doctor in our future?!?  ha ha!

[I tried to rotate the photos, but they kept popping up here sideways.  Boo!]

Cinco de Mayo 2012

This Mexican chick spent Cinco de Mayo with a few very close friends.  Tequila, gummy worms and board games...so much fun, I love these girls!!!

Above is my gummy worm soaking in tequila.  It was no bueno...barf!

Ma-Ma-Ma-My Corona!!!

Oklahoma Memorial 5K Run - April 29, 2012

                                                       Amanda and Me -- 6:30 a.m.!

Sunday marked the 12th Annual Oklahoma Memorial Marathon, which takes place in Oklahoma City every year in memoriam of the 168 souls lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building. The events that are offered are the 1-mile fun run, 5K, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and the Full Marathon. Runners from all over the country lace up their sneaks and hit the pavement. This year, over 30,000 people participated in the event and every state in the U.S. was represented (except Delaware—so if you are reading this and live in Delaware…you need to come out next year and represent!!!)

Due to my bum knee [as referenced in my last post] and the coercing of a friend to participate with her, I woke up at the crack of dawn (4:45 a.m.) to run the 5K. This is the second time I have taken part in this event—the last time was for the Half Marathon—and it is a madhouse downtown on race morning with participants and spectators all over the place. It took 20 minutes for the Half and Full marathoners to cross the start line there were so many people.

Once Half and Full were off, they opened the 5K Corral and we began our race. Although there was rain on the horizon, it stayed dry for the entire 3.1 miles that I ran and the weather conditions were perfect. Not too hot…not too cold—beautiful even.

I had previously purchased a brace to hold my knee in place for the run, but at mile 2.5 my knee gave out and the pain was immense; however, I carried on. I knew I was so close to the end and I actually ended up being one of the first finishers across the line! I paid for my choice to run for the rest of the day and even today it hurts to walk.

The only problem I had with this race were the walkers. I understand that this is a 5K run/walk—but if you are a walker in a 5K—or any event that includes running—get in the back. Seriously. Not only do these people not get in the back, they walk RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the street. It makes it difficult for runners to pass, especially since many of us like to time our runs. My time would have been so much better if I hadn’t been held up [and if my knee wasn’t being a little bitch]…but oh well!

So…since this blog is pretty much all about me…and entirely narcissistic…you know that I am not above blowing my own horn. I am amazing…not only did I run this race—and finish it in excruciating pain—but I was one of the first done. It was a ghost town by all of the water bottle/fruit/hamburger stations when I finished…and about 5 minutes later…hoards of people came in.

Running is not something that I enjoy—but I really like the results my body has seen from it. I get off on the feeling of euphoria after a run. I love having something that I am good at. This is why I hope—I pray—that my appointment on Wednesday with the orthopedist goes very smoothly and he tells me the fix is easy and simple…and I’ll be running at my peak again very soon.

Here is a picture of Amanda, Amanda’s sister and me [and my Icy Hot knee sleeve]. Look—we have medals for being awesome!!!

Baker's Cyst Blues

During middle school and highschool, I played field hockey and somewhere along the lines I developed a Baker's Cyst on the back of my left knee. A Baker's Cyst is the build up of the knee fluid that develops when it produces too much in the joint. It happens in active people, people with arthritis and people with an injury such as torn cartilidge that goes untreated. But for the fact that there was a slight protrusion on the back of my knee, nobody could see it, it didn't cause me any problems and life was beautiful.

Until recently.

I have been running for about two years now--increasing both speed and distances--and, as I've stated many times before, it has been amazing; however, about three weeks ago, I did a 9.5 mile run around a Lake by my house and then two days later i attempted it again. At exactly Mile 6 on the second day, my left knee was shot. I was in excruciating pain--but it was weird. It felt like it had swollen up, but when I looked down at it, everything seemed normal, so I tried to push on. Big mistake. Big...Huge. By Mile 8, of mostly walking by now, I about died and Andy had to come and rescue me via Toyota Camry. It was horrible...so I iced it, heated it and stayed off of it for about a week.

My next attempt at activity was a fail. Even walking for a long period of time on my knee was proving difficult and the realization that I may never be able to do something that I enjoy so much was breaking my heart. I finally broke down and called the doctor to see what we can do about this Baker's Cyst--a part of my body that has never caused me issue before. He has put me in touch with an orthopedic surgeon--my appointment is next week--and I am not too excited about it. I have been researching the hell out of fixing this ailment and it scares the crap out of me. It looks as if it is an out patient surgery...where they slice the back of your knee open and stick a giant needle in there to suck out the liquid. Oh...that's hot, right?

I am also not excited about the fact that I can't run. My last attempt was Tuesday night and I barely made it 2.5 miles. The Oklahoma Memorial Marathon is this weekend--one of the biggest races in our city--and I am pretty sad that I won't be able to participate...but I will be there bright and early--bells and everything--to cheer on my beautiful friends for whom I am so excited!

P.S. If you are interested in attempting a peek at my Baker's Cyst (which you probably are if you got this far in the post)...go click on my 'Sunday Bang' picture where I am shooting the gun to make it bigger and look behind the left knee.  You can see it there--even with a bent knee it still sticks out a bit.  Just imagine what it looks like when my knee is straight!!!

Update:  My friend, Amanda, has talked me into running the 5K with her on Sunday morning.  I am going to pay dearly for this...but as of 1:30 p.m. CST today...I am signed up...Things Just Got Real!  :)

Sunday Bang

April Fools 2012 was an extremely busy day for me.  It started with a 10-mile bike ride with horrendous winds that about killed my ass...and then out to a property in Piedmont, Oklahoma where I got to shoot guns for the very first time. 

It's the American way, y'all. 

At first I was really timid about the experience, afraid that the kick back on weapons would hurt (I'm kind of a baby) and then I was full on shooting guns like nobody's business.  That's a lie.  I mostly took pictures...but I didn't hesitate to try everything except the shot gun which looked like a huge punch in the stomach (which would be great birth control).

Here is me:

All in all...it was a fantastic weekend for sure!

Eskimo Joes

My time spent in Stillwater, Oklahoma...oh so many years ago...was short-lived. It was freaking awesome, though--I would do it again in a heartbeat!

One thing I miss most is driving down Highway 51 and seeing the Eskimo Joes sign that said "Say Cheese Fries" welcoming me into one of the best towns in Oklahoma. Oh how I love cheese fries. Eskimo Joe isn't too bad himself.

This post is just me. Reminiscing about the younger years...and having a huge craving for a hamburger, cheese fries and an ice cold coke, sipped out of a classic plastic Joe's cup. Mmmm....

*Crossroads*

I am a 31 year old woman who has been at the same job for over 8 years. A job that has nothing to do with my college degree, so I have to decide if this is what I want to do forever, or do I want to strive for more.

Striving for more would be to jump into a field that is foreign to me. Something completely different than what I'm used to...but do I really want to take the time (and spend the money) to do it?

I'm not getting any younger. I'm not happy where I am. I'm not sure that this change in my life will make me any happier, though.

What the hell do I want to be when I grow up? I actually may have figured out WHAT...but I'm so scared. I am so afraid of change, it's ridiculous.

So I'm at a crossroads. Do I, or Don't I?

And if I choose "do"...will I follow through? Will I fail? Will I succeed? Or should I just stay back where it is comfortable...

Lopez A Mean Girl? No Effing Way!

Below are three statements said to me within the last month:

“You do realize that you would have more friends if you weren’t so mean, right?”

“You and your two buddies are known as the ‘mean girls’ around here…and I’m sorry to say it, but you’re sort of the ringleader—the one who pulls the strings.”

“Daniel Tosh and Chelsea Handler are your two favorite comedians? That makes sense—they are just as mean as you are.”

Well, isn’t this quite the revelation to the sweet little girl from Oklahoma who is so shy and quiet it would be hard for anyone to form an opinion about her—but alas! It has happened and I am apparently a super bitch. Hooray for that…?

I will admit that sometimes I make not-so-nice comments about people I don’t know that are either getting on my nerves or are inconveniencing me in some manner… and occasionally I might throw a stereotype in a conversation—but only for shock value, nothing more.

It is very rare that I am mean to somebody’s face—and in those few situations, it is probably warranted. I don’t walk around with my nose stuck in the air thinking I am better than you [which I most likely am anyway] and after 10 am every morning, I am a bowl of rainbows and sunshine.

The one thing I do love is when people look stupid. I can’t help it if I am smarter than you and it is easy for me to set you up to fail in front of people that matter. That is not my fault. Let’s just call it a ‘learning opportunity’…and I’m the teacher.

That does not make me mean.

Here is one thing I could think of that may have made me mean--ONE TIME. When I was a teenager, I told my best friend that her fat, gay father looked like a child molester. That might have been mean, but I was a kid [who ultimately lost her best friend...Meh…it happens.]

So maybe I lack a filter.

I’m not a mean girl. I’m just a girl without a filter.

Yes. Let’s go with that.

Run Lucky - 5K (March 11, 2012)

Sunday afternoon, I got myself all decked out in green and headed over to the Run Lucky 5K. I was still a little sore from the run the day before, but I knew I could push through it--and that I did!

I ran the race with Monica and Chanel and it was great fun. The race was huge and there were so many people dressed up, it was fantastic. I love events that have so much spirit, they are truly my favorite.

This race is my fastest recorded 5K and I am super thrilled about it...and at the same time, I can't wait to kick this time's ass!

27:36

Red Earth Run - 5K (March 10, 2012)

Bright and early on Saturday morning I got my ass out of bed to run the Red Earth 5K.

Initially, I was very excited about this race because the top three finishers in each age group got a medal for placing and I had been doing so well that I could hardly wait to test out my new skills; however, about a week and a half before the race I got sick. Very sick. I couldn't run (as you can see over there on my maintaining log, my running sessions were pretty pathetic) and I regretted signing up for the race.

Even today, I'm still hacking shit up, but I'm alive and well, so no need for you to worry.

Anyway...I got to the race and it was a beautiful morning, despite the biting wind, and I ran.

You can imagine how shocked I was when I placed SECOND in my age group. I could hardly believe it and I am still so excited. I got a medal (to be pictured soon) and I am riding on cloud nine!

It was fantastic and it was my best recorded race yet--but had I been able to train better for it, not only would my time be so much better, but I might have gotten first...well, maybe.

28:09

Meeting Linden

I got to meet my very first niece on Friday and it was love at first sight. I wish my sister didn't live so far away so I could hold the little munchkin every day! She is tiny--her head was the size of an orange! Awe...happiness!

Auntie Lopez and Linden:



Cousins:



Miss Em and Linden:

Happy Birthday, Linden Alexandria!

My sister had her first baby this morning--and my first-ever niece! She was due on March 30th and they had just gotten their induction date yesterday for the 16th of March. So, needless to say, they were quite surprised when she woke up this morning at 1:30 a.m. and her water had broken.

So...I introduce you to Linden "Lindy" Alexandria--weighing in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces.



Unfortunately, my sister lives in a different city than I do, so I don't get to meet my niece until tomorrow and the anticipation is killing me!!!

It's amazing, though, how I can automatically love another human being just by seeing a picture and never having met her!