From The Kitchen & Concert Review

I have a follow up tip from the Baked Orange Chicken Wings Recipe - I made it the other night with the orange marmalade and we didn't care for it much.  Was way too sweet and sticky.  I highly recommend fresh squeezing the same amount of fresh orange juice instead of the marmalade! 

Now on to the exciting stuff!!!  Michelle and I saw Miguel and Alicia Keys at the Wamu Theater in Seattle.  It was amazing!!! 

She is so beautiful in person and girl can sing!

First of all the Wamu is small, only a few thousand people, I heard 5,000 but don't know if that is accurate, regardless it's small, so there really isn't a bad seat in the place. 

Our view of the stage...right next to the sound guys so we had good seats!   

Second this was such a grown-up concert.  Very sophisticated crowd (how did I get in?!) I didn't see a single drunk person, and people were dressed up very nicely.  You could tell this was a classy night out for most of the people. 

The lay-out was great, short lines for shirts, drinks, and bathrooms.  Well, actually the bathroom line was long, but moved fast, and we never had to wait in line because our seats were close to the exit nearest the bathrooms so it wasn't a problem for us at all.

Miguel

As for the talent...WOW.  We saw Miguel when he opened for Usher, and at that time he was really new, only did a few songs and was the typical shirt off I'm sexy kind of thing.  Last night he was so classy sexy that I could hardly stand it.  He has grown into his music and style and is doing his thing, and it works, it really works! 

I was less excited about Alicia.  I like her, but not the own CD's, follow her career type of like her.  I was looking forward to seeing her, but not crazy excited like I have been for other concerts.  I have to say girl knows how to put on a show, and her voice is better live than recorded, not many artists can say that.  I loved that she didn't have any wardrobe changes, she mopped her face with a towel on stage, she had just enough lighting and dancers to make it fun, but was pretty low-key and sophisticated about it. 

I will admit she made me cry and that is a first.  I have never cried at a concert before.  She sung the song her little boy asks her to sing when he is going to bed and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.  Really amazing. 

While I was dazzled by her voice the runner in me was thinking, she can sing, but can she run?  Check it out: Alicia Runs Girl can run too!  :)

 

Enjoying ourselves!

I'm so thankful Michelle asked me to go with her.  It was fun going to such a grown-up concert.  Nice change from our last concert...zero screaming little girls last night! 

Now time to hydrate and get ready to PR the 10K tomorrow!!!  So excited to run this race and it's going to be sunny!  Whatever you are doing this weekend, whatever training run or race, enjoy it!!! 

Thankful Thursday

I have said it before, but I'm going to say it again...I am so very, very thankful for my jogging stroller! 

I still have the bib from this race out on my dresser...still makes me smile to remember crossing the finish line with her in our first race together!

 



I LOVE running with the best little running partner ever!  Sky is happy in this thing for a good hour.  Seriously in all the miles she has logged with me I remember two runs that she was fussy.  She fusses less than I do when we run! 

The last few weeks she has been sick with a cold and nasty little cough, which means we have been home a lot!  But, that doesn't mean that Sky isn't pulling her hair out from being stuck inside.  It's also been pretty rainy so playing outside hasn't really been an option.  Normally we don't care about that, but when she is sick it seems wrong to let her play in the rain. 

Thank goodness for the jogging stroller!  The only outings she has really had, aside from the park the other day, have been runs with mommy.  Since it's fully enclosed the rain doesn't matter, and with the windows all the way around she loves watching things fly past as I'm pushing her.  It's a great change of pace for both of us!  Plus, it means I don't miss the Stroller Group on Wednesday's.   

The feeling of freedom I get from having the stroller is priceless!  No matter how high gas prices get this summer (I try to drive less during peak gas price season) no matter if my car craps out on us (it feels like a day to day thing as of late)...with the stroller there are plenty of things within running distance from the house.  Plus, since it is fully enclosed weather isn't an issue.  I run rain, snow, sleet and ice, and so does Sky!   

And, I'm pretty sure if I plan a park break in the middle of a run I could get 1 1/2 to 2 hours of running out of her.  I have a feeling with three 1/2's this summer I may need to do some of the longer training runs during the week, with Sky, especially once camping and vacation time come around.     

Sorry if I sound like a broken record, but Sky and running are two big parts of my day-to-day, stay at home life, and thanks to this stroller the two fit together perfectly.  I'm thankful for it, and thankful that my Dad was able to support my running and staying home by getting it for us! 

P.S. - Another thing I'm thankful for today...Michelle invited me to go to the Alicia Keys and Miguel concert tonight in Seattle with her!  I LOVE Miguel...he opened for Usher when we saw him and Miguel had our attention for sure!  I will be breaking my no drinks past Wednesday rule when I have a weekend race, but I think it will be worth it.  I will just hydrate like crazy Friday so I'm ready to PR Saturday! 


P.P.S - Running with a stroller tip #1.  Make sure the tires are pumped up properly!  I checked them yesterday to find them at 20 PSI...they are supposed to be between 40-65 PSI.  No wonder my last run with the stroller felt like I was pushing the darn thing through wet cement!  Had a much smoother run yesterday with properly inflated tires! 

New Shoes

I did it, I finally made time before run club last night and got fitted for new shoes.  Turns out I still need the same type of shoe, but am in a different brand since Asics doesn't make my show any longer. 

Behold the Brooks Ravenna 4!

The biggest change with these shoes is the toe curves up more so my big toes have less contact with the ground, which should help with the blisters/sensitivity I get on the pads of my toes.  (I'm about 2 seconds away from embarking on a new sock finding adventure.  Going to give these shoes a few weeks and let a few other things with my feet clear up first (can I just say that what running does to your feet is not fun sometimes!), but I'm not sure the compression socks are wicking enough for me.)

Anyway the other big difference is it feels like these shoes grip the pavement more and it's a softer landing.  In my Asics I could hear myself landing, I actually sounded like an elephant, but with these I didn't hear anything.  That may not mean a darn thing, but I like the feel and lack of elephant sound for sure! 

After a few weeks, and this weekends race, if I still love them then I'm going to save my pennies and get a 2nd pair so I can rotate, and let them rest between runs like your supposed to. 

Did the 3 mile loop last night with the group.  Just wanted to shake the legs out but not put too many miles on them before the race Saturday.  Felt strong and easier than normal, so that's good. 

It's kinda funny, but Sky must recognize the difference between my running cloths and my normal cloths, because on Wednesdays when we go to leave the house she says run, run instead of go, go like normal when we are getting ready to leave.  She's probably also used to our schedule and going to stroller group run every Wednesday. 

Sky is still sick, and while I feel bad for her I have to say her sleeping in an extra 45 to 60 minutes every morning is nice.  I will be so glad when we can resume play dates (miss you Jodi and Sky misses Reagan!), play to learn, frog n kiwi etc.  Week two of keeping her away from kids and confined play spaces is getting old for both of us.   

She is trying very hard to do things for herself with some often funny results...

 

What, who turned out the lights?!

 

 

Ok, maybe I do need some help putting this thing on. 

 

I'm working with her to put her pants on by herself.  She is pretty good at taking them off, but putting them on she ends up with both legs in one pant leg, or tries to put them on like a hat.  She is starting to have an opinion about what shirts I pick out, and her shoes too.  All her shoes are sneakers, but she for sure knows what ones she will or won't wear for the day!  The nice thing about having lots of jeans and random shirts is that none of her outfits get crazy when she picks them out, so that's nice.   

 

7:02, and she is awake...only 2 minutes of sleeping in today...maybe just maybe she is feeling better?!  

 

Have a great day all!  

Chill Monday

Pretty relaxed day at home today.  So want to be running right now, the sun is amazing, but resting the legs from yesterday's run, and more importantly resting my foot. 

Plus, have an IRB meeting tonight and a few research studies to review, so working on that as well. 

Since Sky is still sick, and we are house bound so as not to share germs, Tina cam over and visited with us.  It has been way, way too long since catching up with her, and it was nice to just sit and talk.  Plus she is a nurse, so knows how not to catch Sky's cold.  :)

A little late lunch after her nap...

Ham, rice crackers, cheese, apple, and Pedialyte...it's how to kill a cold.

Want to give a shout out to our nephew Jordan who leaves today for basic training, with the AF, in TX.  It's a new chapter in his life with new adventures ahead, and I wish him all the best! 

Sunny Sunday Run!

That's right, I said it, Sunny!  Elya, El and I did a flatish 6 mile run this morning, and it was amazing!  The sun was out, my legs felt great, blisters are still there, but didn't hurt, my bruised foot that has been hurting all week was totally fine today, and did I mention it was flatish?!  Only one hill at the end, and it was hard, but average pace was 9:30 something!  I want to finish next weeks 10K in under an hour, and came in at 57 minutes today!  The course next weekend is flat, no killer hill at the end, so I know we are going to crush our goal! 

El is such a great running cheerleader constantly encouraging us to keep the pace up, work the arms, you can do it, get up that hill etc.  She wills me to run faster and I do!  Hat's off to Elya, she had come off working a double shift and had very, very little sleep the last 48 hours and still got in 6 miles at a good pace! 

I felt so good after the run that I came home and registered for the 3'rd 1/2 of the year.  (Still waiting for registration to open for the 2nd one I'm doing).  3 in 78 days I think it is.  Only really worried about the first 2 since they are 2 weeks apart.  Can't figure out how to rest, and train for the next one in such a short amount of time.

Now, I get to enjoy the rest of my day... 

Which will include play time at the park.  Sky is still sick, but obviously feeling a little better, so we are going to get her out of the house for a bit. 

Being sick = lot's of pj time and snacks while watching Ellen and Sophia The First.  That is a treat because she usually isn't allowed to eat unless she is at the table.

And, I'm going to put my early birthday present to use again tonight!  Mark got me a 4 quart All-Clad French skillet with lid! 

I love to cook so much that my old skillet bit the dust, and I was ready to make the switch from non-stick to stainless steel.  We went shopping last night so I could see the options in person, feel how heavy they were etc. and came home with this beautiful skillet.  It even came with it's own dust bag to protect it while it's not being used.  I feel so grown up!  Was exciting to come home last night and use a "real/professional" skillet! 

The next one on my wish list is the 12 inch skillet.  With those two pans I can cook anything!!!  Ok, almost anything.  I love my new skillet though, kinda feel like a real chef with my apron and stainless steel! 

Time to enjoy the sun at less than a 9:30 pace!  Hahaha...although chasing Sky around requires sprinting so no rest for these legs I guess. 

Thankful Thursday, on Friday

Missed posting yesterday...taking care of sicko's.  :) 

I am super thankful that Sky is still really pleasant when she is sick!  Proof...

From this morning, she is worse today by the way, but she still wants to play with Daddy's hats and be cute.  Love this sick little girl so much! 

I'm also thankful for the perspective being a mom has provided.  Pre-Sky I would see kids at the store, in restaurants or just out and about, with rats nests in their hair, crusty snot on their face, and dirty cloths on.  And, it always made me wonder what kind of parent let's their kids go out and about dirty and un-kept like that.  Did they not love them enough to care?  Especially when the parents are clean and put together, why, just why? 

Now I know!  Sometimes it's just not worth the hair battle in the morning, or after a nap.  Especially when already running late.  So you just hope that your kid is cute enough to pull it off and that non of the other mommies will judge you for not brushing the knots out. 

Snotty noses seem to be the daily thing with little ones.  I don't know about other's little ones, but Sky HATES having her nose wiped.  And, if I wiped her nose every time it really needed it her nose and lip would be so chapped and raw.  So, I save it for the really big ugly green boogers or the really runny nose.  (Like the one she has now because she is sick).  It's called picking your battle.  Some battles must happen because it's a value thing, or a safety thing, or something really important.  But, I for one would rather deal with a little snot dry or not than having a screaming fit in the middle of the store. 

Given the fact that her clothes are dirty 2.5 seconds after putting them on I totally get it now.  Plus, do you know how many times we have been on an adventure or at the park playing, with all the falling down that goes along with it, and then decide to go out for dinner because we just don't feel like cooking.  Ok, that doesn't happen all that often actually because we just don't eat out all that much, but every time we do it's been after Sky had fallen in the mud at the park or has spilled her snack all over her, and we show up looking all disheveled, or at least Sky does. 

While I'm at it, I totally understand spending all day in nasty looking yet super comfortable sweat pants too.  Today is actually one of those days.  Sweats and pj's because being sick requires lot's of comfy snuggle time.  Oh, and I totally get the mismatched outfits now too.  Sometimes the only clean laundry is the top from one outfit and the bottom from another, or the only way to get out the door without a screaming fit it to just let them put what they want on, no matter how silly. 

I send a general apology to the universe and to all parents out there for my pre-parenthood lack of perspective.  I get it now, I totally get it. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I will be busy knitting my scarf, which is a great non-technology activity, (I think I totally forgot to mention Jodi and I took a knitting class!), sneaking in a last 6 miler before the 10K next weekend, and snuggling with Sky.  I do hope she feels better soon!