NYE Run Results

Hey Cosmo, how was your NYE run? Well glad you asked. Hands down the worst run I've ever done. How? you ask. Well lets see, when I woke up in the morning it was 45-50ish degrees (the day before was close to 60).Great temp for a run right?By time 4pm rolled around the temp had dropped to 34 and continued to decline. Living in this area, I have run in colder but this time the temperature came back with a friend. Meet Mr. Wind. Mr. Wind carried a punch of 35-50 miles per hour and terrorized the local area with downed trees, powerlines and anything else he could knock over and bully. Doctor Doctor checked the racing web page and even though there was a down powerline in the middle of the course, the powers that be (greed) decided the race must go on.

At six o'clock we left the house. I double checked this list of things for Destructo:Jogging stroller-check, wind protective covering-check, Snow suit-check, Bottle and diapers-check. Everyone had on their traditional race gear. Chaz wore his Firefighting jacket (don't ask), I wore my fuchsia fleece jacket an doc wore her matching electric blue jacket. This is the only way we can find each other during the race or at the end.

As soon as we park and step outside, the wind hits us. Mr. Wind obliterates my fleece and goes straight for the heart. His buddy cold follows close behind. My poor uncovered hands never had a chance.They only suffered for a few seconds before I lost all feeling in my fingers. I scramble to the trunk to look in my backup closet and then it dawned on me. Due to unfair pressure to conform and clean (Chaz, Doc) my trunk was completely empty except for my jogging stroller. I silently cursed them (maybe not so silent). We all scrambled to switch accessories in a moment of true family bonding. Chaz wore my pink gloves (he'd forgotten his), I wore Doc's heavy winter coat (she took pitty on me) and she double layered by wearing my fuchsia jacket under hers. I personally wanted to get back in the car but then I realized I wouldn't be able to redeem my nike hoodie unless I crossed the finish line.By that time the temp had dropped to 28.

Since the original course was unfit to run they altered it to four huge (mile-ish)laps around the heart of downtown. Chaz and I started off in the back because of the stroller and zig-zagged diligently to make up time and reclaim our rightful spots towards the front. First off, it took over a lap to pass all of the walkers which tells me they lined up in the front. The powers that be (at greed) weren't prepared to close both lanes of traffic so only one was completely shut down. I can now say I know what it feels like to be herded like a cow. The wind blew so hard at times my shoe was thrown into my other ankle (ooowww). By lap three Chaz and the baby committed mutiny and stopped mid-race (fine). We tried to get the baby out of the stroller but since our hands were frozen and it was dark, it was nearly impossible. 5 minutes later I was back on track..... with the jogging stroller. Don't ask me why he didn't take it with him, I don't know delirium from the cold! People do stupid things when it's cold! The wind was so bad at that point everyone was at a stand-still. There was actually a point were I could do nothing but try to keep my footing until the gust of wind passed. I spent the majority of lap three making up for lost time and hiding my face as people stared at the girl with the empty stroller. That's when I realized they had opened the finish line and everyone was running in. Under normal circumstances ok, but not today. 95% of the people were unaware of the fact that you had to do 4 laps so they were coming in with the gazelles. Look if you power walked the whole time, there's noway you did 4 miles in 25 minutes. Being the honest person that I am (I so wanted to quit but I thought it would be too obvious!) I pushed my stroller for another lap. I promptly gave everyone else stank eye as they lied to themselves and came in a lap early. By time I finished the line to the sweatshirt was out the door. I continued to push my stroller into line. I actually had someone tell me my baby was really quiet as she looked in to see emptiness. It was really awkward! I finally picked up my sweatshirt and walked back to the car with Doc. On a funnier note, it was really funny watching Doc cry over the prospect of frost-bitten fingers(don't worry I knew they weren't). The fear in her voice was priceless!I think I almost peed myself. I know, I'm a mean sister!

Battle of the Gift Card

2 weeks ago, Doctor Doctor, Destructo and I made a short impromptu three day visit to our home town in California. Yes, that is correct, we flew a combined 10 hours for 55 hours of face time. You have to understand, we come from a small town that will suck you in ever chance it gets, not to mention our family is crazy (especially our extended family). 55 hours is more than enough time to say hello, hug and be extremely offended (trust me)they've done it in less.I digress. Anywho, no one knew we were coming until we arrived at the airport. Due to a 2 hour lay over in New Orleans (who closes all of their kiosk's at 6 pm , by the way) we had to call Daddy to pick us up for fear enterprise car rental was already closed.

The next day we went to visit our Grandmothers. Our mothers mother is in Rehab (she had a stroke) and thus the reason we made the trip. At the Rehab I ran into my Aunt Faith who in a matter of an hour was able to eat all of my food, scare Destructo so bad he rang his hands and insinuate she was coming to visit us in D.C. next summer (negativo).As soon as we arrive at my other Grandmother's house it was just as bad.My Aunt busy-body and Aunt mooch were both there. Aunt mooch is 40 and still lives at home.She also only pays 200 dollars in rent and refuses to help my grandmother get to and from dialysis. I spent the next 4 hours trying to pry my crying baby out of Aunt mooch's hands. I promise her kisses are toxic. Aunt busy-body on the other hand,scrambled to create non-existent presents.

Look, I find myself to be one of the most gracious gift- receivers I know. I never turn down a gift because I find it to be rude and I find use for everything. I always act like it is just what I wanted and never make another peep about it. I find it to be extremely tacky when people openly bash their gifts to the person who gave it to them. Since this is my blog I will share with you my frustration over Aunt busy-body and her gifts. We've had a long sordid past with her and Christmas gifts. It's not that she gives everyone impersonal or horrible presents, my other cousins get great presents (because they are bigger) and we get the "Sorry I forgot about you and this is all they had left" presents. On a good year, we get Vicky-Secrets body wash and a hair comb set from Wal-mart. On a bad year, well lets revisit the ghost I call X-mas closet past. Keep in mind, this all took place after 1999.

There was my sophomore year when I received shiny Kedz and my cousins all got the really awesome Nikes.




















My senior year, the cousins got awesome jackets and I got a Pepto Bismol pink sweater oh and I forgot to mention it was made of fur.



When I was 19 I received a gift certificate to Lane Bryant, only problem was I was a size 2 and the smallest size they sell is a size 14!

When I was 22, my cousins got awesome sweaters and I got (wait for it)



Bejeweled Mom jeans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say when she magically found JC Penney gift cards for us this year I was relieved and anxious ( I haven't stepped in one in years). My sister and I made a game of it and found some really awesome finds on clearance.

I found a similar velvet lined black blazer from St. Johns Bay for $12.99.




And this awesome top from Nicole by Nicole Miller for JC Penney for $15.99.



which will go great with my Joe's jeans and black riding boots