What did I just do?

So after telling several people this week that I would not be running a marathon, I signed up for a marathon today. Blame Jon and his pep talks, but at least he's running it with me.

If anyone else wants to join us, today's the last day to sign up before a price jump (it's the Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon June 27).

just too good.

Jon and I have gone to see this local band, Nurses, play a few times. We really like them, but it takes me about 10 minutes to get a hold of myself and not almost laugh...

Because two members look almost exactly like our friends Jameson and Christian (think Christian when he dyed his mustache brown, and Jameson still had a glorious beard before it was shaved for naught). See? I can't get over it.

Love is...

The Waffle Window. (Basil, bacon, and brie, if you're wondering.)

Running eight miles.

A Glockenspiel.

Playing cupid.

(also noted--lots of dark chocolate, a new-to-me dress, angel food cupcakes, a husband who misses his favorite band because someone was not feeling well.)

You know you have a great job when...

You are sitting at home, evaluating the list of search results from someone who searched for the diagnosis of their STD-like symptoms. Or, another searcher takes you to a complicated journey through the pointless world of Dungeons and Dragons.

This should not have been blog worthy. And yet, here we are.

I made a comment the other day how we had seen nary a spider in our apartment. Karma brought me this.

Today I went for a run in beautiful, sunny, February weather in the high 50s. I am loving the winter right now. However, aside from Arctic Blast 2008, the non-freezing temps have one drawback--Insects that are normally frozen and obliterated have a chance to thaw and live. Last night, a winged beetle-thing (huge!) suddenly buzzed in from who-knows-where and started zipping around our house. I started screaming for Jon to come save me from this deathly creature, and as it turns out, we are both reduced to squealing messes whenever something larger than an inch invades. (Lest not we forget the April 2008 mouse incident(s), when Jon screamed, sprinted, and babbled at the sight of the mouse that refused to die.) After a lot of magazine waving, lysol spraying, and panic attacks, I trapped it under a cup and Jon squished it. I threw it away as Jon left hurridly to "study." It's one of those instances where I look back and think "Did I really need to act like that?" Or, more importantly, "Did Jon really need to act like that?"

I'm gross.

I somehow got peanut butter on my glasses today. And I might have licked it off. And It might have taken more than one swipe.

I am not a used car salesman for many reasons.

Kenz and I were in the Japanese bookstore, looking at the tiny plastic sausage erasers and Hello Kitty staple removers, when we saw tiny replicas of Eames chairs in 4 inch square boxes. We realized we needed matching Eames Rockers. A tiny alarm went off in my head ("Jon is going to think this is a knick knack...he will not enjoy this..."), but it was ignored, tiny chairs purchased. We came home and opened the boxes, thinking some number in Japanese on the side told us the model we picked out. Not true. One was a molded plastic-type chair, the other a more boring office type chair. We were kind of bummed...They were also way smaller than anticipated (my first two fingers hardly sit comfortably). I figured I'd just return them since they seemed to fall under their return policy.

I went back today to return the chairs. I was greeted with a blank stare. I told her I wanted to return them. She became uncomfortable and was looking at the policy to see how I could be rejected. She muttered something about a "surprise box," and went to get someone else. After a lot of Japanese, girl #2 bluntly told me they fell under the "stationary" category and they were not returnable. Then they blankly stared at me. I was (understandably, I thought) confused. And, when given a blank stare and no talking, I start in with slightly sarcastic questions.

Me: "Stationary? Is that because you can write on tiny plastic chairs?"
Her: (stares)
Me: (stares back)
Her: Actually, they are a surprise box, and you can't return those.
Me: "That's not listed in your policy." (nor on the box--although it's all Japanese)
Her: (stares)
Me: "So... surprise boxes aren't listed on the policy because you want to "surprise" the customer when they want to return it?"
Her: (stares).

You get the idea. After a few seconds I realized that we were in a staring contest and I was competing against a master of stoicism. I made a few frustrated noises, conceded defeat and walked away, although fuming. I bought some tiny bottles of fibe-mini (see below) to ease my anger, and got comfortable with my two new knick knacks.

One more thing--A definition of a "knick-knack" would be a small item placed on display with no real purpose or use. Imagine my surprise when I found my knick-knack hating husband's gift to the book case recently...


So what's worse... a tiny replica of iconic design, or a replica of a housemember's teeth gathering dust?

Can everyone move here?

The bacon-maple bar was about as weird as originally anticipated.

Just some kids, makin pizzas.

After a week of ice cream (5x), doughnuts (2x), and pizza (4x) in a week, I am not so sure.

I have had the best week! Kenz and Tyler came to visit, and Jake, Lindsay and Reese drove down from Moscow for the weekend. It was her birthday, and she decided that 4 extra adults, a 7 hour drive, and an air mattress was a decent way to celebrate. (I owe you!) There was plenty of sunshine, and it was good to hang out with baby Reesie. We definitely need to plan more kids and kids-of-kids only weekends. I tried to fit in a few Portland local faves--Voodoo doughnuts, the Hawthorne district with it's many vintage treasures, NW 23rd, and local ice cream with a few recycling cycling hippies thrown in.

Kenz has straggled behind since she came over 2000 miles, and we have explored Japanese stores, food carts, and the one thing we both love to do--make time-consuming food. And watch Golden Girls. I was hosting book club and we spent the better part of two days making chocolate covered marshmallows (two batches--we messed one up), lemon poppy seed shortbread cookies, spring rolls, and hummus. I'm also glad she was there to alleviate what is usually a stressed out hostess situation. We also tried bubble tea (juice in our case) which was kind of strange, and this Fibe-Mini -- Which was delicious! Tiny bottle, cool label, and 6 grams of fiber. Dreams are made of less than this.

stop animation please!

Also found on this site--a film about a lady who knits miniature sweaters (I mean tiny!). And this film is named "mustachio." There is no need to even ask you to enjoy this, cause you just will. And I might be looking forward to this movie quite a bit.

don't fall for it.

I'm not trying to talk bad about the New Year. But don't you get sick of everyone talking about New Year's resolutions? As someone who has only 5 tv channels and a regular Today viewer, I have seen enough tips to eat healthy, save money, and save money while being healthy to last lifetimes. Don't even get me started on the catchy "New Year, New You" phrases. I still have things I'm trying to work on, however small and vague my goals are.

My main goal was to run outside even if it's raining, because I live in Portland--If I wait for the sun I may be inside until June. So yesterday it was a squelchy, rainy day, but I suited up and started running. One mile in, I was running in a slight drizzle and my headphones made a jarring, brain cracking sound and my music died. I guess you aren't supposed to clip your shuffle to the outside of your jacket in the rain?! I mean, the thing looks like it is made of stainless steel...shouldn't a rainy mist be safe? I'm letting it dry out for a few days to see what happens, (one major tip on the internet--do not turn it on! Wish I would have known that before I tried to turn it back on 10 times.) but it looks like shuffle #2 has eaten it, effectly spitting into the face of my resolution.

New resolution: Get Kenz to visit!

Eight days in, and I'm pretty much done. So here is my New Year tip--Make really small, achievable goals, preferably relying on the actions and choices of someone else. If you don't, mother nature do all in her power to destroy your will.

Slippers, silk PJs, and sunshine!

We had a great Christmas break--we made it to Arizona late Christmas Eve and there was no sleeping in the airport, we spent time with nieces, family and friends, and we put in 22 miles of running in one week! I also got to pick oranges. It was mostly a week of relaxing and eating out way too much (thus the 22 miles...).

But we're back, airing out our old-smelling place and recovering from the "cabin pressure malfunction" on the plane that caused me a little stress. I was waiting for the oxygen masks to drop, and Jon was waiting for the feeling to come back to his hand after my crushing grip. I am blowing this out of proportion, but if you know me, this is normal. My reaction is looming disaster, Jon just wonders why his ears popped so suddenly.

Magnet especially for Jon, hand stitched by Tyler Sasser

First reaction: Punny insult. Second reaction: Horrendously painful grammar. Erin would appreciate.

I made my first quilt with help from Quilt Master Lorrie, made cuter with a sleeping Paige.

Treasured my time with these girls.

Already...

Two years.

Happy Hallidays

I can read your thoughts.

Jon and I in Arizona bound winter wear, waiting for the train, for the bus, for the cab, that would take us back home after a failed attempt to escape this "artic blast" that is frankly, getting a little old.

After you read this post the first thing you think will be: "I'm glad that's not me. I'm glad I was able to fly home to meet my family for Christmas, and not have my flight canceled and likely spend Christmas Eve in an airport. I'm glad I was not stuck in a snow storm trying to get to the airport and have to turn around half way after the second cancellation of the day. I'm glad I needlessly did not open my Christmas presents early. I'm glad my department of transportation has a way to deal with record breaking snow (or any snow)."

After having hopes dashed and moments when I feel like the universe has turned its back, I have to look at the positives. We have a flight scheduled for early Christmas morning that for now is not canceled. We have newly purchased tire tubes for sledding our neighborhood's snowy hills. We have great friends with a fireplace, generosity, and a newly purchased Christmas tree (stranded vacationers band together!) We have saved tons of money in gas while our car sits under a pile of snow.

Sometimes things go wrong, sometimes you actually live out a piece of a horrible 80's Christmas movie plot, but we still have each other and Jon is going to have angel food cake tomorrow. And I have 5 new mini bowls. Everything is going to be ok.

don't eat lunch next to a 5 lb box of chocolate

While eating my lunch...

Co-worker walks into the kitchen.

"So, it looks like someone has taken out a knife to cut all the chocolates in half. I guess they want to see if they like what's inside."

I nod my head. "Yeah, looks like it. But they probably don't want to eat the whole thing, either."

"And, someone really likes dark chocolate. Almost all of them are gone."

"Wow, yeah. Uh huh..."

(So getting out the knife was a bad idea? However, I have no regrets or apologies for eating the dark chocolate.)