"Between the Racks"

Good morning all you ambitious shoppers! I can't believe some of you actually made it out this morning before the sun came up! It is so impressive that stores have convinced us that the "early bird gets the worm," and that the best deals are only found on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving. This year I really hope that they get into the black, because our economy needs a surge of spending. Well, that's always my excuse!

I also think that some of us view it as a tradition shared with our mothers and daughters. It is so fun to go out and have a game plan, team up to find the best deals and really come out with a win. It our version of football! (yes, I know its a stretch) And there is always a chance of being knocked out by a flying shoe or shoved into a rack of clothing. I believe that's a "sack."

Coach took me out of the game this year, I am riding the bench and doing minimal online shopping. So girls enjoy swiping your plastic today, finding great deals and gifts for you and your loved ones. I am so very proud of you and a little green with envy!

Thanksgiving of Don'ts

Well, it has been a while since my fingers have graced my keyboard for pleasure. Work has been crazy, life is fast and time isn't on my side. I feel like I'm chasing the Sun sometimes, and trying to get the most out of every minute that I breathe. Well, this morning its time to talk Thanks. I would like to bring a new light to this because typically it is what you are thankful for, but I am going to talk about what I am thankful that I don't have.

I am thankful that I don't have animals that I have to board or put off onto someone else while I travel to see family and friends. Hair all of Grandmother Frances pants would just piss her off and I don't want to hear the "Twelve Barks of Christmas" while I enjoy my turkey.

I am thankful that I don't have a boyfriend or husband so I can go where I want for Thanksgiving and not have to put up with artistic aunt Alice's decoupage ornaments or crazy cousin Chris's stories from his blackout the night before.

I am thankful that I don't have a family that hates each other. The worst is trying to do place cards at a table to avoid physical harm to others. Yes, I have been witness to this. Some of you may know with whom. Hahaha.

I am thankful that I don't live far away so I can just travel one hour down the road to hug my wonderful parents. (sometimes I am not so thankful for this - but since it is Thanksgiving, I am thankful.)

I am thankful that I don't have any money so I can't go shopping on Black Friday. Seriously people, Target at 4:00am? Has anyone ever heard of online shopping or therapy?

I am thankful that I don't have children. While I think they are the miracle of life and wonderful (and yes, I do want them one day) the last thing I want to do while I am pouring another glass of cider is to hear the baby crying. I mean, turkey puts us in a coma, we are watching football and napping, and now we have to be upstanding role models for our children? Please, I will pass.

I hope that everyone has a joyous and safe holiday. A few words of advice:

Only fry a turkey before you have had three drinks, its like getting a FUI "Frying Under the Influence" seriously, its dangerous.

Do not weight yourself the day after Thanksgiving. You may go into a deep depression that not even Tony Robbins can pull you out of.

Call everyone that you love, or like for that matter. Your friends and family are the bread and butter of life. Make sure they know that.

I love you all. XOXO

More true words were never spoken...

Well, I had a catastrophe last night. I was tucking in for a relaxing afternoon on the couch after working all night Saturday night and I decided I should paint my nails. Of course, by now you all understand my obsession, and this wouldn't be an abnormal activity for a seasoned "polish queen" to do on her couch. Over the past few polish changes I have really wanted to get back into my Lincoln Park After Dark, and it has been painted shut. Well, I tried another trapped color, Strawberry Margarita and it opened, so I thought for sure LPAD had loosened up as well. Boy was I wrong. I tried and tried and then decided the smart thing to do was to bang it against my ottoman - big mistake, big! HUGE! It exploded like a Pollack painting ALL over my beautiful linen colored couch. AHHHHH! Talk about a pot hole in your polish!

So the first thing I did was call mom. Yes, I am 27 and can't make a critical decision without her. It would be wrong and unnatural. So she gasped, and then Googled (as did I.) The first thing that came up was "If you spill nail polish on your couch, get a slipcover." Thanks a lot genius - It must have been written by a man, they try to cover everything up. So I decided to be patient and let it dry. I started to self soothe and attempted to put it out of my mind but realized it was all over my legs, hands and rug as well. So after I cleaned myself up I went to CVS to come down from the polish high and get some essentials. I came across more nail polish and couldn't resist...so I painted my nails right there in the store. It only took about a minute and Pure Petunia looks so good on my nails and off my couch!

So to end this ironic tale, I came home this afternoon to my new art piece and decided to do something. I started to pick at the dried polish with my nails and it actually PEELED OFF! I can't even believe it! I am so relieved, overjoyed and exhausted. Needless to say, I won't be painting in the Dark for a while.

Your past is your present!

I happened to be thumbing through an old journal this morning and came across several passages from 2006-2007. At the time I was going through transition in Charlotte, and little did I know I was moving my pawn into the shortest path to the King, Washington DC, my favorite place on earth. There were a lot of things that surprised me about the entries: the fact that I was blaming myself for the bad relationship I was in, that I was still criticizing my weight and finally, that I was actively dreaming of DC. It is amazing how without your past you can never be who you are in the present. Without each of those feelings, mostly of insecurity and discovery, I accomplished my dream and ROCKED IT. It does conjure feelings of sadness (and yes, I am guilty as charged for watching A Capital Fourth and balling my eyes out,) but also feelings of control and empowerment! I did it! I had a dream and went for it. It cost me a relationship, but it gave me a world of endless possibilities. The girl in those entries was inspired by something, and it is time for that girl to find something new to draw inspiration from.

The following is an entry from April 14, 2008, my first spring living in DC. These things are such a blessing and a present to myself.

"Things I LOVE about DC"

*Cherry Blossoms

*Reservoir Road - the smell of fabric softener coming from the historic homes

*The white house on the corner of 35th and Res - the vines on the porch create a wonderful canopy over the porch. Just beautiful :)

*The cobblestone streets that attack your high heels

*Watching people row on the Potomac

*Driving around the monuments at night: The Washington Monument, stunning. The best, Jefferson Memorial

*The Capitol's floor - tiles that have been walked on by greatness, and me.

I think its time for a new dream, now I just have to find the inspiration.

The road leads back to you

Well, I have officially started my running obsession again. I have FINALLY broken in the new shoes, that caused me to walk like an old man and cause multiple days of pain. But hey, its worth it! I have just discovered map my run, an online way to track how far you run. It is like google directions for your feet! This morning I ran 4.02 miles and I couldn't feel better! My friend Barb said 95% of the battle is getting on your shoes and getting out the door - well, she couldn't be more right!

I also love to run without headphones sometimes. It gives me the opportunity to really hear the world around me and become one with my 30+ minutes by myself. I also love the fact that Miranda and I have a pact to call each other no later than 6:30am every morning to keep on track. Well, it is day two of the morning exercise and I am excited to head out tomorrow morning. I just have to make sure to keep the paths interesting, the tunes new and the water when I get back cool.

I considered this morning while running down W Paces Ferry to run into the houses that line the peaceful street and say "get up and get moving!!" I just couldn't stand that people were wasting the opportunity to see the day when it was actually bearable to be outside. Well, there is always tomorrow morning for them.

Have a great day and you all should do one thing that inspires you to say "HEY! Get up and get moving!!" Or at the very least, get up. I know that can sometimes be the hardest part!