Wicked Good

Well, there's really only one word for the show: Swawesome. Absolutely swawesome!

Ready for Oz

Tonight's 3 were a little better than yesterday's 3, and the 3rd mile was probably the best I've had so far this week.

1: 9:11
2: 9:24
3: 9:03

Total Time: 27:39

Anyhoo...I'm just happy that today is Friday because that means that tomorrow I'm off to see the wizard! Or, really, I'm off to see the Wicked Witch of the West!

She's cooler anyway.

So, yeah! "Wicked"! I can't wait. I read the novel years ago and have been waiting to see the musical since it came out, but the last time it toured South Florida, tickets were like $90, and despite what you may believe is a lucrative living, a community college professor is not the richest of professions.

This time I got my ticket at a standard price, and I'm so pumped to finally see the show! You can bet your backside that I'll be listening to a little "Popular" in the morning to get myself in the right frame of mind.

I'm meeting my friends for lunch and then we're going to a matinee of the show. I'll fill you in tomorrow evening on what I think of it, but I'm pretty sure I'll love it -- and I'll be the chick who's buying the over-priced merchandise in the lobby afterward.

So, until then, toodles, darlings!

3 Instead of 4

Tonight, I did not go the "extra mile": instead of doing the 4 I originally planned, I just did 3. Eh. I got out there and was like, "Ya know, I really feel like turning around at the 1.5 mile marker." So I did.

1: 9:30
2: 9:41
3: 9:31

Total Time: 28:44

Yeah, not so speedy, but I'll take it. I think I'm still pooped from my trip and from getting re-aquainted with the home and work fronts.

Return to Running

Last night, I got my first run done in a week. I just did 3 miles, and I didn't bring along Garmy (partially because I knew I wanted to take it slow and easy, and partially because sometimes it's just nice to run without the numbers), but it was a good run. It felt good to get out there and feel the familiar exertion of running.

Tonight, I hope to once again hit the road and get another run in, maybe a 4 miler. I don't have any specific training plan right now (not signed up for any particular races yet between now and the end of the year -- that's a long stretch, so I'm sure I'll fill it), but I do want to resume my regular 5 runs a week with a slightly longer run in the middle of the week and a long(ish) run on the weekend.

I need routine; otherwise, the running feels like it lacks purpose and that's always when I slack off. Best to return to a base and then register for a couple of spring races. Perhaps I will soon be using my $300 airline voucher!

What You've Been Waiting For

Pictures! And stories! Alrighty-right. So, to begin with...long ago in a galaxy far, far away...wait, wrong story. Okay, here goes:

So, I got to MN just fine, despite the fact that I overslept the morning of my flight, and for the first time ever, I truly thought I may not make my flight -- but I was speedy, the lines were short and I made it. Jerry met me at the airport in Minneapolis with the rental car and we headed "up nort." Thursday and Friday were busy with wedding preparation, gift buying, errand running, meeting my brother for lunch, and getting a speeding ticket.

Oopsie. Did you catch that last one? Yeah...um...I had literally driven the rental car 1 mile when I got pulled over, so the lesson learned? In Smalltown, MN, they mean it when they post a speed limit of 30 mph. That hog pulled me over faster than a fat kid gulps down a cupcake, and he promptly ticketed my ass. Thankfully, he gave me a city ticket and not a state ticket -- the difference was about $70.

Anyway, Friday night was the wedding rehersal and the groom's dinner. At the rehersal, I was up to my usual shenanigans -- swaggering up the aisle when it was my turn, swatting my own ass when I passed by Jerry, and declaring, "Yeah! You wanna piece of that?" Seriously, it was just because I was elated that walking through the doors of a church didn't mean that I promptly burst into flames. Anyone would be giddy at that realization. At the groom's dinner afterward, I made myself somewhat notorious by slapping the father of the bride on the ass so hard that my own fingers stung (but the funniest thing was that he got me back later! hil.ar.i.ous).

The next morning, Saturday, we got up early and were at the hair salon at 9 am -- I was totting 2 bottles of champagne and I was ready to rock. This is me an hour into the morning, pretty much buzzed off the Asti-tastic start to the day:By noon, we all had our hair done and were basically shnockered. We went back to the bride's parents' house for some lunch (yummy wild rice soup -- you don't get more MN than that) and Jerry tried to pretend that he didn't know me: By the time the pictures rolled around, I was sobering up some (dangit), but it was probably for the best because I had to stand up straight and look pretty. Here's Jerry and I chillin' in a pew while the pictures were going on: And here I am getting ready for my moment to walk down the aisle as part of the processional. Jerry shot this pic from the top of the stairs and I think he was trying to get an angle that peeked over the top of my dress. Dang husbands. Always trying to manage the "boob shot." Isn't my tan line pretty?
The ceremony was lovely, although I'll admit to zoning out for part of it (the whole kneeling, praying, preaching, candle-lighting portion just isn't my thang), and focused on the upcoming alcohol at the reception.

After the ceremony, the bridal party split and hit up a local bar on our way to the reception. And it was in the parking lot of the bar, on our way outta there, that I gave a few of the groomsmen a peek at my heiny. I just can't help myself: I mean, I'm in a dress, I'm wearing underwear, I'd had a few drinks, I just felt like showing them my arse. But really? It was the bride's brothers and I've known them for forever, so it wasn't like I mooned her grandmother at the reception or anything...

Anyhoo...enough about my posterior, fabulous as it may be. The reception was rockin', and we had a wonderful meal, free beer, and Jerry and I danced our little hearts out. Here we are at the reception enjoying not just the beer, but the free-flowing champagne: Ah, Asti: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. We stayed until they shut the reception hall down, and then we took our tired feet home for the night. It was a good time.

On Sunday, we met my parents in Brainerd for lunch and coffee afterward so we could sit and visit with one another. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas 2006, so it was good to see them in person and chat. I felt bad that we couldn't spend more time with them, but they knew that we were there for the wedding and they understood that we had limited time. Besides, they should haul their asses down to see me every once in awhile (the last time they were here was for MY wedding -- November 2005). Here's the fam-damily at the restaurant, with a bear. What can I say? It's the "up nort" decor.From the left: my stepdad, my mom, my brother, me, and Jerry (hiding behind me).

After that, you pretty much already know the tale: we drove back to the cities and I spent all day Monday in the airport. Viola. Finito-burrito.

All in all, a grand time, but phew! I'm pooped. I feel like this afternoon is the first chance I've been home since last Wednesday, and I pretty much feel like I have the same plans as a week ago: cleaning up the house (how can we be home less than 48 hours and already have a mess? it's a mystery), doing laundry, and planning a run. I hope the run doesn't kill me. I haven't had so many days off of running in at least 6 months. I'll let you know if I don't die out there.

Flew in Last Night

And boy, are my arms tired!

Har-har.

Anyhoo, yes, the hubby and I arrived home at about 12:30 am last night (or, more accurately, this morning). Originally, we were on separate flights, and I was scheduled to get in around 5:30 pm and he was scheduled to fly in at 11:40 pm, but as I was waiting at the gate for my flight, they announced that they had over-sold the flight and were requesting volunteers to get bumped to the later flight. I volunteered and got on the same flight as Jerry, I got a $300 voucher (which helps re-coup some of the cost of having to change his ticket), I got some meal vouchers, and I got to fly first class (it's glorious up there -- I never want to return to coach again).

Despite the perks, the day was long because I was essentially at the airport or on a plane from 11 am until 11:40 pm. Needless to say, I am now very familiar with the MSP airport, I finished my book "Stardust" and read about half of another ("Bringing Down the House" -- interesting, very interesting -- makes me want to visit Vegas).

So, with only 6 hours of sleep, here I am: back at school, and I don't know if I can fully express how much I don't want to work today. Especially because Tuesday is my long day and I'm here until 9 pm this evening. Uck.

Oh well, I'll muscle through: I'm tough. And highly caffeinated.

We did have a great trip, and I have some great pics to post, but I don't have time today. Soon, I promise some entertainment soon. I also hope to run tomorrow. It's been a full week since I last ran, and my legs are starting to atrophy -- well, maybe that's in part to the 12 hours I spent sitting yesterday.

Checking In

It's been busy and I haven't had a chance to run or blog since leaving FL on Thursday morning. But the wedding was great, I looked rockin', I managed to not show too many people my ass, and I am not hungover today, so I think I can declare my part in everything a success.

Today we drive back to the Twin Cities and tomorrow we fly back home to FL. Then you can expect a full report with pictures and anecdotes.

Until then, I hope everyone is behaving themselves -- catch up with you homies soon!

Ready to Go

Everything is organized for my classes while I'm gone.

The house is clean.

My bags are packed.

I went for a 3 miler this evening.

Now I need to take Scooter to a friend's house.

And then get to bed early this evening.

I have to get up at 5 am for my flight to MN tomorrow.

I may or may not run while there and may or may not blog.

If not, I return Monday evening.

So until then, peace.

Seven Things About Scooter

So, Anthony tagged me, but because I already did a "7 things about Jess" post last week, I figure I can turn the spotlight on my #1 squeeze this week: Scooter, my dog. Jerry's been gone since Sunday, and before that, he'd been camping, so it's pretty much just been Scooter and I for the past week. And while you may feel as though you know Scooter, here are some little known facts about my d-o-double-g:

1. Scooter has a lot of nicknames: El Scooterino, Scoots, Scootsie, Copper Top, Buddy, Fur Baby, Scootsie-Bootsie, and Scootah-Bootah. It's a wonder he knows his name at all.

2. Scooter sleeps with us in the bed, under the covers. He likes to burrow down and sleep by our feet. But since Jerry's been gone, he snuggles up on Jerry's side with his little puppy head on the pillow and the covers up around his neck. I think he thinks he's a person.

3. Scooter's worst fear is the vacuum cleaner. All I have to do is open the closet where the vacuum is stored and he's outta there.

4. After either Jerry or I get out of the shower, Scooter likes to hop in the shower and lick up the leftover water. Must taste like human-juice.

5. Scooter loves socks. But only socks that have just come off your dirty, stinky foot. Every day when Jerry gets home from work, he sits down and takes his socks halfway off his feet, and Scooter takes them off the rest of the way. Then he (Scooter, not Jerry) runs all over the house in sock-triumph. He especially loves my socks after I've returned from a run. Yum-O!

6. If given the chance, Scooter will eat a dryer sheet faster than you can say "Bounce." In general, he thinks laundry time is da bomb -- there's the chance he can sneak in a dryer sheet snack, he likes to lay in the warm laundry while I'm folding it, and there's always the chance that a rogue sock will cross his path.

7. Scooter will kill you for a Twizzler. He *hearts* Twizzlers. Strawberry flavored, please.

So, that's it -- all you need to know and more about my little brown dog. I tried to post some cute Scooter-pics to help illustrate the 7, but Blogger is being a be-atch. Enjoy without the pics, and if you'd like to share the bits and pieces of random tidbits about your own pets, consider yourself tagged.

Yee's Yoga

Part of my New Year's Running Resolutions was to work on the 3 "S's" of running: speed, strength, and stretching. So far this year, I have been good about working on my speed. But the strength and stretching? Yeah, not so much.

So instead of running today, I decided to do a form of exercise that I think achieves both those two neglected "S's": yoga.

I first took Scooter for a 1.5 mile walk (I would have walked further, but Scooter's patented "stop and sniff" method of walking makes it slow going exercise), then I came home, got out the yoga mat, pushed back the coffee table, and popped in a yoga DVD. Damn, it was tough.

It was Rodney Yee's "Power Yoga" and that dude (with his stretchy shorts and all-too-noticeable-bulge) really gives you a workout. I was 30 minutes and a countless number of sun salutations and warrior poses into it and I was sweating up a storm. When I finished the 60 minute program, my shoulders were a little shaky and I was pooped. I lay quite happily in corpse pose at the close. I do feel wonderfully stretched though (all those down dogs felt good on my calves and hammy's).

Now, I think I will make myself some dinner, drink the rest of a bottle of wine, and read my book ("Stardust" by Neil Gaimen -- just as good as the movie).

No Bereavement for You!

Thank you for all the condolences regarding Jerry's grandfather; they are appreciated. His grandfather's death was not a total surprise (he's been fighting Alzheimer's for years and has been in especially poor health the last 2 years), but losing a loved one is always tough on a family. So, we were able to secure a flight for Jerry to MN this morning, and I had to get up at the ass-crack of dawn to drive him to the airport.

I feel kinda bad not going with him, but I was already planning on taking Thursday, Friday, and Monday off because I'll be in MN for my friend's wedding on the 15th and to take off more days would be hard for me -- not just because my store of personal days would be tapped, but because missing that many days of class is really hard (missing a day of teaching essentially doubles my workload). Plus, it was clusterfuck enough to change/cancel his ticket.

See, I thought it wouldn't be a big deal: I call Travelocity, change his outbound flight from Thursday (original ticket) to today, pay the fee (I was guessing somewhere around $200), and viola! That'd be it. But, they had a different plan: sorry, bitch, that ain't happenin'.

Wha?

Apparently, if you don't fly out on a round trip ticket, you may not return on that ticket's original return flight. So, essentially, we had to buy a whole new round-trip ticket. And when I asked the Travelocity representative if there was a discount because of bereavement, he simply said: "We don't do that anymore." (I guess you have to book directly with the airline in order to get a bereavement discount; now I know.)

Needless to say, I was so frustrated with Travelocity yesterday morning that I wanted to come through the phone line, all the way to India, and strangle that fucker (even though it's not his fault). Eventually, I got Jerry a flight, had to pay dearly for it, but we got him one and by now he's in MN with his family. The wake is tomorrow; funeral Tuesday. And he'll just stay there and meet me at the airport on Thursday, and we'll continue our week there as planned for the wedding. For some reason, it seems appropriate to me to have a funeral and a wedding so close together -- the symbolism seems to say something important about life -- plus, Jerry is gonna get a lot of use outta his [one] suit this week.

Anyhoo...hope everyone enjoys their Sunday and remembered to turn their clocks forward (effing Daylight Savings -- I'm probably the one person in the US who thinks it's a crock 'o shit, but maybe I'm just bitter about losing that 1 hour of sleep). Chat at ya later homies! Peace.

St Paddy's 4 Miler Race Report

About 5 minutes before my alarm this morning, the bedroom filled suddenly with light and I was startled awake. Shortly afterward, the following thunder boomed. I got up and looked out the windows to discover a thunderstorm: lightning was flashing close by and the rain was pouring down.

Races will be held in rain, but most runners won't run in lightning, so I went back to bed assuming that the race would be cancelled. About 15 minutes later, I woke up and heard...nothing. It was still sprinkling, but there was no lightning and no thunder. The race would be on; I knew it.

So I pulled on my racing stuff and headed out. It continued to sprinkle on the way, and the clouds were ominous, but there was no more lightning, and when I arrived at the race, sure enough, it was "on."

Despite the off and on rain and the blustering wind, I actually appreciated the cloudy, cool morning because I always run a little better when it's cooler, and it turned out to be a good race:

1: 8:35
2: 8:47
3: 9:01 (was headed right into the wind for this mile)
4: 8:49

Total Time: 35:17!!!

Yeah, bitches! I rocked it.

By then end, it had resumed a steady rain, so I didn't stick around for any post-race festivities; I made a beeline for the car and got there just in time because it really started to pour once I got in the car. It looks like it the storm may linger for the day (hard to tell since it's not even 9 am yet), but it doesn't matter because I already got my run done for today!

On a more somber note, we learned yesterday evening that Jerry's grandfather passed away. Jerry is camping right now, so his dad called him on his cell last night to inform him of the bad news. I think Jerry will pack up camp and return today, so I need to try and find him a flight to MN for tomorrow or Monday so he can attend the funeral.

Today, I Rest

Because, tomorrow I race.

I have a 4 miler tomorrow morning. I've never raced a 4 miler before, so anything will be a PR; still, I am aiming for something sub-40 minutes.

Rainy Run

So, the reason it's been so humid lately is probably because this big-ass thunderstorm moved into the area today, and we've been getting bucketloads of rain all afternoon. At 4:30, I figured it looked pretty calm out, so I put on the running duds and headed outside. Within minutes, it started to drizzle on me.

Not so bad. I don't mind running in a drizzle; it keeps me cool.

But then after mile 2, the sky opened up and poured. Big, fat drops of rain in sheets. Thankfully, my plan was only a 3 miler because I was soaked and to go any further would've been uncomfortable.

You'd think the rain would have prompted me to move my ass, but this week I seem to be suffering from a condition known simply as "drag-ass" (yes, that is the technical term), which means that no matter what, I can't seem to pick up the pace.

1: 9:20
2: 9:40
3: 9:36

Total Time: 28:39

Well, it's not bad, it just hasn't felt fast at all this week.

So...because I can't figure out how to upload a YouTube video on Blogger, you guys should go there yourselves and look up the trailer for the upcoming movie "Run Fatboy Run"! I saw the preview for the first time last night and I gotta say, it looks awesome! It combines two of my favorite things: British comedy (stars "Shaun of the Dead" frontman Simon Pegg) and running (in it, the main character resolves to run the London marathon in order to prove his love). Anyhoo, go look it up. I command it. And if you have a moment, also tell me how to upload YouTube videos on here.

Hump Day

I had another non-eventful, yet productive day today: still working on that damn pile of student papers, cleaned the house, did the laundry, and paid some bills. As I mentioned in my post last night, I finished "Pillars" yesterday, so I was left without a book today. Part of me was thinking of going to Barnes and Noble and buying a few new ones, but then a larger part of me was lazy and didn't feel like leaving the house. So, I stole a book off the hubby's stack and started that.

It's the first in Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series: "The Gunslinger." I've always wanted to read the series, but have never gotten around to it, so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I'm about 70 pages in, and honestly, I don't think much of it. Although, I have heard that the first volume is not that great, supposedly you're supposed to give the series a few volumes before it really gets good. Which I'm not so sure about. I think I'll finish this one see how it ends before giving more in the series a go.

This evening, I went for a 6 miler, but I didn't realize that the Garmin was low on battery life, so after 3 miles, it pooped out on me. So no splits to report. However, I can tell you that the run felt good, and I mostly felt like I was on auto-pilot, so I guess that's a testament to how smoothly it went.

One thing I have noticed in the last few days, though, is that it has been extremely humid here. On my past few runs, I've been sweatin' buckets. Reminds me that soon we'll be moving into "rainy season" (aka, the god-awful-heat-of-summer). Blech. Here, the seasons are so the opposite in pleasantness compared to northern states: everyone else is looking forward to spring and summer, and here in FL, we're sad to see the temperate winter months start to fade away.

I Can't Sleep

This happens from time to time: A touch of insomnia. Nothing in particular keeping me awake, just can't fall asleep. Like I said, it happens occasionally and I just roll with it. So, what to do with my waking hours? Finished my book, so here I am -- on the blogs.

And MPA had a meme of "7 random things" on her blog and she sorta tagged us all, so I figured that might help while away my time. However, I have trouble with the "random" aspect, so I figured I'd modify it for my own purposes. And what will that purpose be, you ask? Well, I figure there are already many random things you people know about me, but on the whole, I try to cast myself in a positive light. I show you my good side, if you will. (I often think of the blog as a first date -- that's why I don't touch subjects like religion or politics on here even though I have definitive thoughts on both -- politeness, humor, amusing anecdotes, these are what I strive for.)

But, since we're on like the 900-something-th date by now, I suppose I should reveal some of the not-so-pretty truths about Jess. So, here are "7 things I'm NOT proud of":

1. I sucked my thumb until I was in 1st grade. And I only stopped because I fell off the monkey bars and bit through my tongue, thus making the thumb-sucking too painful to continue. The result of 6, almost 7, years of thumb-sucking? Intensive orthodontia as a pre-teen.

2. I add everything in relationship to the number 12. An example: If you asked me to add 7 + 8 together, the following would be my thought process. I'd start with thinking of 8, then knowing that 8 +4 = 12, I'd add the 4 part of 7 to 8 and then add the other part of 7 (which is 3) to that and...viola! 15. Needless to say, I am what you could call a "math-tard"; basically, I suck at math.

3. The first time I got high I was in 7th grade and I did so by huffing gasoline. It was myself and 3 friends, and we used the gas from a gas can one of my friends took out of his dad's shed (it was gas for the lawnmower). I remember being high and laying in a field staring at the stars. The moment, and especially the stars, seemed profound at the time.

4. I used to shoplift. It started when I was in high school with small things like make up and cheap jewelry from places like Claire's. Then it got much riskier. I stole clothing (lots of it: shirts, bras, underwear, dresses, even socks and pantyhose). I stole sunglasses, picture frames, perfume. I even stole a gift for my mom on Mother's Day one year. I stopped doing it sometime it college.

5. I once broke up with a high school boyfriend simply by ignoring him. Just decided one day to stop talking to him. Stopped receiving his calls, etc. Never gave him a reason, nothing. Just stopped talking to him. At school, he'd try to talk to me, and I'd just walk past him or walk away. Eventually, he gave up. He used to pass me in the hall and give me this hang-dog look that must've been pitiful, but at the time, I found it nauseating. In retrospect, this seems like one of the cruelest things I've ever done.

6. When I was 16, I did a hit-and-run. Don't worry, I got punished for it. Cops found me. Worse yet, my mother found me. I was in deep shit.

7. I talk on my cell phone while driving. A lot. This one feels particularly hypocritical since whenever I see some driver swerving slightly or going slower than other traffic and I observe that he/she is on the cell, I say things like: "Damn person driving and yakking on that cell!" But, then when I'm by myself, I do the same thing. Thing is? I get kinda bored in the car by myself.

So that's it for now, folks. If you'd like to tag yourself, go ahead. You don't have to do mine, you can do the "7 random things," or you can even adapt the list how you see fit. That's the wonder of having your own blog.

I think I'll go give sleep another try now. Nighty-night.

More of the Same

My day today was much like yesterday: graded more papers, ran some miscellaneous errands in the afternoon, read for awhile, and then went for a run. I did 3 miles this evening and they were really lackluster, and I felt like I was dragging 10 extra pounds in my ass:

1: 9:25
2: 9:30
3: 9:41

Total Time: 28:36

Although, now that I look at the numbers, the miles don't appear that bad, but man, they felt like crap. Oh well. Now they're done.

Jerry had to go to a funeral this evening (for a guy he worked with, who I didn't know, so I was excused from attending), so I'm gonna take a cue from Scooter (a dog who takes chillaxin' to a whole new level) --
-- and curl up with my book for the rest of the evening.

It was a busy day on break; I spent the morning grading papers and actually accomplished quite a bit, then in the afternoon, I ran some errands and picked up my bridesmaid dress for the wedding next week.

Here's my best movie start pose in it:Granted, a movie star would have showered, had her hair done, and her make up applied for such a photo, but you get the idea.

After my busy day, I did some more reading ("Pillars" is definitely good, but be forewarned, it is lengthy) and then put in a 4 miler:

1: 917
2: 9:05
3: 9:18
4: 9:22

Total Time: 37:04

The shuffle again served me well this evening and I love that tiny little thing.

Shamrock Shuffle: 4 Miles with the New Shuffle

Had another relaxing day that mostly involved laying around and reading. I'm reading Ken Follet's "The Pillars of the Earth." Jerry read it about a year ago and loved it, and he got the sequel "World Without End" for Christmas, so I figured I'd give the book a go. It's good, but lengthy (about 1,000 pages), so even though I've been reading all weekend, I'm only about 400 pages into it.

Anyhoo, this afternoon, I was feeling sufficiently rested, so I decided to take the new shuffle out for a maiden voyage (spent the morning downloading tunes to it; most I transferred from our Real Player library, and the rest I got from the iTunes store -- Jerry conceded in his hatred of iProducts and bought me an iTunes GC yesterday so I got to buy much of my music that couldn't be transferred from Real Player). It traveled well, and is so tiny, I barely even know it's there.

Next to the old mp3, which looks like Goliath, it is just minuscule:I did 4 miles, and they were way slower than my speedy 4 last week, but they were fine miles:

1: 9:20
2: 9:24
3: 9:27
4: 9:30

Total Time: 37:43

We'll just use the trusty label of "positive" splits for the gradual slowing down, and then I don't feel quite so pokey.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend -- and have fun at work tomorrow! (Suckers! I'm gonna sleep in and eat bon-bons all day! Kidding. I actually have about 100 papers to start reading and half a dozen errands I'd like to run, but I just thought I'd rub it in a bit that I'm break this week, ha!)

Lazy Day

The game was fun last night; although, admittedly, I watched very little of it. I mostly drank, enjoyed the food and socialized. This morning, I felt fine, and was supposed to meet up with Erin and Ryan for the Humane Society Dog Walk (a fundraising event in which participants bring their dogs, go for a short walk, and procedes go to the county's humane society), but as I was lying in bed, the idea of getting up, driving downtown, parking, etc just wasn't appealing. However, the idea of lying in bed longer was appealing, so I called and told them that Scooter and I were sleeping in.

I can't tell you how glorious it was.

And really, I spent the whole day today doing nothing, and it was everything I hoped it could be. Jerry and I had breakfast on the back porch, I read, I napped, I read some more, napped some more, made a nice dinner and am now planning on perhaps some more reading and then going to bed early.

For about 2 months now, I don't think I've had a weekend where I didn't have something going on -- company, a race, out of town, a social event, etc -- and enjoying a lazy day is all I've been craving lately. So today has been very satisfying: I feel more rested and relaxed than I have since Christmas break, ahhhhhh....