Hi there.

How are you? I’ve been running, spent some QT with Mr. SOTSS and yesterday I had an epic milkshake. Yeah, I said epic.I know the word gets overused, but I mean it. I’m not being dramaticOK, let me back up and tell you about my week first and then we’ll get back to that milkshake.

RUNNING

I had another solid week in freelance-ville and like last week, I was able to get a few short runs in on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and the theme for all 3 was HOT and HUMID!

HOT and sweaty...the pits don't lie

HOT and sweaty…the pits don’t lie

 

Thursday trail run because shade was necessary

Thursday trail run because shade was necessary

Sunday pictureless 4

Sunday pictureless 4

RELATIONSHIPS

I ended up seeing Mr. SOTSS 4 days straight which is a lot for us unless we’re on vacation. It was lovely though. We went shopping so I could to pick out a birthday gift for his daughter, spent lots of time with the pooches, rented a movie (we saw Room—and it was really good!) and just enjoyed a whole lot of conversation. He even made me coffee in the mornings and cooked Sunday dinner for us.

The dogs fell asleep while we watched the movie. I think they were hoping we could rent the Secret Life of Pets.

The dogs fell asleep while we watched the movie. I think they were hoping we could rent the Secret Life of Pets.

After walking in the rain. Not amused

After walking in the rain. Not amused

Duncan loves his "PapaG"

Duncan loves his “PapaG”

We’ve been together now just over 2 years. The first 3 months were truly the “get to know each other” months. Dates were once every couple of weeks and eventually we added in our every Thursday evening weekly date. Somewhere over the next month or so things really clicked and we knew this wasn’t a casual dating scenario anymore. We really complement each other so well and I’m so grateful that he is in my life, and I am in his.

I told you his smile is as big as the smiley emoticon I usually use to cover his face.

I told you his smile is as big as the smiley emoticon I usually use to obscure his face.

We obviously don’t live together (we don’t even live in the same state—although we’re only 30 minutes away) but we make sure to take the time now to talk about how it will be to share a home in the future. We’re really clear with each other about things we will need, want, be willing to compromise on, etc. It sounds so silly but you can never be too prepared. I’ve lived alone since my husband died in 1999. In 2000, I purchased my home which is my haven and my pride and joy. I love having my own space and I’m not the most flexible when I’m out of my element.

Returning to my home sweet home yesterday

Returning to my home sweet home yesterday

So I let him know that it would be imperative for me to have a separate space for my graphic design studio that would also be set up as a mini apartment for me, a place I can escape to (and hide my stash of peppermint patties so he can’t find them 🙂 . I envision it like a little cottage in the backyard with a pathway of scattered stones leading up to it. Lots of windows because I love natural light! And he will have his shop/garage where he can do his woodworking and home reno projects and work on his car. He’s volunteered to be make the beds and I’ll be the Swiffer-er! The good thing about meeting later in life is that we really have the wisdom and the determination to make a relationship work. Communication, compromise and above all mutual respect and kindness.

MILKSHAKE MADNESS
And now I’ll tell you about the milkshake that changed my life. My sister-in-law emailed me last week asking if I was going to be free yesterday because she wanted to take my niece to this restaurant in the city called Black Tap that she heard about that had some amazing milkshakes. I told her yes which meant doing some work over the weekend so I’d have the window of free time yesterday. We arrived at Black Tap about 30 minutes before they opened and there was already a line to get in. It was a short line and we were seated almost immediately after they opened. I hear that if you try and go later in the day you could wait 2 hours!

black-tap-milkshake

Yes that’s a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich attached to the side of the glass like a garnish!

black-tap-cookie-shake

cookie milkshake from Black Tap

My sister in law got the black forrest shake. It was chocolate everywhere with brownies on top. Tasted very much like black forrest cake

My sister in law got the black forrest shake. It was chocolate everywhere with brownies on top. Tasted very much like black forrest cake

I got the chocolate chip cookie shake. It was a vanilla milkshake with mini chocolate chips and cookie crumbles tossed in. There was also an entire ice cream sandwich attached to it. And chocolate frosting and cookie crumbs were covering the outside of the glass along the rim.

I got the chocolate chip cookie shake. It was a vanilla milkshake with mini chocolate chips and cookie crumbles tossed in. There was also an entire ice cream sandwich attached to it. And chocolate frosting and cookie crumbs were covering the outside of the glass along the rim.

Niece got the cotton candy shake. It was a strawberry milkshake with insane amounts of sweets on top. Rock candy and lollipops and cotton candy.

Niece got the cotton candy shake. It was a strawberry milkshake with insane amounts of sweets on top. Rock candy and lollipops and cotton candy.

My niece who now towers over me. I'm a shortie. She's a beauty.

My niece who now towers over me. I’m a shortie. She’s a beauty.

How cool is this shot I took of a door to the building the restaurant is in

How cool is this shot I took of a door to the building the restaurant is in

And now I am off to my couch to work…..oh wait….I’m already there 😉

Happy Tuesday! Happy August! Happy Summer!

What’s the most epic dessert you’ve ever had?
Are you good at relationships? Can you compromise?
How have your running workouts been lately?

Hey there internet friends. How goes it? Last week was my first week back at freelance life full-time.

I had a great week. I managed to work enough hours to earn what I need to earn weekly (1 down and 51 more to go for a successful year!), got lots of stuff done around the house and also fit in a few short runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Freelance life

Freelance life! Duncan spent every morning from 9am-noon in this position while I worked.

Running in the heat on Tuesday

Running in the heat on Tuesday

Running in the heat on Thursday

Running in the heat on Thursday

Running in the heat on Friday

Running in the heat on Friday while waiting for my hats to dry

Weekend of Sailing

Friday evening I drove out to Long Island with Mr. SOTSS and his girls for a weekend of sailing with his dad and his dad’s wife. We went last year over Memorial Day Weekend and it was a bit cooler.

This guy! He keeps me on course and anchored.

This guy! He keeps me on course and anchored.

We had so much fun and really enjoyed the breeze while at sea.

Me and Mr. SOTSS' daughters just hanging

Me and Mr. SOTSS’ daughters just hanging.

We traveled across the Long Island Sound to Connecticut. It took about 3 1/2 hours. We stayed overnight and slept on the boat and then traveled back the next day. There’s no better way to relax than sitting on a boat at sea. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery. Not to mention I enjoyed the quality time spent with Mr. SOTSS and his family. I love his girls so much. They’re adorable, funny and we have so much fun playing games and being silly. Oh, and his oldest has been teaching me how to swim properly! We worked on me just going underwater without holding my nose. Arms and leg kicks will come next. I was the official hair braider. French braids for his oldest, a pair of pigtail braids for his youngest and a single side braid for me 🙂

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I didn’t run all weekend but got back to it yesterday with a run/walk. It was in the upper 90s and I figured I’d just take it easy. No sense pushing myself during my non-training season right?IMG_4648

I saw the tallest sunflower in the front yard of a house I ran past. IMG_4645

Then, last night there was a wicked thunderstorm. It blew through quickly but took out my power for about 5 hours but it also left a rainbow! IMG_4695

While I waited for power to be restored I had a few bowls of cereal. Didn’t want the milk to spoil 🙂IMG_4702

Working hard to restore power

Working hard to restore power

This morning I took Duncan to the park for a walk knowing we’re in for another super hot day.

IMG_4720And now I’m going to take care of a few freelance assignments.

How was your week? weekend? Tell me 3 good things.

Hi everyone,

Happy Monday. I haven’t felt the urge to write much lately. Not really sure why. I’ll just blame the heat. I am one of the rare ones who doesn’t love summer heat.

I still managed to get out and walk for a bit a few days last week on my lunch break. Even when it rained.

Just walking at lunch in a drizzle

Just walking at lunch in a drizzle

Anyhoo, I didn’t run at all for an entire week but yesterday I decided to give it a go.

Getting ready for my first run in a week. 87 degrees out.

Getting ready for my first run in a week. 87 degrees out.

I had some various running injuries…a.k.a. “runjuries” that I hoped would ease up in the week I didn’t run and happy to report that I definitely had some improvement.

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My left hip had been sore for a few weeks. I don’t really know the cause although my theory revolves around the fact that it started over the 2 months that I was driving to and from work for 40-60 minutes each way and being quite sedentary during the day at the office, and also running mostly in the late evenings where I basically was sedentary right afterward. I think the hip got stiff.

My right foot arch had been sore for about a week. My theory for that is that my dress sandals that I’ve been wearing a whole lot over the last 2 months (due to the dress code at work) were a bit big on me and I was scrunching my foot unconsciously to keep the shoe from falling off.

I’m happy to report both of those sore spots were completely gone when I ran yesterday which makes me so happy.

woo hoo!

woo hoo!

The knee, (which was a huge issue last year) was much better and I’ll continue to foam roll and try not to run on any sloped roads and I’m sure in another week or so I’ll be able to up my mileage if I want.

For those of you that read here regularly you know I took the full time job a few months ago in addition to retaining my freelance graphic design business. Well, I decided the full time job wasn’t a good fit for me. I knew in my heart within the first week but gave it time just to be sure. So I wrapped up last week and now I’m happily back to my freelance life. Ironically the one thing I worried about wasn’t really an issue at all. I worried I wouldn’t be able to get my runs in, but I totally managed to get in 3-4 runs a week the entire 10 weeks including many awesome runs on those Friday evenings along the tow path by the office. But the job ended up not matching the description that I was under the impression it would be. I wasn’t being utilized fully. My skill set and senior level expertise weren’t being tapped into and I really wasn’t feeling very fulfilled. I’m really glad I gave it a whirl though. I learned a lot, especially how to work on a PC after only working on a Mac for the last over 20 years 🙂

Bye bye office building....hello again home office

Bye bye office building….hello again home office

I spent the weekend with Mr. SOTSS. We saw the Secret Life of Pets on Friday night and I was so disappointed. After the cute first 10 minutes or so it got a little too violent for me. I’m too sensitive to see animals getting hurt. Even animated ones. But the popcorn didn’t let me down. So there’s the silver lining.

Why is movie popcorn so good?

Why is movie popcorn so good?

On Saturday Mr. SOTSS and I took a drive down to the Jersey Shore. I wanted to just walk along the beach and maybe put my toes in the water. We didn’t look at the weather forecast and as soon as we arrived the sky got dark and severe thunderstorms came through. We ducked into a restaurant for a quick bite and then resigned ourselves to the fact that the rain was only getting heavier so we ran as fast as we could the 1/4 mile back to the car and left.

IMG_4350I read online later that 2 people actually got struck by lightening not too far away from where we were.

I love Mr. SOTSS’ backyard. When you sit out on the deck you really feel like you’re in a remote part of the world on vacation. We started our day yesterday with our morning coffee outside.

pooches at our feet

pooches at our feet

Morning coffee

Morning coffee

Then, we dined alfresco as well for dinner. We made some delicious fish tacos and paired some frozen margaritas with them.

All the fixings ready to assemble

All the fixings ready to assemble

I made the sauce. mayo, sour cream, chipotle, hot sauce, cilantro, lime, oregano, salt and pepper

I made the sauce. mayo, sour cream, chipotle, hot sauce, cilantro, lime, oregano, salt and pepper

Dinner is served

Dinner is served

Cheers to full bellies and full hearts

Cheers to full bellies and full hearts

It’s going to be in the mid 90s today so Duncan and I will be staying indoors for most of the day.

Do you like the heat?

Do you like fish tacos?

Hi and Happy 4th of July!

The good old USA turns 240 today! But while running the other day I had a realization. I ran my very first race in 2006. (It was actually June 4th, 2006 so I’m a month late with the realization) That mean’s I’m celebrating 10 years (and 1 month) since pinning my first race bib. 🙂

first-race10 years: 7-marathons, 34-half marathons, 1-ten miler, 3-15ks, 15-10ks, 5-5 milers, 1-4.8 miler, 1-8k, and 4-5ks. And thousands of miles of training.

That realization made me smile.

My big plans for today are to try and get a short run in and then head to Road Runner Sports to try out the Asics Cumulus 18s which just came out. I currently have the 16s and before that I wore the 13s. I got an email that they are giving 20% off today for the holiday to VIP members. Woo Hoo!

I haven’t run since Friday morning.

When I set out for my run it looked like it might pour so i tied a plastic bag around my wrist in case i needed to protect my iPhone. :)

When I set out for my run it looked like it might pour so i tied a plastic bag around my wrist in case i needed to protect my iPhone. 🙂

I’m struggling with minor aches and pains and I don’t want them to get worse. So no long run this weekend. I’m going to limit all runs to 3 miles for a bit and have already introduced foam rolling, stretching and icing to my daily tasks.

This morning Mr. SOTSS’s girls wanted some kind of 4th of July themed breakfast so I tried to make a flag and some red-white and blue pancakes. Unfortunately the butter burned and left the stars on the flag unrecognizeable. A for effort though.

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It’s been really nice to have 4 days off in a row. I spent lots of time with these two:

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First time that I walked them together. And they were very good. Nobody pulled me down.

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The expressions on their faces. I die!

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Mr. SOTSS had to work Friday night through Saturday night so I kept an eye on Chester. Oh, and Duncan is all better!

I got some pretty flowers from Mr. SOTSS on Friday night….IMG_3999

And on Saturday night, even though he had only had 2 hours of sleep the night before, he rallied and we walked down the block to the lake to see a local fireworks display. We left the dogs home since Duncan really isn’t a fan of fireworks.

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Fireworks are just so much prettier in person. Photos never do them justice

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That’s all on my end. How was your weekend?