Twenty Years

I know I've mentioned it before on my blog but my favorite band is Pearl Jam. Favorite as in...if I was stranded on a deserted island, I'd want to listen to nothing but Pearl Jam. Favorite as in...I have been in their fan club for about 16 years. Favorite as in...I will drop everything when I hear they are touring and will scout out the closest concert to my house. Favorite as in...I don't care that most people about my age "outgrew" the band towards the end of the 90s. I have held firm in my belief that they are the GREATEST BAND EVER.


To celebrate 20 years since the band formed, they released a documentary, PJ 20. It was released last night in select cities, for one night only. Thankfully C-bus made the list! The first show sold out so I was stuck with the 9:30 pm showing...waaaay past my bedtime, especially on a "school night." I had a horrible day and considered not going at all, especially since I would be going alone (so goes the life of a pilot wife ) but I didn't want to waste the money for the ticket by not going. I'm so glad that I went. For two hours, I sat in an old, local theater and got to travel back in time... Bear with me as I take a trip down memory lane. If you don't care about PJ or the last 20 years of my life, tune in another day when I go back to whining about marathon training. :)

I honestly can't say how I was introduced to Pearl Jam. My guess is that I somehow heard them from my older brother either riding in the car with him and heard it on the radio or he may have owned their first album, Ten. It really doesn't matter,I just know that sometime around 1993 (I was only 12), I started to realize that there was so much out in the world other than just what I could see around me. For whatever reason, I latched onto the sound of this band. I remember saving my allowance to buy Ten and their second album, Vs. at the same time. I remember having to convince my mom to let me buy to Vs. because it had a parental advisory on the cover. Thankfully, she did. It's not like I hadn't heard curse words before!

Sure, I suppose I fell under the spell of "grunge" in the 90s and I liked just about all of the music in the genre but something about Pearl Jam always brought me back to them. Even today, as my musical tastes vary wildly, Pearl Jam is always the band I come back to. It's almost like catching up with an old friend when I hear one of their songs.

I was in the 6th grade when I first heard Pearl Jam and it was perfect timing. I was starting to get picked on in school, which continued until about 9th grade when I finally started to find my place in the world (and I slowly learned to stand up for myself). Despite being picked on, I still had a great group of friends so I wasn't ever isolated, but Pearl Jam's music was something that I could relate to. I felt connected to the message in their lyrics and I felt like I wasn't the only kid out there having a tough time.

I joined the Pearl Jam fan club around 8th or 9th grade and was always looking out for the band to come to my town or at least nearby. I finally got my chance to see them in 1996. Unfortunately the show was over 2.5 hours away (Toledo) and I didn't even have a drivers license yet. Luckily I have the greatest parents in the world. My dad drove me and my best friend, Lauren, to the show and then he waited in the parking lot during the entire show and then drove us home. To this day, this act of generosity is brought up in my family and I am forever thankful! That show might as well have been a religious experience! I had been to concerts before (my first was David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails in an outdoor amphitheater) but this was in an arena, which brought a much different atmosphere and it was the most incredible thing I had experienced up until that point. The last song of the night was my all time favorite (and still is to this day), Indifference. That's just one of those moments that I'll never forget.

When PJ toured again in 1998, I was old enough to drive and my parents trusted us but it was a concert over 2 hours away (Cleveland) from home and we were only 17. Once again, my dad stepped up and offered to drive me and Lauren to the show. This time we got a hotel room and he hung out there while we went to the show. Iggy Pop opened, which was quite an experience, but again, Pearl Jam was unbelievable. I remember that they covered The Who's, Baba O'Riley that night. I had heard Pearl Jam cover the song during a live concert that I had recorded off the radio (hello, tape deck!) and I knew it was a cover, but I didn't know who did the original. I remember Lauren and I calling into the local rock radio station and trying to "sing" the lyrics to the DJ, who immediately identified it as The Who. (Hey, I wasn't around when The Who was in their hey day and keep in mind that this was before you could Google anything!)

I don't remember which album it was (either No Code or Yield) but a local record store did a midnight release party. I was still in high school and it was a school night so my parents wouldn't let me go. But my older brother came to my rescue. He was in college and went to the store, bought the CD and brought it home to me. I stayed up late listening and remember my dad practically dragging me out of bed for school the next morning. Again, could I have asked for a more wonderful family??

I saw the band twice in 2000. I used my fan club tickets to see them in Pittsburgh with a college friend (who was recently my matron of honor) and then again in Columbus (the first home town show!). I didn't request fan club tickets for the Columbus show because I had recently been selected for an internship at Disney (a whole other life-changer!) but I didn't know when I would be starting and didn't want to buy tickets and then not be able to go. The Columbus show was at an outdoor amphitheater and without the fan club tickets, I had to buy lawn tickets. It didn't matter, it was my Pearl Jam!

In 2003, I was living in Orlando and I got a phone call from my brother. He was at a baseball game in Chicago. "Amber, you're never going to guess who just threw out the first pitch. Eddie Vedder." I'm not sure why I was as excited as I was but I wished I could have been there. The excitement went through the roof when my brother called me back a little while later. "Amber, how much do you love me?" My heart about stopped. "I just got Eddie Vedder's autograph. He was heading to the bathroom or something so I just walked up and asked him to sign my ticket." As the little sister, I've been jealous of my big brother many times in our lives but never more than in that moment. I wanted to jump through the phone and be there. Obviously my brother gave me that baseball ticket or I probably would have disowned him.

In 2006, the closest they were coming to Columbus (and on a day I was available) was just outside of Detroit...on a "school night." I was obviously a "grown up" by then and had a full time job. I couldn't talk anyone else into taking a day off work to go with me but I bought the two fan club tickets anyways and took a day off work. One of my brother's friends, Seth, was living in the area and was also a fan but he already had tickets to the show. We agreed to meet up for dinner and then go to the show together. Being in the fan club, I had 3rd row seats (seats are awarded to the fan club based on seniority) so we opted to sit in the seats I had. :) For some reason I don't really remember any specific songs about that night other than what happened before the show started. We were sitting in the 3rd row, just waiting for the opening act to go on (My Morning Jacket). Seth wanted to get up to walk around and get a drink. Always expecting the unexpected, I told him I wanted to stay at the seats but he should go ahead. I'm not kidding, just then, Eddie Vedder walked onto the stage and played an acoustic song. I don't remember the song but I'll never forget standing there, just a couple feet from him and surrounded by just a handful of other people. Every once in awhile when I see Seth, he brings up that moment and he is so glad that he didn't get up to get a drink!

The most recent show was May 2010, here in Columbus. The Pilot and I had only been dating a couple months at that point but he was in town that night and agreed to go with me. We went down to the arena to pick up the fan club tickets. The closest I had been so far was the 3rd row and I was really hoping for 1st row some day. I got the tickets from the box office and immediately found the seating diagram. Fifth row! Boo. The Pilot told me he didn't want to go to the show anymore because I had his hopes up for "better" seats. Ahhhh, sarcasm. I later found out that the first two rows are almost always reserved for contest winners. Hmmmm....I might have to start calling into radio stations or something!

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I watched the trailer for the documentary and even more so when I realized there was going to be a local showing. That movie felt like a time capsule of my life so far. It brought back so many memories (good, bad, painful, happy, sad, all of the above).

Pearl Jam continues to provide the soundtrack to my life and most recently, at my wedding to The Pilot. Their song, Just Breathe, was played during our wedding reception. The song has one of my favorite lyrics of all time, "Oh I'm a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love. Some folks just have one and others they got none." Well said! I completely feel that way.



Thank you for the last 20 years, Pearl Jam. I look forward to what the future brings!

Multiple Personality Playlist

I've been whining about my playlists this entire training season.  As in I basically listen to the same playlist each week because I don't have much new music and it seems like the thousands of songs I already own aren't suitable for running or race walking.  Here is a random sample of what I've been listening during my long workouts (whenever I'm not with someone):

U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name (This was a new addition last weekend after I heard it during a movie and remembered I love the song and it has a steady rhythm which is great for running (once you get past the first few seconds.)
Pearl Jam - Given to Fly (While this isn't my favorite PJ song, this is in my top 10 for sure)
Calvin Harris - Let's Go (Thank you Fitnessista for this suggestion!)
David Guetta & Usher - Without You (I've had a soft spot for Usher ever since I was 16)
Nero - Promises (Thank you random fitness web site for the suggestion)
Ellie Goulding - Lights (Catchy)
30 Seconds to Mars-The Kill (Somewhere inside is still an angst-y teenage girl with a crush on Jordan Catalano.  Who's with me?!)
Matt & Kim- Don't Slow Down (Even if I'm scheduled for a walk break, I must.keep.running. Plus, these two are AMAZING!)
Usher - OMG (Oh that Usher....)
Lady Antebellum - I Run to You (I'm RUNNING!!)
Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing (This seems to always come on smack in the middle of my mileage-no matter the distance.  And I smile like a fool because it reminds me of me and The Pilot's wedding day.  He really is the best thing.)
Mumford & Sons - Babel  (Love them!)
Guster - Fall In Two  (I went to a liberal arts college. I have some hippie tendencies.)
Alicia Keys - Doesn't Mean Anything (You go girl!)
Muse - Starlight (Reminds me of when The Pilot and I were dating.  That is all.)

So if you can't tell, I am a white girl with a slight ghetto streak, with a bit of folk hippie thrown in the mix.  But sometimes a girl's gotta rock out.  And ultimately it comes down to the fact that Pearl Jam is the greatest band on earth and whatever keeps me moving forward has a pretty good chance of ending up on my eclectic playlist.

Sweating, Rocking Out and a Photo Dump

I finally dragged my lame, pregnant self to the basement!  I laced up my shoes last night after dinner and hit the treadmill.  I told myself that as long as I wasn't experiencing any "baby discomfort" I was going to stay on that machine for at least 30 minutes.  It's hard to believe that just over a month ago I did a 1/2 marathon and now I'm forcing myself to stay on the treadmill for a measly 30 minutes.  Sigh.  I think I'm mourning the loss of what my body was capable of at the end of 2012 but that's a whole different post.

To motivate myself to stay on the evil treadmill, I put in the DVD, Pearl Jam 20.  I blogged about seeing the documentary on the big screen a million years ago but finally "splurged" and bought a copy of the DVD for future viewing pleasure.  I'm so glad I did.  I popped it in, cranked the volume so I could hear it over the ancient treadmill and got my sweat on.  The Pilot wasn't home so I could sing along as loud as I wanted also.  Score.

So I rocked out to my PJ while trying to maintain a somewhat decent walk pace (15:30).  I didn't do too bad but the ache in my hips/lower back was constant.  I did a half mile warm up before testing the waters.  I haven't run a step since the 1/2 marathon last month.  I slowly increased the pace on the treadmill until I was shuffling along at 13:00.  And I proceeded to hang out for exactly....a quarter mile.  Sigh.  I could sense my heart rate was well on it's way to "baby discomfort" so I backed off and went back to a walk.  And was frustrated that it took nearly another quarter mile to feel comfortable again.  Sigh.  I did another quarter mile run with the same results.  I'm taking extra care to listen to every sign my body gives me right now.  Obviously as  a marathoner, I've conditioned my body to keep going through discomfort.  And that's just not an option anymore now that I'm growing a human.  While obviously I am ok with that, there is still a "mourning" process that I think I'm in the middle of right now.

On a complete tangent though, while rocking out to my PJ, I was reminded of one of my favorite PJ memories.  I was probably 14 or 15 and had heard a PJ concert on the radio.  They sang a song that I knew was a cover, I just didn't know who the original artist was.  It bugged me.  It bugged my BFF, Lauren (and fellow PJ junkie) also.  So one night we called the local rock radio station and sang the song to the DJ to ask if he knew who sang the song originally.  The song?  The Who's Baba O'Riley.  Before anyone gets up in arms that I didn't know that is was a Who song....it was somewhere around 1995 or 1996, and I didn't grow up with exposure to The Who.  I knew of them, but I wouldn't have recognized any of their songs (at the time).  Thinking back, I'm still a little surprised we actually tried to sing to a radio DJ over the phone.  :)

And on another tangent (because that's how the pregnant brain works)...here are some cell pictures for your viewing pleasure.

We've been wondering why the nursery is so cold.  And then we discovered why.  There is a rather large cat laying ON the register.  He's annoyed that we moved his cat bed to another room and now there are random crib parts laying around.

Meanwhile, I've been practicing "baby-wearing" with the other cat.  She loves to cuddle so I figured she would like the baby sling I got.  She loved it.  Hopefully cat lady = good baby mama. And hopefully old school cell phone doesn't = uncool baby mama.

I don't recall if I mentioned it by I had the sinus infection from hell last month.  While I could take antibiotics, I had to suffer through the symptoms for 2 weeks because I can't take any of the "good stuff" right now.  Anyways, on one of my 2 trips to the doctor, I found my pregnant self having to pee while I waited for the doctor.  This was in the restroom...

Looks like the lab tech has a sense of humor.

The cats were loving my first trimester fatigue AND the sinus infection.  That meant lots of cuddle time on the couch.  I think they were the only ones that were comfortable.

Speaking of comfortable...

When the cat is comfortable, you don't dare move her do you?  Not if you are The Pilot.   Figment was in his office chair when he wanted to do some internet-ing....but he didn't want to disturb her.  He's nicer than me.  I would have booted her off. 

21 Lessons for Our Son

As little man's arrival sneaks up on us, I find myself thinking more and more about all the things I want to pass along to him.  Some are serious.  Some are a little tongue in cheek.  All are true though!

1. Put the seat down after you use the restroom.  Better yet, just sit down to pee.  If something does go awry in there, just clean up after yourself.
2. Stay away from girls for as long as possible.  They can be evil and mean.
3. When you do fall under the spell of a girl (because you will...unless you fall under the spell of a boy and that's ok too.  The same rule applies.), treat her with even more respect than you would treat a little old lady...also known as your mother.  If that girl doesn't return that respect, she's not the one for you.
4. Never do anything you would be embarrassed to explain to emergency medical personnel...or a grandparent.  Same goes for posting on the internet.  The internet is forever and "delete" never really means erased from history.  And just because it isn't necessarily embarrassing to you now doesn't mean it won't be embarrassing when you are an adult and trying to get a job or run for political office.
5. Never do anything after one of your buddies says something to the effect of "hey, try this" or "this will be fun."  See # 4.
6. If you take up a sport/activity that has a helmet specifically designed for said sport/activity, wear it.  If I catch you on a bike specifically without a helmet, you will have more to worry about than a head injury. Same goes for seat belts.  Just wear it, you fool!
7. Don't pick your nose in a car.  Or anywhere else for that matter.  I've seen way too many grown @$$ men picking their noses in their cars while at a traffic light.  Everyone can see you.  Use a tissue.
8. Don't hold your fork like a cave man.  I have never seen a woman do this, just men.  And when you are a grown up doing this, it makes you look like a man-child. 
9. While I won't force you to attend church often or to make your bed every day, I will wash your mouth out with soap if you ever bad mouth the great works of Pearl Jam.
10. Don't quit.  Even if you can in good conscious tell yourself (and your parents) that you gave it all you had...try again.  This includes relationships, sports, school work, real work.  The only thing this doesn't apply to is puzzles.  You have my permission to give up on puzzles.   Those are just maddening.
11. Always be kind to animals.  They are more loyal and honest than people some days.  
12. Having said that though, don't be afraid to trust people.  Then, if they break that trust, you can fall back on those animals you were kind to.
13. Don't be a bully.  You never know what someone's circumstances are.  Plus, karma is a bit--!
14. Don't be afraid to show emotion.  Smile and laugh with abandon.  Cry when needed.  One caveat: it's ok to get angry, but keep that in check.  No one likes a hot head so learn to control that and blow off some steam in a constructive manner.
15. Learn to dance.  You don't have to do it well but learn to lead a woman around a dance floor.  And don't ever be too self-conscious to do the Cha-Cha-Slide at a wedding.  Don't worry, your mama can teach you this one.  Sure, people might watch and laugh, but they are just jealous that they aren't as confident and care-free as you.
16. Treat your body well, you only get one.  Try to eat right.  Exercise.  Try not to jump off anything that would cause you to break a limb or poke your eye out.  Your dad and I will certainly be dragging you around the race scene at at early age so hopefully you will naturally fall into an active lifestyle.  If you take up organized, team sports though, I can't help.  I will try to find you a coach though if that's what you want.
17. Don't smoke or do drugs.  If I catch you doing either, I will make your life even more miserable than any side effects you would get from those substances.
18. Get an education.  Ultimately, I don't care what kind of education but learn a skill you are passionate about and can support yourself doing.
19. In the words of Steve Prefontaine, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."  That says it better than I can!
20. In the words of Walt Disney, "When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably."  Basically, stick up for what you believe in, even if it might not be the most popular thing or is difficult to do. 
21. Don't eat yellow snow.  Actually, don't eat anything if you cannot confirm it's origins.

Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Like I mentioned in my "10 facts," I love Pearl Jam. I am not embarrassed to admit that. I love them so much that I have been in the fan club for over 16 years. The fan club gives members first dibs at concert tickets and the longer you are in the club, the more seniority and the better the tickets are (the main reason for being in the club so long!). Third row is the closest I've ever been and my hopes for the first row were dashed when I found out that the first 3 rows are typically set aside for radio contests.

Unfortunately most of my concert pictures were taken before digital cameras came around and though The Pilot and I went to a PJ show last spring, they didn't allow cameras into the arena. Boo!

Here are some pictures from a show in 2000. My close friend Lauren (and fellow PJ junkie!) and I went and were in the 4th row that year.

A Required Workout

I wasn't feeling it tonight.  I was tired, cranky and just wanted to be a vegetable.  But something just didn't feel right about that.  Not after the events in Boston yesterday.  As much as I wanted to deny it, I needed to get some kind of workout in. 

What I wanted most was to get outside and pound the pavement to let out some anger and frustration but it was storming.  Boo.  To the basement I went though.  I put on some Pearl Jam (the go-to when my head is all mixed up) and got on the treadmill.  I didn't have the energy to go very long but I stayed on just long enough to get my heart rate up and to break a sweat.  And just long enough to get some endorphins going which always seems to help clear my head (along with a side of PJ of course).

Baby bumpin' along

I'm having a really hard time processing the news of what happened at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  I'm feeling very much like I did on September 11 despite the loss of life and injuries being significantly higher with that event obviously.  Unlike September 11 though, I could put myself there in Boston.  I knew multiple people who were racing yesterday (all accounted for and safe).  I knew people who were in town to watch the race.  How many races have I done?  I've lost count.   How many races have I done with a larger race field than Boston?  I've lost count but it is in the double digits.  How many times have I been hanging around the finish line waiting for my athletes and friends?  Again, I've lost count.   I'm planning to stand at the finish line of a dear friend's 100th marathon next month. 

See what I mean when I say I can put myself there?  I'm having trouble processing that.  Just like with September 11 though, we can't stop living life just because something scary happened.  I didn't stop flying after September 11.  Obviously I kept living.  I married a pilot who spends 3-4 days a week flying.  I can't very well stop lingering around finish lines.  I'm not going to stop racing.  That doesn't mean its not hard to process and scary to think about.

My challenge tonight was that my head was swimming and I needed a workout but my body and baby were telling me something else.  I was just so tired.  I stuck it out for 15 minutes on the treadmill and then did 15 minutes of prenatal yoga.  It helped clear my head a bit.  Not as much as a good hour long run would have but for now, I'm thankful that I'm still able to workout.  My body is still cooperating for the most part.

I've even more thankful that I wasn't at that finish line yesterday.  Thankful that my friends are safe.  Thankful that while we live in a crazy world with crazy people, there is much more good in than evil.

Embracing the Climb Part II

I continued with my "embrace the climb" mission yesterday. My tri team had a group "ride" scheduled but we had to bring our own bikes and trainers (still too cold here for the average Joe to ride outside. Only the bad a$$es are riding outside right now). Queue excuses.....we are trying to sell our condo. We had an open house yesterday afternoon and the place needed a lot of work. We are also hiding all of our clutter in miscellaneous places (the car, the shed, my parents house, my in-laws house, etc). The bike and the trainer just aren't all that easily accessible at the moment. End excuses.

I did have the opportunity to participate in one of our other TNT coach's (Tim) spinning classes. It's at a gym with spinning bikes so all I needed to do was locate my cycle shoes and a sweat towel. Easy enough. I was in....and let the coach know I was interested. I then found out it was a 90 minute class. Lord help me. I haven't been on a bike of any kind since probably October. I was in for a treat.

I'm still smiling because we must not have started climbing yet...I was also sweating a lot which must have been why no one wanted a bike near me.

Not really knowing what to expect, I just went with it. We were spinning fast but easy. Tim gave us a heads up that a climb was coming. We heard the first few bars of the amazing "Baba O'Riley" from The Who....and where told to add resistance and get up out of the seat.


"Tim, please don't make me hate The Who because of this climb."

Tim then reminded us of one or our team heroes who's cancer recently returned and he's undergoing chemo again. I'm not going through chemo. The least I can do I muscle my way up that climb....all 5 minutes and 7 seconds of it.

We spun easy but fast again for a little while when it was time for Tim to pull out the big guns.

Knowing I am a huge Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder fan, Tim was sure to point this out....and then told us to add resistance and get up out of the seat again.

"Tim, I can't sing and climb at the same time."

5 minutes later, I wanted to fall off the bike into a puddle of my own sweat. But I didn't. I'm too stubborn. And so I kept spinning.

We got a "rest" and time to let our heart rates come back from jacked up to slightly elevated.

We got a warning that we had another climb coming. What?? Did I really have another one in me? Embrace the climb, Amber, stop whining!

Tim then shared that when one of our other team heroes was undergoing treatment, he literally had to learn to walk again. And that's all I needed to get up out of the seat for another climb.


I was starting to feel really hungry by this point. Lunch time was approaching and I had been spinning for nearly and hour and a half. Remember, I haven't been on a bike in months. Let's just say that my derriere isn't used to sitting in the saddle. Towards the end of the class, I was more than ready to get up out of the seat. I would have preferred to get off the bike completely but that wasn't in the cards just yet.

Tim then pulled out a blast from the past. In a matter of seconds, I was transported back to high school.


It was a fun way to end the class....though another 4+ minutes of climbing was killing my hip flexors. We did spun out for a little while to bring the heart rate back down and then it was time to stumble off the bike. Even though it was crazy hard, I was dripping in sweat and it felt great.

It's now been more than 24 hours since the class and I have all kinds of reminders of my 90 minute spin (with 20 minutes of climbing). My shoulders HURT (I tend to raise my shoulders and tighten my grip on the bike when I start to get tired). My butt HURTS. My legs feel OK....until I have to walk up stairs and then I curse Tim the entire way.

It's a wonderful thing, embracing the climb.

Chaos...my life in cell phone photos

There is no reprieve in my crazy schedule for the next couple weeks.  I have an event starting soon at work, followed by the 1/2 marathon (and my PR attempt!) followed by some bridesmaid duties (one of my BFFs is getting hitched!) and then maybe, just maybe I can take a deep breath.

Here's just a glimpse at what I've been up to lately...

Finally cleaned up the basement and unpacked some of the last lingering boxes.  I obviously had two feline helpers.  Because they are soooo helpful.

Went to Salt Lake City for a work event...

 

 Those Mormon's sure grow some crazy beautiful impatiens! 

 Mountains!

Saw this while finishing up an 8 mile walk.  :)

 Also saw this at the end of an 8 mile walk.  It looks fake but it was real.  We were both startled.

 Ate a boat full of veggie sushi.

Rewarded a 9 mile walk with a banana and some chocolate milk.

Woke up to this note from The Pilot one morning...someone?  I'm assuming it was a rotten cat.

Drew some inspiration from a co-workers to make dinner for The Pilot one night....taco salads with soy crumbles.

Had an annual lunch and a back-to-school shopping extravaganza with my beautiful niece.  Holy third grade!  Where did time go??  *tear*

Co-hosted a bridal shower with my girlfriends for one of my BFFs....she's a fan of Steel Magnolias...

  

Made a quick trip to Cleveland for work...with a stop at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.  Pearl Jam if the greatest band EVER.  Don't try to argue.

Walked into an office at my work's headquarters only to be seriously disturbed.  I try not to ask questions..

I've spent my week surrounded by patriotic event supplies and I've felt like my office walls are closing in on me.

I took some "I Do" letters leftover from my wedding and painted them in my BFF's wedding color...I swear it's a dark plum and not brown.

The Pilot followed me on his bike while I did a 10-mile walk.

 

  I walked past a pile of rotting apples that had fallen from a tree and the smell always reminds me of my childhood....we had apple trees in our yard and would have to pick them up before my dad would cut the grass.  Not necessarily a fond memory... :)

A 30-Day Challenge

So it occurred to me recently that my life has changed so much over the past year (Hello! Meeting The Pilot and saying yes to his proposal!). It has changed more than I ever could have imagined to be honest! But I realized that this blog...and my life has revolved around training for a long time. And with the changes that have happened, I decided that this blog really is about my life...all of it. While it still revolves around training, there are a lot of other aspects to it. I couldn't train if it wasn't for the support of my family and friends. I probably wouldn't train so hard if it wasn't for Team in Training and my TNT family. I wouldn't be so obnoxiously happy if it wasn't for The Pilot. I decided to shift the concept of my blog to really give a glimpse into what makes up all of my world.

This 30-day challenge has been making the rounds around the blog world but I "borrowed" the idea from Brittney over at Life in a Holding Pattern. (I'm about to be a "pilot's wife," which is not an easy lifestyle so I've already found lots of support in bloggy land!)

This is the challenge: I'll be posting (or trying to at least) pictures each day with a story about each picture. Here's how it will go:

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Today is Day 1 and here is my picture and some random facts.

1. This picture was taken in the fall of 2009 (old, I know). My brother, his wife and I had pictures taken with us and their kids to give to my parents for Christmas. I don't know that we will ever be able to top that gift because I think both my mom and dad got a little teary eyed.
   
2. I hate lima beans. So does my grandpa which I find humorous because he will eat just about anything else.
   
3. I am NOT the slowest marathoner ever. These guys are.
4. Even though it's completely irrational, I am terrified of fish. They give me the heebie jeebies.
5. Kids terrify me also. They are unpredictable, sticky and smelly (kind of like fish when I think about it...). But, I love my niece and nephew to pieces, literally. If either of them needed one of my limbs, I would give it to them.
6. I don't care that it's not 1992 anymore. I still believe that Pearl Jam is the greatest band EVER.
7. I feel guilty about making my best friends in the whole world wear fuchsia bridesmaid dresses. I can't help that I love the color though and realize that this may have been a bridezilla move. :)
8. The only time I drink milk is when I'm dunking cookies or eating cereal.
9. I cannot function without a paper calendar (old school!), check lists or sticky notes. I know this makes me sound compulsive but if you've ever traveled with me, you'll know I don't forget anything!
   
10. I am head over heels in love with my best friend. At first glance we don't have much in common but it works. And in July, I will get to marry my best friend and I cannot wait to become his wife!
    

Week 29

 Week 29

How far along? 29 weeks
Maternity clothes?  Shoot...yes.  And I feel like I'm pushing a few of those pieces to their limit.  Some things are getting a little snug. 
Have you started to show?  I might stop answering this one each week because it's obvious.  I've had a few people tell me I look small.  And then a few have said I look big and they don't think I'll even make it to August before baby boy makes his debut.  We shall see!
Symptoms:  Hip pain that will not ease up.  That's probably the most annoying.  I'm also having Braxton-Hicks contractions which aren't painful but aren't comfortable either.  I keep reminding myself that they are just my body "practicing" for what's to come.  I also think baby boy is stretching out and/or getting a little big for his current surroundings.  I've noticed A LOT of tightness across the top of my belly.  I think he might be sitting high and sideways.  Which may also be the reason I get winded really easily. 
Activity:  I got in the 3-mile walk over the weekend.  I've also been doing yoga stretches before I go to bed with hopes that it will ease this hip pain. 
Best moment this week:  Baby shower!  Putting the finishing touches on the nursery...pictures soon!
Miss anything?  I never in a million years thought I'd say this but I do miss running.  I've run a few steps here and there but for the most part, it's uncomfortable.  Not really because of anything painful but more because I can't run more than a couple steps without having to pee!  I'm glad I'm still able to enjoy some walking, though I had hoped to be getting in longer workouts still at this point.  That's ok though.  Some is better than none!
Movement: I think this past Monday was his most active day to date.  He was kicking and rolling for what felt like all day.  Now he seems to be back to just rolling and punching me around meal times and when I lay down at night.  I still can't get over it!  I saw and felt him move the other night...and then there was a little bump in my belly.  I think it was either his back, head or maybe backside.  It was definitely a baby part sticking out!
Food cravings:  My in-laws were in town over the weekend and my father-in-law brought some strawberries from his garden.  

It took me longer to clean and slice them than it did to eat them...all of them.  I really hope The Pilot didn't want any.  If he did, it's his fault for leaving on a 4-day trip while these were still in the fridge. :) My nectarine and popsicle consumption increased 2-fold this week also.
Gender:  Everyone has told me that boys are much more active than girls.  They are always jumping, climbing, skipping, rolling, etc.  And I think this baby boy has already mastered all of those activities.  At least that's what it FEELS like. 
Looking forward to:  More baby showers to see my great friends and family!    And while it is a challenge to schedule all these doctor appointments around work, I start my every other week OB appointments next week.  That's a sure sign that things are moving right along!  It's not that I really enjoy the doctor's office (or waiting!), but hearing his heartbeat and getting some extra reassurance from the doctor that everything is going ok always makes me feel good!

And this one might seem a little strange (and premature) but I just got an email from the local library system about their summer reading program for kids.  I remember participating when I was a kid and I loved it!  I've always loved to read and hope that my offspring enjoys it also.  And so I just had a flash forward moment of taking him to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.  I'm a nerd. 
Not looking forward to: Growing more uncomfortable!  But I know it won't be much longer until he's here so it's all temporary!
Milestones:  I had my first baby shower over the weekend!  It was so much fun!  Best parts?  My grandma was there for a little bit.  Her health has been declining so to have her there meant the world to me!  Also, 3 of my bestest friends were there as well.  Two of whom live out of town.  And even though my other bestie that couldn't make it (something about living 6 hours away and having a 2 year old and 2 month old...), she shipped a gift to my parents' house.  Part of the gift was this gem.  Pearl Jam songs turned into lullabies?  GENIUS!

The Pilot also experienced a parenting rite of passage over the weekend...putting together a stroller. 

I'm sure this will embarrass him to no end but I think he looks pretty hot behind that stroller.  Looks like a natural to me! :)