I'm a Runner...Wannabe

I haven't updated this blog much recently, so here's *BIG NEWS*: I'm training for a half-marathon in December!! Yes, that's 13.1 miles... MILES!

Now, I haven't decided whether I'm going to run and/or walk it yet. Ideally, I'd like to run the whole thing, but we'll have to see where I'm at by that point. My overall goal is just to FINISH, period! :-)

Last night was a training night. My friend and I went to the local high school to walk/run around the perimeter of the school. After the first lap (1.17 miles), I decided to start jogging because I felt good about it. I ended up jogging about 2/3 of the next lap around, and I felt GREAT!

This in itself is a significant milestone... I don't like running, my legs hurt when I do it, and worst of all, I can't breathe!! So, the fact that I: a). actually WANTED to run, b). DID run, c). CONTINUED to run, d). didn't feel out of breath, and e). ENJOYED moving my body along at that pace stunned me. I hope this is a new threshold for future progress because, as I've heard, running seemed quite enjoyable, and I hope to do it again soon!!

Antibacterial Soap... Good or Bad?

Click here for a great article on WebMD about antibacterial soap cleaners. I know there's not much of an advantage for using antibacterial products, but I was surprised to learn that those cleaners are damaging to the environment. What's your opinion about using antibacterial cleaners?

Right on, America

I've kind of been in and out of this year's American Idol season. I usually get into the auditions part, then watch the beginning of the top 12 (or 13 in this case)... then tune out until the selection dwindles to the top 4.

Season 8 was pretty interesting. I personally felt that there were no absolute stand-outs that would have a lot of staying power in the music industry (unlike prior contestants like Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry). Yes, yes, yes.... Mr. Adam Lambert has some talent (they all did), but I don't care for his style. I find it hard to think of how an album of his would turn out well without all the lights, glamour, costumes, and "guyliner" to add to his vocal performance. I think Adam would do AMAZINGLY well on Broadway, but I simply can't imagine an album of original songs (NOT rock covers) from Adam. I'm not hating on him (we come from the same hometown), I just don't care for his style.

Now, Mr. Kris Allen, I wasn't too sure of him at first. He kind of was an "under the radar" kind of contestant for me. As Simon mentioned, I thought America made a mistake when they voted off Danny Gokey, but in the end, I think Kris rose to the challenge and demonstrated that he does have some staying power. The "Gokey Factor" definitely had a hand in his claim to the crown, since I'm sure Danny's fans came out in force to vote for Kris.

I think it was a good win, albeit somewhat unexpected against a heavily favored contender. Best wishes to both Kris and Adam!

BareMinerals- LOVE IT!

I took the plunge. Jumped in with both feet...

My old makeup got swapped out for new MINERAL makeup. And oh, how I love thee!

In general, I'm a person that doesn't like too much stuff in or on my body (i.e., I only take medicine when I HAVE to). I suffered from terrible acne during my teens and early-mid twenties and finally got it cleared up with the help of modern medicine... not to mention the fact that I have sensitive skin anyway. As a result, I am extremely cautious about what I put on my skin, and I research products before I buy them. I was in the market for some new makeup, and I started my search for makeup for sensitive skin. I started seeing more and more information on mineral makeup, and I LOVE the fact that TRUE mineral makeup is not loaded up with crap.

CRAP...also known as chemicals and toxins... that's what is in most makeup, and the WORST part is that the crap can cause health problems. I could not justify continuing my use of regular makeup products.

I switched to BareMinerals by BareEscentuals. LOVE, love it!! I enjoy having a natural-looking face after applying makeup, so this brand is a good fit for me. I also love the amazingly huge variety of colors to play with!

AND THE BEST PART IS... I've had NO problems since I began wearing BareMinerals. My eyes used to itch and burn like crazy with my other eye makeup, even though it was supposedly for sensitive skin.

Mostly, I just feel good that I'm doing right by my body and protecting it from chemicals and toxins.

Go check out Bare Minerals here.

My Getaway, Part 1

Some of you may know that I am currently on a well-deserved getaway for a few days. This has been my first opportunity in months to bail out of town and do nothing but wonder what I should do for the day... sweet!

I'm currently blogging from a Panera Bread bakery location. There's a few reasons for this:

1. It's free (but I purchased an iced green tea).
2. I'm going through Internet withdrawal (the hotel charges too much to use their services).
3. I'm going through Facebook withdrawal (no explanation needed).
4. My first article was published online today (see prior post for more info)!
5. I don't trust myself enough to be out shopping alone! :-)
6. I used to work at a Panera Bread location in Las Vegas (memories).

Anyways, I thought I would share an entertaining story with you today... a potentially humiliating and humbling experience from my point of view...

So, my friend and I were walking down a street after lunch. I was wearing a pretty new summer dress, and it looked cute. It's a nice sunny day, and I was admiring the warmth of the sun and mild breeze blowing around us.

Then IT happened.

We walked by a breezeway, the wind swirled way too fast around us, and I felt my skirt go a little too high... I tried grabbing at it to pull it down, but to no avail. There was too much cloth and too much wind swirling to prevent the inevitable from happening...

My bottom was exposed to the world!

Well, to look at the sunny side of things (ha!), it wasn't the whole world that saw my rear. It was just the oncoming traffic. Not too bad, right? RIGHT??

At any rate, my friend proceeded to point and laugh (gotta love her), and I just kept on walking... with the skirt of my dress firmly gripped by my hands. There would be NO do-overs on that show!!

Does anyone else have any similarly embarassing tales??

I'm a Published Author

It's official! The Mermaids of the Lake e-zine is one year old today! I was so excited to be asked to write an article for their newest issue, and you can find it here. (Thanks, Mermaids, for a fun opportunity!) If you are hosting a bridal shower during the upcoming "wedding season," I hope you will find some inspiration with this "Beach Bliss" bridal shower theme, plus other easy DIY hostess tips! Also, you can find more entertaining tips on my other blog, Creative Entertaining.

If you go check it out now, you can sign up as a follower of that blog and have a chance to win the FIRST-EVER Creative Entertaining giveaway!! See details of the giveaway here in the original post.

"I Love" Box

I need to share with you an idea that I just LOVE. It's an "I Love" box!

Do you ever have those moments when you are simply enjoying something and think to yourself, "I love this"? Well, capture that moment on a little card that you tuck it away into your "I Love" box. Review your box from time to time and remind yourself of all those little things in life that bring you joy. I'm going to make one for myself!

Mermaid Shelley of Mermaids on the Lake wrote about the "I Love" box on the Mermaids blog. Visit the post here and be inspired!