A Fashion Question

So I have this skirt that I FINALLY fit into again. But it's kind of a light cream/pale pale pale yellow. It's linen, and looks more like a neutral color, but with a hint of yellow. It's an H&M skirt which I LOVE just because I bought it in NY right after my mission, but also because it was what I was wearing when I saw my husband for the first time after my mission and the first time I kissed him. Oh, and he asked me to marry him when I was wearing it. So, it's basically a magic skirt. For both of us.

My question, is it too late in the year to wear it? It is definitely more of a spring/summer skirt. But it probably won't fit me next spring/summer. So can I still wear it now? I worked really hard to fit into it, but it only fit me too late in the summer season.

I leave the debate up you you, my friends. I have no fashion sense at all. As can be seen by the fact that I am currently wearing jeans I purchased at D.I. and a shade undershirt that I found in the back of my closet and is probably 5 or 6 years old. So, basically I'm dirty and nasty.

If you say I have to wait, I will. I mean, I've waited 4+ years now, what's one more, right?

What is the oldest piece of clothing you still wear on a regular basis? OR What is the one piece of clothing you keep or have kept in hopes that you will someday fit into?

I've learned my lesson this time. . . . I SWEAR

I do it every time. I say, "This time I'm sure it will be different. This time it won't be so bad. It was an accident, this isn't the norm. I just need to change how I approach the situation, and then everything will be better." But I've finally accepted the truth. And I'm not going back. That's right. I'm breaking up with you, Cafe Rio.

Every time I go there no matter what I eat, I always end up regretting it. I regret it as I'm eating it, and then for the next 12-48 hours. There is no food there that I can eat and the feel good about myself later. It's not the fattiness of the food, per se. It's just the essence, the flavor, the lingering nastiness. And I'm done with it.

So, if you ever suggest that we go to Cafe Rio for lunch or dinner, the answer will be "sure! I'll meet you there and I'll bring my own food to eat while you eat that sludge they call a meal"

I nearly vomited a little in my mouth just writing this post. And you should know that it's been 5 days since I had my last horrible experience there. But that's how long it stays with me. But I'm seriously staying away this time! I'm super SUPER SERIAL!

Can you smell the SPICE?

After the rain last Saturday, I went outside only to discover the air smelled like fall. Not just of chill and damp air, but SPICY. It smelled like cloves, cinnamon, allspice, ginger. I thought maybe someone in my apartment complex was just burning a pumpkin pie candle (or making zucchini bread or something like that) but the smell was found all around town as I ran errands that day. It made me really hungry for a pumpkin shake! Or a pumpkin doughnut!

Like I said before, I'm excited for fall this year. And even for winter, I guess. Something different. It's almost felt like it's been summer for too long. (I know! Who would've thought I could EVER think that?)

Today when I went running at 6am it was raining. It was so delicious and cool. It kept me at the perfect temperature and the run went really well despite the fact that I was soaking. I would give other people running in the rain the head-nod of understanding. "Either you love running in the rain as much as I do, or you are also training for some race" I would think. And then I would think to myself, "Hey girl, you should loose the windbreaker. You aren't doing yourself any favors. Just let the rain soak you. Enjoy it! And then go home and take a warm bath"

I know that's what I plan on doing right now.

Right after I experience some zills, that is.

Just a few things

I love my husband. On most nights he lets the baby climb in bed and snuggle next to him and lets me sleep. Sometimes he'll poke me and tell me to take her back and put her into bed, and I am happy to do it! It's nearly impossible to pick her up while she's sleeping on your bicep. I know, I've tried it. And he's so good to let his arm fall asleep for her comfort.

And every Friday night he makes sure that he takes care of her 100% so I can get up early and run. He's so good about that. I'm lucky I have a husband that doesn't mind our baby sleeping in bed with us for a few hours every night. And I'm just lucky that she's sleeping when she comes into bed with us! She used to try to play when she would get up at 1 am, which would result in a fight and then putting her back into bed over and over again (up to 3 hours of it) but now she just crawls in bed and falls back asleep within seconds. I do consider myself lucky. Especially because some nights I will wake up and say to Marcelo "Oh, she slept the whole night in her bed!" and he'll say, "uh, no." :) Now THAT'S a good husband.

On a negative note, I am SOOOO angry when people don't return their books to the library on time! I'm sure I've already ranted about this, but it's SO annoying to see the due date online (the 30th) but nothing. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THIS BOOK FOR MONTHS, PEOPLE!! TAKE IT BACK ON TIME!!! If you want to know, yes, I take back all my books on time. Furthermore, when it is an especially "coveted" book, I try to make sure it is returned within a week. And if it is a book on CD, I return it the SAME DAY. I think they should give certain people special "24 hour club" status. And they have to return certain books within 24 hours. And if they abide by the rules of the club, they get to keep their membership. I think I will suggest that in the library "suggestions box" the next time I go.

I'm running a half marathon in 2 weeks. I'm quite nervous about it, but I've been training and I should be ready for it. My sister in law, sister, brother in law, and maybe a few cousins will be there to support me and some will run it with me. Well, I don't think they will run "with me" but they will be running in it as well. It's in Kansas City, and it's expensive. Not the race so much, but the airplane tickets, the shoes, the socks, and the band aids for my bloody nipples all add up! (I'm kidding about the bloody nipples part. I think that only happens to men). I'm very lucky that my brother and his family are putting up with me for such a long time (To find the best price, so I had to stay a full week) but I'm going to make it up to them. I'm going to teach my nieces the patented "Judd Fall" which you know will make them the most popular kids in school. And I'll show my nephews the awesome dance moves I just learned on "IASIP"

So that's what's been going on in my life. I hoped I could put a post about how I reached my goal weight, but I cannot. My body HAAAAATES me. Seriously, I'm practically starving it to death and it refuses to drop .2 pounds. I'm not kidding you, I'm .2 pounds away from reaching my goal, and it just won't do it. I guess that tells me that I need to make a lower goal. So now I can say I don't have to lose just .2 pounds, but 25.2 pounds. So when you look at it like that, it's not so miserable that that last little bit won't come off.

















So let's hope that my long run today will have some effects on the scale in the upcoming days. Here's Hoping!

Welcome Fall

For some reason this year, I'm looking forward to fall. Maybe it's the change that is coming. Maybe it's because I have lots of plans for next year and I'm excited to get them going. Maybe it's because I'm looking forward to Christmas and spending it with our little family and our beautiful tree. (Seriously, our tree is freaking gorgeous. You should come over just to ooooh and awwww and then go home and look at your inferior tree and feel sorry for yourself. COME ANYTIME!) (har har)

I really don't know what it is, but I'm excited for fall. Leave, apples and pears, pumpkins, Halloween, snow, snow skiing (maybe I'll get Marcelo to try snowboarding this year) and then the new year! I'm just excited for the changes.

Maybe it's because I turn 30 this year. 30 seemed so far off when I was 12. I mean, 16 was conceivable. 20? A little bit harder, but still dream-able. I don't think I ever thought about what it would mean to be in my 30's!! And now that it is here, I can't say that I'm sad. I think it's great, and I'm happy with the way things are going.

For the most part. I still have lots of things I want to do. And I'm excited for those things to happen someday. Nothing ever stays the same.

Changes. Don't you love it? WELCOME FALL!!

Birthday WISHES

I have started making a list of things that Marcelo can get me for my birthday. That's always a difficult thing for me to do because I would rather be surprised, but I'm also really practical. I want to give and get something useful. Even if it's something silly and non-sentimental, I would rather have something that I want and need rather than something that is just "nice".

I'm sure I've talked about this before.

But I've started a list for him of things that he can get me. This is the list:

* Headlamp light for night time reading in bed. (We don't have room for side tables/lamps, and I don't like leaving the main light on while I read. It burns my eyes and makes them more tired)
* The New TiVo Premium
* The New Balance running shoes that I tried on a few days ago at the 26.2 store in Provo (My current shoes won't make it until mid Oct for the half marathon)
* A panini maker (I actually don't know if I *really* want this one. Because I fear that I would do nothing but make paninis all day. And that would NOT be good for my weight goals)
* Breakfast in bed. I do this for him ALL the time. I would like him to do it for me JUST ONCE. I think I should get this. But maybe I'll hold out for this one till Mothers day next year.
* A new pair of Pumas. I really need some "casual" shoes. And they have a pair of 12's! (I know, I have massive feet. It makes shoe shopping a nightmare and not at all fun.)
* One of those key chains with the rubber/cloth holder for my chapstick. I have about 3 tubes of chapstick at home, 2 in my purse, 1 in my church bag and 1 in my old diaper bag. But what if I don't bring one of those bags with me? What if I just have my keys with me? Like yesterday at the lake. Sun + Water + Wind + Cheetos (and other assorted salty chips) =VERY CHAPPED LIPS. And I was without chapstick. And I have been wanting one of those for a while now. Seriously, I *could* just pick one up at the check out counter the next time I'm at the grocery store, but then I couldn't complain about it on my blog anymore, right? Anyway, it's a silly thing that I have on my list. My husband will make me happy if he gets it for me for my birthday. I'm easy like that.

However, this is all moot. Because I already know what I'm getting for my birthday. I'm getting a new iPod!! See, my crappyNano 4G iPod that is 5+ years old has stopped being recognized by iTunes. I took it into the local Apple place, and they couldn't help me. So now I'm going crazy. Because I literally use my iPod every day. I run with it every day and when I'm home I listen to books on CD as I'm cleaning around the house or out with the dog and the baby at the park. So without an iPod I'm seriously stunted.

And what luck! They just announced the new Nanos! Which is what I was going to get anyway! And it's double the storage size of what I have now! But still the same price! AND IT HAS A CLIP FOR ATTACHING TO YOUR CLOTHES DURING EXERCISE. AND IT HAS A PEDOMETER!!! (I use a separate pedometer about 3 or 4 times a week to track my miles) My mind just kept blowing up as I was reading about it. And it comes out next week. I think they were thinking of me when they planned that release date.

So I may not get a surprise on my Birthday, but I don't seem to care right now.

Maybe I'll print off this list and re-title it "Alicia's CHRISTMAS wishes".

I'm sure he won't notice the change.

Out of it

We went to the Lake today. It was cold and windy. And one of the jet skis didn't work for a few hours, so I had to go all the way back to town to find some replacement parts for it. It eventually did work, and we had some good times. Some good, white cap filled times.

I think everyone always comes back from time at the beach/lake/large body of water entirely spent of energy and ganas to do anything else besides sleep. I'm currently fighting some ZZZZZ's myself right now. I just want to make sure that my baby goes down before I do. She's going to sleep like a rock tonight. I'm really REALLY looking forward to it.

But my point is, I don't think there is anything better than taking a shower right after coming back from the beach/lake/large body of water + sun. ESPECIALLY if you are a little toasty from that sun. You need to get washed and clean ASAP to make the eventual sunburn better. Trust me on this one. Wash yourself nearly instantly and it won't be as bad as if you wait for it to "set in". But seriously, is there anything better than that shower? AHHHHH, I'm remembering it now. It's a whole different kind of zills.

Next item. I think I am really out of it. I think that I am the only person in north America who didn't see Avatar the first time it was in theaters. Seriously, where was I? I don't know. I know Marcelo saw it. But when did he see it? Why wasn't I there? I have no answer for this. But I have decided that I am going to see it. Because I have no plans to buy a 3D TV, so I think that I should see it in the theaters before it leaves.

So who wants to go with me? Who wants to spend another $10-$12 dollars on a mind blowing visual masterpiece with a preachy C- story? Hands?

Ok, I didn't think so. I guess I'll just go by myself.

I'll be the loser with the Whoppers and Milk Duds front and center all alone on a Saturday night.

I really should get some Swedish Fish too. . . .hmmmm