Busty, bloated, bitchy... and AMAZING.

Yesterday was a great day. Emphasis on the day.

Miss had her first day of preschool...

Ready to go, mom!

She loved. I knew she would. She didn't want to leave when it was time to head home. She is only going 2 mornings a week but wants more!

I ran errands the whole 3.5 hours she was there and had a blast going to the bathroom by myself at Target, talking to the dudes at the Apple Store and the Verizon place about phones and phone plans by myself, and thoughtfully checking out water bottles and hydration belts at REI by myself.

Then once all the big kids were also home, I taught them and the other neighborhood kids how to play Kick-the-Can. Some of the neighbors were visibly annoyed by this. rolling my eyes at them. Anyway... it was fun until some rule 'misunderstandings' happened and the screaming and headbutting commenced – both directed at ME. So I took my can and went home.

This was the turning point...

As the evening wore on, I became increasingly agitated by everything. When all the kids were finally in bed, it was time to run... I so totally did NOT want to go. I almost had a temper tantrum about it.

I got ready. I was so uncomfortable. I felt packed into my running bras. My gut was distended like I was 6 months pregnant. Everything was itchy and too tight, and I was trying out new shorts... too short :(

It was like Dolly Parton meets Violet Beauregard crammed into a pair of hot pants. Just UGH. No way did I want to go run. No. Way. And I was getting annoyed by the planned workout, too... 20/30/10 tempo. Just UGH again.

Oh. Right.

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How did I get out the door? Did I get out the door?  Yes. I did. Three steps:

1. I gave myself permission to feel gross and cranky.
2. I told myself that it was dark and no one could see how bloated I was or how far up my butt my shorts were crawling.
3. I reminded myself OUT LOUD that I always feel better after doing something physical – which is the truth. Always.

I adjusted the workout... better to do something than nothing :)  And I it became a progressive 6.6-mile run instead of a tempo workout. I started at 10:10 pace for my first 0.75-mile lap and got faster with each of the 8+ laps until the last one was 8:49. I did notice, however, that I sag right after 3... I have been noticing this, in fact. When I saw it this time, I saw it right away and was able to pull it up... so that is improvement.  Total time was 1:01:41 for 6.6 miles.  I felt good about this given my PMS state of mind and remembering my post-Apocalyptic run on Sunday. Tuesday ended on an 'up' beat :)

Then today I found out I was given that coveted

by Miss Teacher from Juice Boxes and Crayolas.

So here goes:
My favorite cartoon character...

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Incidentally, I wrote a college application essay (for MIT) about Pepe... I got in but went elsewhere.

my favorite thing to photograph

My kids!!!!

my favorite thing to cook

cheesecake

my favorite forms of exercise

my favorite movie
too hard to pick... agreeing with my tagger that Shawshank is one of the top :)

my favorite article of clothing


the jeans that look good on my butt

my favorite flower

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my favorite breakfast

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my favorite book I have read recently

my favorite place to be...... IN BED!!!! but not sick :P
or Villefranche-sur-mer, Eze, St. Jean Cap Ferrat... near Nice....


Instead of tagging people... I'll put it out to ALL of you because you're all amazing! What are some of your favorite things? Tell!