The purging of the dress..."Making Memories"

I found the most amazing organization online that is actually based out of Milwaukee, Oregon. Yes we have a Milwaukee:) The organization is called Making Memories. Anyways, they take bridal dresses by donation and then have bridal sales and all the proceeds go to breast cancer. It's called Brides against breast cancer. They do dress tours selling the dresses:)

I wanted my beautiful dress to go to good use for someone out there and what better way than this? They have an even have an upcoming sale here in Portland:) October 8-10:)

You can ship them the dress from anywhere in the country. It's a great cause and someone out there will get a beautiful dress at a fraction of the cost. Plus you get to write it off as a tax donation at the price of what you payed for it:) They even take veils too!

Another box checked off on my to do list:) And I don't have to feel bad about donating it because someone else will give it a good home:)

So if you have a dress from your previous life and you want to help out a very good cause:) They are your people. Ahhhh, another box checked off and it feels so good.

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I had so much exhausting fun. We were not running to win, just to finish. And that we did it!

I ended up having to change my leg to what I think is a much more difficult leg at the last minute, and people I'm talking 24 hours before the run started. No time to really mentally prepare, no time to really think about it at all. I just had to do it. So I ended up running legs 6, 18, and 30. Now what is ironic and just weird about it all is that a year ago I ran Hood to Coast with him, and actually he ran this exact leg.

Funny how things work out. I would never have thought I could run this leg. His leg. It was daunting last year as I watched him run it and I remember thinking, " I could never run this leg."

So it's interesting how the world works and puts you in a place and situation just to show you how strong your really are. How a year later with all the changes in my life, fate would put me in a predicament that only I would be the one able to run this leg. The one leg I did not want to run. The one leg I had dreaded even watching was now my enemy to conquer.

It was almost like God threw me onto a stage and told me to sing and I busted out with a Grammy award winning hit. And as I ran and ran it was like I every step was one further from my divorce and further from my old life. And closer to my new self, my happier life and a more confident running diva:)

And I must say.....huuhumm I ran it well! I did great and I felt great. And I am not even all that sore or tired:)

God does only give you as much as you can handle:) And you can always handle way more than you think.

By the way, there will be a hood to coast documentary in theaters January 11, 2011...watch for it!

More pictures to come:) And yes those people up on the left in are wearing mullet wigs....part of an eighties theme van:)

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My dog is on a diet

Look at her. I like to think she's just curvy:) But over the past couple of years every time I take her to the vet I seem to have the same discussion. The conversation goes something like:
"Oh my, she's up another 6lbs!"-me
"She needs to loose weight."-the nicest Veterinarian in the world

"I walk her, I watch what I feed her, but she always acts hungry."-me
"Give her apples, carrots, anything but what you are feeding her, she needs to loose some weight."- Veterinarian
"How much weight are we talking?"-innocent, me loving every single lb of her
"At least 6lb, but more like 15." -Veterinarian



"OH, MY!" "Okay, I will get tough and really put her on a diet. No more treats, more walks, and that very expensive dog food without fat or flavor."-me
"Sounds good, keep trying...maybe take her swimming."-Veterinarian


So now here I am. How do I have a fat dog? I do walk her, and I measure her food, but the weight just keeps increasing! So now my tough love will have to kick into action as I am going to help her become an even healthier version of herself:) Maybe I have been giving her a couple extra treats here and there.....but I promise that will stop now:)

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I survived August 25th, 2010

I thought it would be worse. I actually thought I would die and told several people those exact words " I am going to die!", but I didn't. I thought I would cry all day and not want to get out of bed, but I actually went to work. I thought I would not want to eat and would continue to physically wither away, but I actually did the opposite and carbed up for Hood to Coast with the annual work BBQ;)

Everyday gets easier. Everyday I realize how much better off I am. My girlfriend's husband tells me often and sweetly "he just did someone out there such a big favor." And I am beginning to realize that. I know he gave up something that someone else out there will appreciate much more.

I survived my ex-anniversary and I am here to tell all of you out there...it is just a day and it too shall pass. It's just a memory that in time will fade, and for now I am just happy I was able to reflect on it and not grieve it. One day at a time.

On an even happier note.....36 hours until Hood To Coast!

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Cathartic Sunday morning

A couple months ago my dear girlfriend and her hubs started taking me with them to their church. Now mind you I am not am not ultra religious and I don't attend every Sunday. However, I am very spiritual (how can I not be with my job) I just haven't ever really been in a routine about organized religion.

And every single time so far, I have had the same experience. I don't know if they pump tear gas in or oil the pews with onions but I just.....cry and cry. And once I start, I can't stop. Maybe it's because it feels good to be in a place that seems to accept you for everything you are and aren't. You don't have to hide anything, like your big bad D or your dark sleep deprived baggy eyes. They take it all, He takes it all. The good the bad and the ugly. It's like a faucet turns on and I don't even care how I look. I just cry. And I feel this weight lifting off my shoulders that had re-accumulated over the past 3 weeks. I had just covered it up, probably with makeup and a new jacket and now it was evaporating. I hadn't cried, much if at all lately so I guess it was long over due.

My one girlfriend always says crying makes her feel worse, she feels extra worn down by it. And I do feel and know what she is saying, but I also feel like when I hold it in it hurts worse.

Every time I cry I seem to feel better even if it's just a little bit. I feel a little further up this hill (it's not a mountain anymore) and a little more okay.

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Too busy to think too much

I really think people "think" too much sometimes. Mainly women, but men at times too. I am learning how to maneuver this new single life quickly although rather roughly. I really think I am just trying to have a good time, but maybe it's my personality that makes it seem like I have some ulterior motive. Honestly, I am too busy to be thinking anything too seriously at this point besides internal questions like "did I eat lunch?" or "did I feed the dogs?" Seriously, my brain feels like mush most days. So I just want to HAVE FUN! Why is that so hard to understand? Why is that so unbelievable?

Maybe women in general are so famished for "the relationship" that guys out there are in a real hurry to set standards out loud for you so low so that you don't get attached too them or expect too much. Mainly they don't want you to expect too much, or even expect the bare minimum, which is a total turn off to having any sort or relationship- laid back or serious with a guy.

I know my standards are high, as they should be. Or are they just respectable? Are there really women out there that put up with this behavior? Even if I don't want something serious, I do want to matter.

It's just too bad that the "over thinking" can "end" something before it even starts.....

Oh well, back into the dating pool I go. This time I will watch out for the sharks a little better :)

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Look good running

This place is my new favorite shopping ground!! I mean if I am spending money on running gear it's not really frivolous? Right? And it's not like I didn't NEED this stuff....I am running Hood to Coast this next weekend and a girls gotta look good right? Can you hear my buyer's remorse through this post?

Check out their website, which really does not their store justice.

I will say I ran a mean 7 miles in one of my newly purchased outfits today though! Worth every single penny:)

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