A picture is worth a thousand stories....

Another week has flown by. The weekend in NYC was wonderful…we accomplished a lot in the short amount of time together…It was a blast to spend time with MB & her DH in the city. I have never seen MB more beautiful or happier (30 definitely looks better than 20 for both of us) It’s awesome to see God move in two people-they are a perfect match!

I wonder if this man delivers the Hen of the Woods mushrooms to The Tasting Room? I realized this weekend that the longer I am out of the restaurant biz the more unrefined my palette has become. The food was wonderful, but the service was lacking-we enjoyed ourselves regardless. Highlights include Beauty & the Beast and our $5 Diet Cokes, Pizza, Hot Dogs, $5 Buds in the park and the send-off liter of margaritas at Citrus.

Started running again this week , I am VERY anxious about running the marathon at this point. We had terrible storms last night that prevented me from getting in the solid 10 miles that I had hoped for. Running 14 tomorrow-I don’t think that it is going to pretty or feel good. It’s better to be set-back a bit now than not be able to run the marathon. I do love to run, but I need a little motivation now. Have my 20-miler next weekend, then the taper begins. My plan is to kick my own butt next week with diet and strict training. I have worked too hard to not run this race. At this time I feel like it’s 75% emotional and 25% physical. My emotions are all over the place…and I guess in line with many ‘virgin’ marathoners…

Celebration on the Hill

DC, McDreamy & NYC...

Whew…it’s been a whirlwind the last 10 days. My hip prevented me from running until last night. Feel good and pain free…enough to run 9 tonight?

I spent last Tuesday and Wednesday night in DC with my Dad for the Celebration on the Hill (www.celebrationonthehill.org) This is one of the largest lobbying events in the US…I just love the people that volunteer for the ACS! They have a passion for ridding the world of cancer, imposing cigarette tax and they have even aided in getting big-tobacco areas of the country smoke-free. Plus, these folks like to have a good time! I was really moved by the Wall of Hope that took up half of the national mall and the thousands of luminaries at the reflecting pool at the Mall.

Thursday was one of the best nights of TV I have seen in a long time. I have really been anxiously awaiting the season premier of Grey’s Anatomy---and it did not disappoint, not one bit! Favorite line of the week…after Derek got out of the possible biohazard at Seattle Grace Hospital he quickly went over to Meredith’s and pronounced his love for her, “ I had a choice to make, and I chose wrong…now you have a choice to make.” Not that I condone adultery one bit---but this is just some good television. Can’t wait for the rest of the season!

I could hardly sleep Friday night in anticipation of suprising my best friend in NYC for her 30th birthday…more details on that trip later today…have an outside meeting that I need to attend.

McDreamy Returns...

I have to echo MB's post about the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy tonight. I have been as giddy as a school girl all week looking forward to this show. I have not seen season one...so I think that in order to be a full card-carrying GA fan, I must rent the DVD's and watch them in chronological order.

Patrick Dempsey looks like the type of man that I would like to marry...I cannot believe that I am actually writing about a celebrity on my blog. With that being said I only have 5 hours and 46 minutes to see who Meredith chooses...

On another slightly more sobering note. When I washed my face last night I noticed that I am getting some 'fine lines and wrinkles' around my eyes and I am not very happy about it. I also found a couple more grey hairs last night...that in combination with my aching body makes me feel old. I had a good, long talk with a friend of my Dad's last night who was one of the original Chicago marathon runners---he told me to rest another day or so and then I would be fine. I also think that I found a sports massage therapist from runwashington.com. Nervous Nelly is making too many appearances these days.

Cory was in the hurt box Sunday morning...

Good Times in Sioux Falls...

My cousin Tom got married this past weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We had a blast...as you can see. In addition to my brother-in-law being one of the nicest guys on the planet he is also one hell of an amateur wedding photographer and excellent at 'maximizing the wedding reception' experience.

On a completely seperate topic; my hip is really causing me a lot of pain-and after even more pain last night I have decided to see a doc. This makes me very nervous and quite upset. I have been training so hard that I would be absolutely miserable if I could run the marathon. I did some research on WedMD yesterday, and I think it's a 'common running injury' but I don't want to take any chances. Lots and lots of stuff going on in the next 6 weeks...a little travel, lots of training miles, birthdays, a move, a half-marathon and 2 marathons. All of this on top of going into the busiest time of the year for work. I love it though. A year ago I was answering the phones...and staying in on the weekends. What a difference a year makes!

The next generation...

This is Jack and Anne Dotzler. Aren't they cute? Katie is the first of my high school friends to get married and have babies (with #3 on the way!) We called ourselves 'The Poons' (don't know why...) at Regis; and we thought we were pretty hot. At least our children may truly be 'hot' I am hoping to see these little ones when I am in Chi-town for the marathon. Anne looks just like her Mommy.

Been a busy week so far...but discovered that iTunes has audiobooks last night! Downloaded the abridged version of 'Naked' by David Sedaris, and I am waiting for a preferred reading list from MB since she is good and actually reads books. I was half-tempted to download James Earl Jones reading the Bible...but passed-it scared me. It's almost time to impose an allowance again.

I get to go the Sioux Falls, South Dakota for my cousin, Tom's wedding this weekend. I am going to take all of Friday off and run my 18 miles before jumping on a plane...I am going to try and avoid running in SD on Sat. AM with Cory & Matt.

Still praying about my living situation. I am leaning toward Waugh's and saving at this point, but it changes daily. I have been able to save, but not as much as I had originally intended...time to refocus with the goal of being able to buy something!

Even the inmates get to enjoy Labor Day

I really don't know why I have this strange fascination with the inmates that you can see from Noel's rooftop pool...but this is a little insight into their recess. Interesting dichotomy of sitting on the roof enjoying a big margarita and then looking at this...

This is a view of Baltimore's Super-Max Prison from Noel's pool...

The prisoners enjoying their 'recess'

I ran 15 miles this morning...

I have never run that far; and I did it solo. Pretty cool, it was a beautiful, cool morning after a few days of rain. I combined 3 familiar routes into a solid, 'rolling' 15 miles---finished in a little under 3 hours. That puts me about pace for a 4:45 marathon. I am very comfortable and happy with that. I am hoping to under-promise and over-deliver on race day. But, we'll see.

Just finished visiting some old haunts with Noel...we were supposed to go to the movies, but instead caught up over a couple of pints of beer and some chips with melted blue cheese...an old favorite that I had completely forgotten about...

Look forward to the Labor Day posting of photos of the Super Max prisoners from Noel's roof...