Life

By kilax, April 21, 2017 3:20 pm

On my train ride home this week, I was surprised to see my ticket wasn’t out when the conductor came around calling for them. I always put my ticket out after I sit down! Where did it go?

I checked in my purse and I had a brand new ticket. The ticket I used that morning had punches on it. So I must have put it out. Did someone take it? Did it fall?

I tried not to get worked up about it and just used my other ticket. And made a note to myself to keep track of my ticket in the future!

Fast forward to today when I get a random call from a local number. Of course I didn’t answer (does anyone?) and they left a message – they found my ticket on their seat and wanted to mail it to me! How kind! I will definitely have to send her a thank you note.

And remember to write my name and number on all future tickets – I am happy I had on this one!

(A picture of my ticket would be boring, so enjoy this picture of the children playing. Any guesses as to who started the fight?)

House, Life

By kilax, April 20, 2017 7:23 am

• Ha, my snister is so much smarter than me. She pointed out that the title Fate of the Furious, sounds like “eight,” and it’s the eighth movie in the The Fast & the Furious series. They so clever. Also, duh-town, Kim.

• I LOVED the movie! I was entertained the whole time and sad when it was over! I might go see it again in the theater.
• It’s been almost ten years since I graduated from college (in May 2007). My classmates are having a ten-year reunion in October. I may actually try to go!
• I am itching to write a post about all the work Steven put in to the outdoor cat house. We just need to get a few more photos of it (which involves moving it a bit on a day when the sun is right for taking photos).

• Ugh. Someone rear-ended me when I was sitting in traffic on Saturday (I’m fine, they just bumped me) and I have to take the car to get a quote on the bumper repairs today. Totally not in the mood to adult this week! At. All.
• When I went outside on Tuesday, I noticed our log pile looked a little different. Last time we saw that tree in the middle, it was standing up! It just fell over, luckily, in to the woods (it was dead and we already had it marked to cut down). I am surprised we didn’t hear it!

What it looked like before

Link to Random Thoughts Thursday 131

House, Life

By kilax, April 19, 2017 7:46 am

Another bad cat mom moment!

I was excited when I saw tulips at Aldi* for a reasonable price this weekend.

And I was super impressed with myself for tying a bow on the vase and making it look festive.

A few days later I was thinking “Wow, the cats haven’t even destroyed them yet!” (As you know, Data likes to rearrange flowers.)

Then I googled “tulips and cats” and realized they were poisonous for cats. Oops.

Now the tulips are making the cat-free garage festive! Ha.

(What are they sitting on in garage? Steven built a storage unit to hold all of our building supplies on! Now I can park my car in the garage! Yay! Love my handy husband!)

*OMG though this tag. IT IS NOT “ALDI’S”!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh.

Health + Fitness, Rants

By kilax, April 17, 2017 12:19 pm

So soon? Crazy!

I was scrolling through my Instagram recommended feed this weekend and clicked on a picture and was really disappointed by the text, which was that person making fun of another person they saw working out during their workout.

Sigh.

It really bugs me when people on social media* make fun of other people (strangers) they see working out (or doing anything!), and ESPECIALLY if they’ve included a picture of them. I know annoying things happen and it feels good to vent about it and have other people agree, but it’s just NOT COOL.

If what’s happening is a real issue of safety, or someone is heavily violating gym etiquette, get an authoritative figure involved.

Otherwise, I don’t want to read** about someone who does xyz too slow, has bad form, sweats too much, looks stupid in their gym clothes, and so on and so on. Unless it’s about how you’re helping them, focus on you! And support the other people who are out there trying to get healthy, even if they are annoying AF!

*Just do it offline! Vent to a friend!
**Ha ha, so don’t read it, right? I don’t – when I see stuff like this, I usually skip it. I just happened to see this on Instagram!

Running + Training

By kilax, April 16, 2017 11:20 am

Highlight of the Week: Running Bobbi’s speed sesh with her / my first double of the year!

Monday | April 10, 2017: 3 m run + teaching strength class
Loc: hood, Temp: 47°/42°, Time: 28:47, Pace: 9:35 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, energized by the rain and hail
Strength: kettlebell & circuit, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Tuesday | April 11, 2017: rest
Wednesday | April 12, 2017: 7 m run
Loc: VP Woods Loop, Temp: 48°/49°, Time: 1:13:14, Pace: 10:28 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, happy I brought water!
Thursday | April 13, 2017: 10 m ride + 5 m run
Indoor Ride Time: 30:45, Pace: 19.5 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Raven Glen FP, Temp: 50°/49°, Time: 47:52, Pace: 9:34, Difficulty: easy, Felt: strong
Friday | April 14, 2017: teaching strength class + 1,218 yd swim + 6 m run (w/Bobbi, incl. 4×2:00 hills, 6×2:00)
Strength: kettlebell & circuit, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, warm
Loc: FitNation, Time: 26:0, Pace: 2:05 min/100 yd, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, sore arms though!
Loc: hood, Temp: 48°/50°, Time: 1:03:42, Pace: 10:37, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Saturday | April 15, 2017: 3 m run + teaching fitness boxing + 2 m run (w/Anne, Joanne & Tracy)
Loc: hood, Temp: 65°/68°, Time: 30:26, Pace: 10:08 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: hot
Strength: cardio, pads, and mitts, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Grayslake, Temp: 73°/76°, Time: 25:28, Pace: 12:43 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: grateful for the breeze!
Sunday | April 16, 2017: 14 m run
Loc: DPRT/Kilbourne, Temp: 60°/63°, Time: 2:35:08, Pace: 11:05 avg, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: tired, but decent!

Notes:

• For the past few weeks I’ve had at least one run where it rained hard the entire time! I don’t mind running in the rain, but I hope I am not ruining my shoes!
• On my Wednesday run, a safety pin (that I was using to hold my running belt in place) popped out, and when it did, it felt like someone tapped my hip with their hand. I stopped and chopped my arm back in defense. Then realized it was a safety pin. Ha.
• I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I typically swim on Fridays right after I teach strength class and my arms are sometimes already sore from class! Swimming probably helps a bit with recovery!
• It was so nice to run with Bobbi on Friday! She was asking me for recommendations for local hills for repeats and I happen to live very close to a five minute hill!
• I got a sun burn on Friday though (and actually again on Saturday). Eek. I put all my sunscreen out on the counter so I will remember to use it (I did on Sunday!).
• I brought treats to my fitness boxing class for Easter. My mom helped me put them together when I was visiting my home town earlier this month.
• After fitness boxing I had plans to run with Anne, and two more people from class joined us. Yay! We had fun, and that was my first double (run) of the year! And this is the first week this year I’ve run 40 miles! That was my go to weekly mileage for the last two years, but I cut back to 30 per week this year.

Link to Training Week 390

Life

By kilax, April 15, 2017 7:22 am

I always thought those black markings around Khali’s nose were odd.

But figured they were just, well, some odd marking.

Um, nope.

The other day, one of them was loose.

Those black markings? Were actually dried blood around her nose from her street fighting days! Poor thing!

I went in full cat mom mode and used my finger nail to pick them off.

Almost all better:

Oops, sorry Khali.

Life

By kilax, April 14, 2017 7:26 am

I have totally written about this before, so if it seems repetitive, it’s because it is!

This is just a reminder, that if someone is talking to you about something that you have no interest in or dislike, that that is NOT the first thing you have to say to them. IF you say it at all. It’s okay to listen, or ask questions! Even about something that you are not interested in! I know! Shocking!

Ha ha.

It astounds me on social media (and in person) when people mention things they are interested in, and people are so negative with their responses. Blah. Why do they even need to say that? Say it to someone else, duh. Don’t display your crappy side all over the internets. Keep that on the DL.*

All that being said, I am SUPER STOKED to see Fate of the Furious on Sunday! I “celebrated” the release day in my class this morning by having a Fast & Furious themed playlist and having some of the characters join us for our workout. Ha ha ha.

We’ve also been rewatching the movies this week (starting with #3, Fast & Furious) to get ready! If you like the series, check out this awesome infographic about them Rachel shared with me!

*I know, I know, “everything online is so fake and rosy, I want to see some real sh*t!” Well, I don’t want to see people being dicks to each other about their interests. Like who gives a flying fart. If you don’t like it, don’t comment and move along. Save the arguments for real topics. 

Life, Music, Running + Training

By kilax, April 13, 2017 6:28 am

• I haven’t posted a William picture in a long time! Aww, I miss my sweet little nephew.

• My mom sent me home from my early April trip with an Easter basket! How nice! I have fond memories of searching for baskets (and eggs) as a kid.

• When I was in my hometown, my dad and I stopped by his mom’s as a surprise. She didn’t even know I was in town. Or so I thought. When we greeted her, she told me Facebook told her I’d be in town this weekend. Yeah, that’s the last time I say “yes” to a public event on Facebook (that was how she knew – it notified her in the morning I was going to a nearby race the next day). Of course, my grandmother can know where I am, but I don’t like to publicly advertise when I’m traveling.
• I’ve been having some issues with sensitivity to light lately. I am monitoring it and will see the eye doc if I need to. I’ve made it this far without corrective lenses… I hope my eyes aren’t going to sh*t!
• I am currently listening to this song on repeat. Give it a listen. I heard it on an episode of Girls, which means I can now say I actually got something out of watching that show.

• Did Garmin users see the new “privacy zones” setting options? Privacy zones hide your start and end points on publicly shared workouts. You can see the exact route, but other viewers can’t. This is something I’ve thought Garmin should have for awhile, so I was excited to see they added it!

• Speaking of Garmin, I get comments on my Garmin watch nearly every time I am in the office. Funny.
• I had a lot of fun at my coworker’s baby shower last week in Wisconsin! It was fun to chat with all her friends and family she tells me about, and of course, see all the love and support the baby is going to have! Look at this amazing trail mix bar they had at the party, to make your own bag to go. I definitely snacked on mine on the way home.

• Awhile ago someone told me they thought I’d be a good mom because I always have snacks with me. Ha ha. Okay…?
• Also awhile ago, we were getting a house insurance quote and the agent asked what kind of cats we have. “Regular…?” I responded. They both laughed. “American shorthair”? I tried again. Ha. It’s not like with dogs where a breed is more common!

Link to Random Thoughts Thursday 130

Life

By kilax, April 12, 2017 6:23 am

… and Khali is still living inside.

Is anyone even mildly surprised?!

We somewhat are. Our full intention was to let her back outside after she recovered. But we enjoy having her inside too much.

Data secretly does, too. He plays with Khali a few times a day,

and they’re getting pretty close to snuggling together!

A surprise benefit of having Khali live inside is that Data doesn’t bother me as much to wake up in the morning! He used to, sometimes for a couple of hours, before my alarm. But now, when he goes to my pillow to meow in my face at 4:00 am, and sees Khali is nearby, he goes back to the foot of the bed because he doesn’t want to be around her! Ha! Thanks, Khali!

I’ll end with an update on Snow – he’s still loving the outdoor cat life! And we still need to find a way to get him to the vet to be neutered… he’s got too much swagger for his own good!

Life

By kilax, April 11, 2017 4:11 pm

Sigh. Guys, I am still figuring out Redbox. As you are about to see. Before we moved (the first time) in December of 2015, we used Netflix disk delivery and got two disks a week and watched them (and more!) each week. But moving and house projects means we watch movies a little less, so we ended that subscription and have started using Redbox (cause $). Which I kind of suck at. Case in point:

The week Passengers came out to Redbox, we tried to rent it the first day is was available, on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, we stopped at a Redbox we thought we had pre-checked to see if it the movie was there. It actually was not available there. We used the website wrong. Oops. We got Arrival instead and watched it again, knowing the big twist. (AHH! It was like watching a different movie. Let’s talk about this movie if you’ve seen it.)

On Friday, we figured it out and checked in advance! But when we got to the box, the guy using it before us was having some issues with it. He told us when he returned his disk, it just dropped to the bottom. Sure enough, we got an error screen when we tried to rent Passengers. Darn it.

We stopped at another Redbox and it didn’t have it. So we didn’t get a movie. Womp womp, grumpypants.

On Saturday, I thought I was being smart and reserved a rental on my phone. Yay! I went to pick it up, at a Redbox close to the studio where I teach. When I got to the Redbox, I realized I reserved it under Steven’s credit card. Not mine. Steven was not with me. I needed his card to retrieve the movie. I called Redbox and they couldn’t do anything but give me a refund. “You can’t put it on a different card?” “No, our systems don’t allow us to do that.” “You can’t release it from the box so I can rent it?” “No, our systems don’t allow us to do that.” MUTHA F*CKA. (Hey, it was nice they gave me a refund though!)

I went home pissy. Later I went to run errands and decided to reserve the rental with the right card and pick it up near where I was running errands. Yay! Me so smart. But wait a minute, why won’t this go through?!

Oh hellz no. I can’t rent it close to the house because of the other reservation? WTF?! I am not driving back to the spot that was only convenient to where I was in the morning!

I drove to the location near where I was running errands, knowing they had a copy, since it was going to let me reserve it. But did it show a copy when I physically went to the Redbox? No.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I then realized my phone was not going to let me reserve a copy anywhere, since I had one reserved for the night. So I decided to just give up.

But what if… I reserved a blu ray copy?! Would that work?

Yes! Bingo!

Finally!

Gawd, I was so annoyed, I didn’t even want to see it anymore. Ha.

I swore I wouldn’t use Redbox again after this, but they sent me a few free rentals. So you know I went back. I just really pay attention to which credit card I put it on (you use that to pick up a free rental) and which location.

When did I get so old* that I can’t use technology right?!

This is NOT a sponsored post. 

*I actually saw part of this movie elsewhere, but couldn’t follow since the version I saw didn’t have closed captions. Yep. I watch everything with closed captions. I actually liked the movie more when I could follow what they were saying!