River Route 675

The water is calm, almost like glass.  The only sounds are the wildlife -- jumping mullet, croaking frogs, birds chirping...a woodpecker.  The air is moist, but cool, promising to lift the dew that has settled like a sheet on everything, waiting to wake up and pull off the covers.

No boats, no wave runners, no sound of humans.  Only in the far distance do I hear the faint barking of a dog.  This morning it is my river, my escape.  I drink my coffee and soak in my surroundings, take a deep breath and close my eyes.  The day is promising.

Welcome to river.

Good morning, Samson says with a stretch.

Being an Un-Expert

I am an un-expert (c) at a lot of things in life, and yes, I'm willing to admit it.  Chances are, you are too.  I'm pretty much ok with not knowing everything about everything EXCEPT when it means people who are 'so-called' experts take advantage of me.  But therein lies the problem...if you're not an expert, how do you know if they are taking advantage of you or not? 

Odd post? It's about to make sense. 

I had our A/C units serviced a few weeks ago, you know, just the basic spring check-up to make sure everything was in order before they start working over-time in our 100 degree plus summer.  I used Kozy Air Conditioning Services because they sent out a mailer **Special:  Two units serviced for only $89.99**  I should have been skeptical from the start.  Let me translate for you:  'Special' from an A/C company (or probably most service-based companies) means 'Let us come into your home and then take advantage of you.'  How?  Well, my diagnosis from my service call was that at a bare-minimum, I needed to have both inside units thoroughly cleaned at $550 each (I know I'm not great at math, but let me add that for you: $1,100).  In fact, the service man went so far as to say that he wouldn't even turn on our A/C without having this done because if we did, it would blow our outside units and we'd have to spend thousands replacing them.  Once I told him that was not going to clean both units right now, he hedged a bit and confessed that, well, maybe I just needed to do it to the downstairs unit.  Hum... a little fishy? 

Enter A/C service call #2.

I called S&E service and had them service our units, and, what do you know??  Totally different diagnosis.  I confessed and told the man what had gone on from my first check-up and he said that first of all, the inside unit breaking would not cause the outside unit to blow, ever.  Secondly, he thought it was ridiculous to have the unit cleaned for $550 and that it wasn't even necessary.  Basically, one of our inside units is getting old and we'll have to replace the blower (for about $600) but it could be a week or it could be a year, and cleaning it would do nothing to 'save' it. 

So, there you go.  What have we learned?  First, I am an un-expert in air-conditioning units.  Secondly, people will take advantage of you if they think they can.  And third, always get a second opinion.

Another area I'm an un-expert in - cars - but we'll have to cover that in another post; I'm worn out.

Kozy, I hope people read this post and opt out of your 'special check-up'...I'm just sayin'... karma.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  Thank you to our service men, women and vets!

Running is Pleasure; Pleasure is Running

No, it's not an oxymoron (I know lots of you are thinking that).  Running really can be enjoyable and productive.  For example, when I run I'm able to multi-task; burn calories and let my mind wander.  One thought that frequents my mind is 'Ah, I've burned like 400 calories, I'm awesome!'  (let me just note, that 400 calories does not equal half a carton of Dryer's Light Cookie Dough ice cream...it's good...so good that I've had to throw out part of the past two cartons I've bought because I have NO self control!).  It's refreshing to have time to yourself to decompress, de-stress and not feel obligated to be doing anything else.  Plus, while I have never had a 'runner's high' while running, I don't know many things that make me feel as good as when I've finished a run.  Today when I was running, I was thinking about what to post on my blog and ... a-ha! ... a 'running' post.

Let's back up just a bit.  I am a pretty serious runner (compared to most, not my husband, or most of his friends for that matter).  This was not always so, just within the past year or so have I gotten more intense.  I used to just go for casual jogs, say, around a 9:30 to 10:00 minute pace per mile.  Now I'm running closer to an 8:15 to 8:30 minute per mile pace.  Why is this you say?

Enter Newtons.

These puppies make you run...fast!  I started wearing their entry-level shoe last year and just recently switched to the racer trainer (pictured above).  Visit their website: http://www.newtonrunning.com/ for more information on where to buy. **Hey, Newton, if you are reading this, I wear a 7.5 and would love another pair!**  Basically, they re-teach you how to run, correct your stride and help you avoid injury and increase your speed.  I swear, they work.  The only down-sides are that: 1. They only make one color per model, so instead of getting a nice pink shoe that I would prefer to run in, I have to get what I have affectionately dubbed 'ketchup and mustard shoes' because that's the 'level' that I am currently in and 2. They are expensive.  The entry level is the least expensive; they hook you and then raise the price.

So, moving on.  I love running, most days. Check back with me when it's cold, humid, windy, etc! haha  One thing I particularly love about running is that hardly anyone passes me anymore.  At least, any women. And the men who pass me are usually real runners, so I don't feel so bad.  What does extremely annoy me is when people who don't look like real runners pass me.  Like today for example, I heard really loud, clompy foot steps approaching from behind. I'm thinking 'Oh crap, someone is going to pass me.'  Then I see that it's a slightly over-weight man, dripped in sweat, wearing baggy shorts (non-runner style) and bulky K-Swiss shoes. Not a real runner.  And he passes me.  But then, about two minutes later, he is already walking and I glide right by him in my running skirt.  Ha! Take that!

Lastly, if you are ever feeling in a running slump and need motivation, cute running clothes always help to pick me up.  I am a devotee of the running skirt, in fact, that's all I wear now.  They are much more comfortable than shorts and much cuter. 

If you've made it to the end of this post (with only one photo) I assume it's either: a) you are a runner, b) you are now considering running c) really enjoy my writing or d) really bored.  Whatever your reason, thanks for reading.  And if you are interested in running or want to know some great places to shop for running clothes, just ask.

36 Hours in Atlanta

I went to Atlanta this weekend for a baby shower I was co-throwing for my best friend, Jessica.  Her baby, Vivian, is due June 25th!  Too fast of a weekend, but so glad I got to go :)

12:00 am - 3:00 am
Get in at midnight, Friday (well, Saturday if you are being technical). Stay up until 3 am chatting and catching up with girlfriends.

3:00 am - 9:00 am
Sleep.

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Run with Sara.

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Eat french toast and fruit and yogurt parfaits our gracious, pregnant hostess made for us.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Pick up sandwiches and treats from local bakery.  Stop by to tour a town home Sara is looking to buy.

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Prep all food and decorate for baby shower. Shower and get dressed.

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Baby shower!  Play games, open presents and eat.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Clean up from shower and spend time with friends.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Drive with my mom to Griffin, GA.

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Visit with my mother-in-law.

9:30 pm - 9:00 am
Sleep (yes, I was tired).

9:00 am - 11:00 am
Eat breakfast, chat with Mary (my mother-in-law), get ready to go.

11:00 am - 12:20 pm
Drive with Will's Aunt Debbie to the airport.

1:35 pm
Board plane and leave.

So, as you see, it was a fast weekend but a lovely one.  While I was sitting in the airport on my return flight, I ran into a friend from college, Brooke.  She was on her way to Rome for a Mediterranean cruise!

A few photos of highlights of the weekend. Enjoy!

Friday the 13th

Yes, today is Friday the 13th!  Many of you may think that it's a 'bad' day, but the 13th as a whole is a great day.  Here are some reasons why:

1. I met Will on Friday the 13th.
2. My friends, Ashley & Will, married on the 13th.
3. My parents, and my friends, Lindsey & Will, were married on March 13th.
(notice a pattern... marriage and 'Will's')
4. In Italian, '13' is a lucky number.
5. The Olympics, in Athens, opened on Friday the 13th.
6. This year Jupiter will line up in the sky with Venus, Mercury and Mars today - Friday, May 13. The once-in-a-lifetime astrological spectacle will be visible in Australia (unfortunately, I won't be able to see it).

*No real reason for the photo, just seemed like I needed some colors and hydrangeas are my favorite flowers.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Galveston H.I.M.

Long delay between posts, I know. Sorry, but it's been so nice outside that I haven't wanted to sit inside and blog.

But, now is the time and I have a few things to catch you up on.  First topic is Galveston H.I.M. For those of you (most of you... normal! people) who don't know what H.I.M. stands for, it means 'Half Ironman'.  As in, triathlon.

This was Will's training race for his Ironman this June.  We spent the weekend in Galveston, TX and I'm thinking, well this should be nice, beach town, outside, lovely...right?  WRONG!  Galveston is gross and sticky (and I'm from Alabama, so I know humidity!).  It may sound like I am being harsh, but I expected a lot more out of a 'beach town' and this city did not deliver.  It was old, run-down, and didn't even have nice beaches.  Maybe my standards are too high since I'm used to the white sand beaches my home has to offer.

But, we weren't there for vacation, we were there to race!  And race Will did.  He had his personal best and I was able to offer a lot of support throughout the day because the course looped and I got to see him quite often to cheer him along.

Another nice part of the day was that while he was out on his bike portion (56 miles), I was able to get in a nice run and a shower at the host hotel.  This was the first race that the pro's were at that we've been to, and it was neat to get to see their bikes and hear them speak the day before the race.

And now, a few photos from our sticky, but successful weekend in Galveston.

Nicest rest stop I've been to - had a playground and a nature trail

Playground at the rest stop!

We were with this other car all the way from Dallas to Houston

Transition at the HIM - Moody Gardens was the host hotel

Doggles! Hahahahahahaha

Some of the pro's

Of course I made Will get his picture with them!

*While I am not a fan of the island of Galveston, I will say that it looks like a jewel when compared to Texas City, Texas.