Yo!
Since this blog has become dormant like a quiet mouse
And I miss blogging and writing
And I have much to tell about running
And Mr. Speedy dates
And Mr. Speedy’s arms
And …
Anyways, I started a new blog here, Sincerely Lily.
Please follow me there!
If you don’t want to follow me there… well I will be super sad and super confused, just like this:
Why you no follow us?
I just would like to note that lots of wine was involved in this completely composed image.
I came home from work and was pleasantly surprised to find this on my bed:
He carved me a message in my blanket!
Mr. Speedy slept over, staying late and before he left (I was already at work), he not only carved me a love message but also cleaned my ENTIRE bedroom.
He even managed to close my closet doors.
They are never closed. Seriously.
Clothes and shoes are constantly overflowing out.
But somehow, this gorgeous thoughtful man, neatly shut the doors.
My room- cleaned! I was very surprised.
So, this is #5873 why I love him:
In addition to his muscled legs, assertive kissing techniques, diesel truck, compassionate heart, button-up shirts, crinkled-nose laughing face, and every single aspect of his brain, body, and being-
I love him because he does small, simple things for me.
Part of being a couple means doing nice/caring things for each other. Sometimes one person does more than the other… or does not return the favor at all. It happens, more often than most people would like to admit. There is an imbalance, a lack of harmony.
A breach in our affection through thoughtful actions is not something we seem to suffer from.
And to me, that is concrete evidence that we are devoted and committed.
We are also committed to each other because we are on the same phone plan but…
I like my first romantic reason better.
Ok. Thank you. Goodbye.
Love,
Mr. Speedy’s GF 4EVa
P.S. I just opened the closet… and now I can’t get it shut again. Help.
First, I am using the term ‘we’ very loosely throughout this post.
And I would like to announce that I am basically a master mechanic from my recent experience shown in the following video-
(turn up your volume and you can hear me grunt pure strength… and those are Mr. Speedy’s boots- sorry, I don’t have freakishly long footies)
It only took me approximately 53 minutes to remove that thing I was trying to remove.
Anyways, Mr. Speedy is teaching me how to work on my car.
When I say teaching me, I really mean he lets me use long bars to pry off wheels. Sometimes I get to use the zoom-zoom drill to take off love-nuts from the hub-cake.
And then I generally get distracted, and organize bolts or make hot tea.
Mr. Speedy has a natural knack for working on cars, engines, and things with motors.
Sometimes he thinks he should share his love for engine work with me (bless his heart), even though I have shown no sign of interest or comprehension towards piston movement, brake rotars, or witches. I mean wenches (is that a tool? I have no idea).
He will FaceTime me while working on projects and I will….. stare:
I believe he was putting back together an engine at lightning speed.
For nostalgic reasons, he purchased a used vehicle that was exactly like his very first car he ever owned.
He drove hundreds of miles, towing it back home using his manly truck, calling me and saying, “It needs a lot of work, but I’m so excited! You can help me!”
So, sometimes we work on this car- called Red Rocket.
First, we will scavenger hunt in a junk yard and find parts for R. Rocket.
When I say we, I really mean him, because all these cars look the same and I feel like I might need a tetanus shot if I touch anything.
He was SO excited to be here. It was like Christmas x 9283794867.
Once back in the working garage, we wheel his mammoth tool box out.
When I say we, I really mean him, because my biceps are not as developed as his and I am usually wearing my chic leather boots.
(When you wear leather boots, you can’t be expected to push heavy things.)
His tool chest is RIDICULOUSLY big and heavy. Like a red elephant.
Next, we got down to business and started to tear apart the brake system.
When I say we, I really mean him, because I was wearing my cute sweater dress.
I also was drinking a latte and it really is impossible to get under a car with a coffee in hand.
Such a hard worker… I was hard at working at… staying clean? Not staining my dress with coffee?
The amazing thing is that he did not seem to notice my lack of ability to participate.
I did participate though.
I documented his hard work:
Drool…….
Pictures like this make me realize three things:
1. I love fixing cars solely because of pictures like this.
2. Leg = Drool-I-Would-Like-To-Maul-You.
3. I need more pictures like this.
Thank you Mr. Speedy, for fixing my brake pads, brake rotars, wheel bearings, handle panel, and oil stuff.
I promise to always make you breakfast and make your bed.
I’m going to make a movie reference so you can fully understand my excitement.
Please, bear with me.
Have you seen the movie Ever After?
Drew Barrymore is Cinderella.
She has an evil step-mom, smells like cinders, loves books, etc.
… Do you remember the scene when Evil Step-Mom is trying to find suitable dresses for her evil Step-Daughters to wear to the ball?
She is frustrated with the simplicity of all the fabrics at hand, wants the best fashion for her daughters and begins to think…
AND THEN SHE REMEMBERS.
Ms. Barrymore has her dead mother’s wedding dress which is, like, the best dress ever and would surely guarantee anyone clothed in it to make a grand entrance at any ball, thus causing the Prince to fall madly in love with her, and then propose and live happily ever after.
I just felt like that Evil Step-Mom because I found this hidden in a highly neglected corner of a haphazard closet:
The label says ‘Bronze.’ But I think it might be a very light gold. Or shiny wheat. Or caramel.
This dress… has been tucked away and ignored for about 10 years.
It was Homecoming season and while trying to find a dress as a string-bean of a sophomore, my Mom discovered this bronze beauty on a sale rack.
“Oh, Lily!” she squealed. “It is Ralph Lauren! Every woman deserves a Ralph Lauren dress. I’m getting this for you to keep. For the future, when you fit in it.”
She plopped it immediately into our shopping cart and that was that.
I remember thinking, This is what I will wear to a royal ball. Or to college dances.
College dances.
Little did I know that college dances called for a ‘less-is-more’ dress code and generally took place in a dimly-lit room of a fraternity that smelt of beer breath and wet carpet.
Under a $100! What a steal! My mother…. what a trendy shopper.
The low back is my favorite:
Clearly, this was a difficult shot to get. I apologize for my ape arm and awkwardness.
I feel like I struck gold (no pun intended because it is quite gold!) finding this.
I have no idea where I shall wear it…
Since I don’t know any royals and college dances are out of the question.
Maybe I can wear it for my next date with Mr. Speedy…
Just show up, ball gown on and hair up, ready to go.
He might begin to think I am high-maintenance.
Or dressing up for Halloween on the wrong day.
Drats.
Where do you wear dresses like this?
It is done. I done it. Did it, I did.
I made it. Horrrrrrrah!
Let me first just say that running a marathon is a FRICKEN BEAST OF ANOTHER KIND.
My first half was a 1:42 which was excellent because it was very difficult to remind myself to ‘hold back’ and ‘go slooooooower.’ But, after I hit that halfway mark, I felt strong and similar to a Viking who was on a voyage. I stuck close to the 3:25 pace group (7:49 min/mile) and thought- “Hey, I got this! I am doing it! My legs are moving so well! Omg, I’m starving.”
And then… somewhere in the midst of mile 18, I started to run out of energy from my 120 lb. body and felt like a malnourished ferret. Then seeing my mother and Pirate cheer me from the side of the road, caused me to fill with emotion and I started to cry.
I don’t know if you have ever cried while trying to catch your breath after running 18 miles at sub-8 minute miles but IT MAKES BREATHING VERY DIFFICULT.
HOLY MOSES.
And then, just before mile 20, I had to go to the potty.
And I mean GO-NUMBER-3-LIKE-AN-OVER-STUFFED-BURRITO-BAD.
I took my time, tacking on around 2 minutes. I was that far into the race, and happy I did not have an accident in my spandex, and just thought “Well, I’m not rushing this porta potty experience.” I emerged from the glorious plastic box of a bathroom and immediately experienced a somewhat sickly feeling because all my food that I did have in me, was out of me, and well… it is hard to run when your tank is on empty.
But, the run continued. My last 6 miles were mega slow but….
I love- our space blankets, my super attractive drowned rat look, and him.
I mean Yippie. So did Mr. Speedy (duh!) with a ::drumroll::…… 2:52 time.
That is balls fast and was not even a PR for him.
I am literally dating a man with cheetah genes.
I was in corral B. I have a sweet medal. I still have an ugly toenail… but at least it is still attached!
The best part right after the race was riding the People Mover.
It is an electronic mini-train that is above ground and goes throughout Detroit.
People Mover… whoever thought up the name was obviously extremely creative.
I love this picture. We were so happy to SIT:
My mom took this…. I want it framed. We were so.. SMELLY and HAPPY.
And now, Mr. Speedy is sleeping like a baby:
Oh my…. Handsome. Hunky. Happiness.
And I drank 35 chai lattes and am hyper and don’t know what to do with myself:
See that blob in the background? That is Mr. Speedy. See that blob in the foreground? That is one hyper lady.
A super special THANK YOU to all my Hanson Yellow Team members, friends, family, co-workers.… having your supports and seeing you throughout the race and on the side was a major boost and reminded me that I shall make it to the end and not curl into fetal position like a bum.
And thank you, Mr. Speedy.
If we had no cars and lived 26.2 miles apart…
I would run a marathon to you anytime and all the time.
I just would need a porta potty set up along the way.
♥
And all I want is a cabochon.
(That was the only word I could find that rhymed with marathon. It means a highly polished gem… and kind of looks like something Merlin would wear. I do not want one.)
Uh… I am good. Thanks. I don’t feel like being mystical today.
I will be running my FIRST FULL MARATHON in less than 24 hours.
The anticipation/anxiety I feel is very similar to the following:
Mr. Speedy really has been great.
And by great, I mean a never-ending pillar of support, encouragement, and friend throughout the journey of training for this race.
He is my running rock.
And if that was not enough, he surprised me with a GIFT OF MARATHON goodies.
Lots of YUMMY GU, reflective arm bands, a sweet pink headband, amazing maroon ARM WARMERS! YAY!
Those arm warmers are pretty darn cool. I may or may not be wearing them right now…. (don’t judge me).
He bought me techy mitten/gloves! So I can still click my iPhone or iPod and a massage gift card for an HOUR long body rub down!
I am really excited about those gloves. No, the hour long massage. No, eating all the Gu. Gah, all of it has a purpose and means so much to me.
But what meant the most-
was the extremely detailed letter that he wrote:
Short. Sweet. To the point.
Ok, he actually did not finish writing this letter. Something about me opening the present prematurely and then us spending all our time together causing him no time to write a secret marathon letter to me.
Whatever. I shall cherish it forever. It speaks the truth.
We went to the Expo to pick up our race packets, where I swooned.
I ask you- what is better than gawking around at booths filled with running supplies, energy bars, and colored shoelaces with your hunky boyfriend?
Nothing.
There we are! All smiles even with the large intimating course map looming behind us.
Also, I am a major dork:
I’m holding it up! (that was totally Mr. Speedy’s idea). Next, I am modeling with a coffee cup and finally, standing next to one of our favorite super tall, nice, supportive running friend.
In closing of this blog, I am going to share with you my top-secret performance plan to tomorrow.
It consists of the following:
Basically, I am just going to have fun with this and not put any pressure on myself to get a certain time. This is my first and my only expectation is to … FINISH. No particular time, just have a smooth go at it.
I have beaten myself up over ‘bad’ times or not performing as well as I had hoped-
And that is no fun.
So here is to running for fun, enjoying every step in every mile, and having a big smile on my face at the finish line!
Love,
Super-Nervous-Full-of-Pasta-Food-Baby-Woman
Recently, I subjected Mr. Speedy to watching a girly movie with me (#5 on the list)…
That resulted in me sobbing.
And blowing my runny noise into his broad shoulder.
I am one of those people described as openly emotional.
If I see something that pulls at my heart strings, I lose it.
I try my darnedest to hold it and maintain my composure in the theatre or wherever, but I end up looking like a drowned rat- runny nose, gooey eyelashes, and rosy cheeks.
Then I ask for whoever is sitting next to me to lend me their sleeve.
And to swaddle me up in a blanket, like this-
TOP 10 MOVIE TEAR-JERKERS:
1. North & South: Mr. Thornton is swoon-worthy, even with his collar popped. And there is something about trains that is undeniably romantic. When he delivers this line, such tender assertiveness, my heart melts and flips all over and I tear right up:
2. Happy Feet: Omgee, the scene where he falls into the crevase and the mean birds try to pluck him out and feed on him… I can’t handle it. My motherly instict kicks in and I just want to scoop him up, press him close to my chest, and tell him I love him.
This little ball of fluff is just too much. I can’t handle such baby-cuteness.
3. Anne of Green Gables: This movie gets me every time. When Matthew falls in the field and Anne runs up to him, I just begin to gush. Then he says this, looking at her with his deep blue eyes, and I’m a goner:
4. Atonement: I own this on DVD, paperback book, Kindle and book on CD (so I can listen to in the car). That is how utterly obsessed I am with this tragic love story (it might be directly related to the fact that it has the STEAMIEST love scene ever that takes place in a library). This café rendezvous is just a juxtaposition of emotions- she is somewhat coarse and short with her words, he is elusive but patient. They are like in slow motion while everyone is happily having lunch, completely unaware of how much this couple went through to have this brief moment together.
5. The Time Traveler’s Wife: Clare is ardenly in love with Henry, a librarian and time traveler. I was going to post a video of the ending because that is where I really turn into a blubbery mess BUT this does it too. Love Will Tear Us Apart is a perfect song for these two. And I feel like I can relate to Clare because on my wedding night, I most likely will want to jump on the bed with my husband. I just pray he doesn’t dissapear on me.
6. The Land Before Time: Once I was babysitting and the kids wanted to watch this movie… as soon as Little Foot loses his Mother, I lost it, and ended up calling my Mother and sobbing on the phone while the kids stared at me in disbelieve. I am not longer allowed to babysit.
Only click this if you can spoon with someone immediately. I can’t even watch this.
7. Now And Then: Any scene with Crazy Pete, I just start crying. It is that elderly kind man with big eyes that just gets me. I once watched this with my sassy girlfriend, and she yelled at me and told me to get a grip. I just sobbed more. And hid under her armpit.
8. Somewhere In Time: If you are from MICHIGAN and have not watched this movie- go out, rent it, and plop your beehind down and enjoy. It is filmed on Mackinac Island and it is a lovely romance about two lovers separated by time and social classes. This theme song (he hums to her while rowing a boat along the island’s shore) is gorgeous and I can’t listen to it without getting sappy:
9. The Painted Veil: Do you like Edward Norton? You’ll like him even more after you watch this. I read the book, but amazingly- the movie is better. It is all about loving and forgiving and living. I won’t spoil it any further, so here is the theme song, Gnossienne No. 1. How does this not make you emotional???
10. Tall Tale: OKAY MEN- you have had to scene this movie, an Old Western film with bandits, Pectos Bill the cowboy, lumberjack Paul Bunyan, muscled and inspiring John Henry…. I cry throughout this movie. I don’t know why exactly, it is a total guy’s movie- but it is all about chasing dreams and helping one another out.
“I ought to plug you two right now, but I make it a rule never to kill a man on Sunday. “
I would just like to mention that if you are looking for a really wonderful book to read-
ATONEMENT
One of the best books I have ever read.
I have it in print, digital, and CD form.
That is how much I love it.
(and enjoy things that make me cry)
These were made from bran cereal– amazing!
Cereal that has a lot of grams of fiber and resembles dog food is my favorite.
I don’t know why I like it, I just do.
Kroger brand Bran cereal is a preferred choice.
I never noticed it before but on the side of the box, there is a recipe for muffins:
Oh hey there, recipe!
After noticing this, I observed that we had a very ripe banana in the kitchen thus making it an ideal time to try out this recipe.
I made a few adjustments, to ensure these muffins are super healthy and very low in fat. And high in tastiness.
This is what you need:
1. Preheat oven to 400° and grease up a muffin pan like a chiseled body builder.
2. In a bowl, pour cereal and milk together. Mix.
3. Take greek yogurt (I used vanilla flavor) and add to cereal/milk mixture. Then add mashed up banananannana. Mix well!
Yummy… that last picture looks kind of gross.
4. In a separate larger bowl, mix your flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon/pumpkin spice, and vanilla extract.
It is organic! Fancy!
5. Then add your banana mush mixture to the dry ingredient mixture. It should look messy, like this:
How delightful.
6. Spoon evenly into 12 muffin molds and pop it in the oven for 22-27 minutes
Ready to be baked!
7. Remove from muffin mold, let them cool (I suggest you do that because I burnt my tongue brutally due to impatience) and then enjoy!
Muffffffffffin muffin. Yummy.
Run4Wine!
Due to my taste buds affection towards wine, I just HAD to run this race.
Due to Mr. Speedy’s affection towards me, he just HAD to run this race.
(Technically, he was slightly unaware of this race and of the fact that I signed us up with his credit card… but whatever. Sometimes these things happen.)
This me holding my sweet wine glass. I love it.
The 4 mile race took place on a golf course and WAS PRETTY FLIPPIN’ AWESOME because post-race, you got:
We both got ‘wine glass’ medals for placing. And wore them proudly.
The BBQ food was quite yummy and being an avid eater, I enjoyed it:
“Hi, I like meat. The end.”
Now, for the prizes.
Due to the fact that boyfriend is like a Kenyan but not Kenyan and has the lungs of a killer whale, he won this race quite comfortably running easy 5:20 pace throughout it.
I came in 9th overall (there was about 900 total) and 2nd female (there was a super fast women ahead of me… give me 10 more years of training, I’ll get there). I ran a 7:04 pace which is on the slower side for such a short race BUT it was a bumpy hilly course and filled with sand traps which are not good on the ankles.
The benefit of having my companion be a race winner, is that whatever he wins… generally, he shares with me.
And by golly, this grand prize is the BEST COUPLE-DATE PRIZE EVER.
Please read below:
He gets a fancy Mercedes-Benz for a night and dinner for two at a fancy place! OH LA LA
He also won a bottle of wine (the far right one… the other two we bought):
That is pretty awesome.
I feel like throughout this post I have over-used the words awesome and sweet and flippin’….
But I can’t help it.
I’m excited for my fancy car dinner date with this man:
Oh my…. pictures like this make me wonder how did I survive so long without pictures like this?
I hope he is excited to take me out…
Since I look just as good as him… especially my frazzled hair:
“My number is 300!?! Do you think I could have been a Spartan!?!? I want some cheese.”
What is the best race you have ever done??? This was a lot of fun due to the post-race party and it was a perfect reminder of how fun running is at the end of my marathon training (marathon is next weekend! eeeeeeeek!)
A few things have happened to me recently.
I am wondering if they have happened to you.
1. Weeks ago, when my knee was aching with the pain of natural child birth, I put some ice on it. When I say I put ice on it, I mean that literally. I did not put any sort of cloth or bandage between my precious skin and the freezing ice pack.
Mr. Speedy came home from work, only to find me in a supine position, ice-pack balanced on my knee, happily reading a book. He lifted the ice-pack and immediately asked how long had it been directly on my skin.
“I don’t know… an hour? Or two?”
I had a severe looking burn on my knee for weeks, that turned into splotchy red chicken pox spots, and finally now is gone.
Mr. Speedy warned me that when our future children have booboos, I am not allowed to use any sort of ice near them.
Ewwwwww! Frostbite on the knee.
2. The boyshort panty look is really cute and sexy. Most men and women would probably agree with this statement.
I recently bought a new pack of boyshorts, complete with bright blues and vivid greens, and slipped into a pair after running a race with Mr. Speedy. We were in relaxation mode, drinking a beer and contemplating if we should snuggle, make out, clean, or eat food.
He snapped a candid shot of me.
To my knowledge, I really thought I was looking quite sexy and similar to this:
This is what I really looked like:
I am NOT FLICKING off the camera. And that is my happy face.
I have no idea why my middle finger decided to project out or why I have a nasty scowling look (I was really quite happy and content!).
I hate it when that happens… you think you appear one way and actually, appear to be quite the opposite.
3. I saved the best for last.
While I was in Nebraska, visiting the boyfriend’s family, I got to babysit and feed and play with his tiny little niece.
She has the same name as me, so I feel like we share a special bond.
While feeding her mushed up carrots picnic-style in the backyard, I was a victim of a terrible crime.
A TICK snuck onto my back and began to burrow itself into my spine.
He might be on my back in this picture… we shall never know.
This horrific bug was not discovered on me until the next morning by my eagle-eye of a love.
While changing (about 18 hours after the picnic), Mr. Speedy lightly touched my shoulders and said “Lily, don’t freak out. But… don’t freak out, but there is a tick in your back.”
I FREAKED THE FREAK OUT.
Immediately.
He had to use 3 matches to burn the little bugger out of my skin.
I don’t know if I’ll ever go on an outdoor picnic again.
Sorry, baby Lillyan.
“It is okay. You can feed me in a suitcase.”
Anyways….
Has that ever happened to you?
Just wondering.
