9.2

Shorts: Mudd but no idea where I got them or when. Maybe they just appeared on my closet floor
Shoes: Target
Shirt: NY&Co.

What a nice 9/80 day off. I did a lot of laundry. I went to lunch with Dave.   I took a nap.

 I probably did other stuff. I have no idea what I did for dinner or what I did all evening and this was 2 days ago.

Oh I did watch Necessary Roughness and Royal Pains. I stayed up too late watching them all.

Here is the small table and chairs I bought a few weeks ago. I didn't have a picture to post then.  It is small, but it at least seats 4 which was better than what was there that sat 0. :) Now if only it wasn't going to rain everyday so I could invite some people over to use this.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:49:52 AM - Poly knew I was about to get up and jumped up on me. Now she's on my lap purring but I was about to go to bed.
12:49:25 PM - so much work to do + so many meetings != fun work day.
03:04:07 PM - @TheNewChrissy I'm familiar with dogs loving the couch.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

8.11

Shoes: Connie via Famous Footwear
Shirt, skirt, and cardigan: Express
Necklace: Lia Sophia
Necklace (short one): Gifted (this is the first time I've doubled up on necklaces. I want to layer necklaces more. It is really out of my comfort zone.
Bracelet: Target I think.

If I leave for work too late, it is too bright and the pictures are hard to get in my front yard.
I love this skirt, but also hate it. If I have to do a lot of walking it gets more annoying. I can't open my stride as much as I want in this skirt. Also if I walk while holding a bag, the skirt spins. Once it spun as much as 90 degrees.

Sorry it has been too long. I don't remember anything that went on besides work (happens all week days).

9.3 - Exhausting

Saturday started with a 5k.  Then I showered and got ready for the pool.  Dave and I picked up Jen and went to lunch. Then we went to the pool.  We were there over 3 hours. At the pool, I swear we were the palest 3 people there.  We have somehow become old and we needed our sunglasses. We wore them in the pool.  Then Dave and I went to Wendy's for dinner. After dinner, I took a little nap on the couch. This nap lasted 3 hours.  I tried to go to bed shortly after, but got up when I heard fireworks and I wasn't close to falling asleep.  I cropped pictures and blogged until 2:45AM. I kept telling myself I'd go to sleep but the time just kept passing and I kept working at the computer. Then my computer shut itself down. I almost turned it back on but remembered I did want to go to sleep so I just left it at that and went in to go to sleep.

The race had some official photos taken. I pulled some from the website and they are above.

I wore 2 different outfits. I wore a dress over my dress and then I wore a brown shirt and khaki shorts later. I didn't remember to get a picture of me in either.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

06:43:25 PM - Wow I'm so out of the loop. Tonight is the 4th debate. 4th! I didn't know about the others.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

3.1 mile run - 9.7.11

I was going to run my standard loop and do just over 2.5 miles but while I was running I thought up how I have a file that has all my 5k splits and to put a run on there I have to run at least 5k so I changed my mind and decided to add to my run.  The weather was great. It was 62 degrees. No humidity. It was great to be able to run and breathe at the same time.

3 out of my first 4 splits were 2:15. After the first one, I decided to make my goal 9 minute mile pace so then I kept counting how many seconds I had to spare or how many behind I was.  I was ahead for a little but then between 1.25 and 1.5, I got behind. I had to make up time.  That probably helped me push it a bit more. Then I got 2 at 2:12 to help me make up time.

Best split: 1:58. Worst split: 2:29. Quite the range. 

I tried to look back at all my Garmin Data to see each time I ran near my house. I put together a little summary table. It made me a little more disappointed.  I thought today was awesome compared to past times but it wasn't really.  My best split was a short run that wasn't my normal loop. It was mainly flat and I went Ambassador, to Ridge, To Denny, and back.

I have my running data from 2010 but I didn't write where I ran each run so I can't really compare.  Man I tried to refrain from typing all my data and documenting everything and I still spent an hour after each run but now I wish I had different data. I could spend hours redoing things.  I can check my blog because I tend to document on here what I did. I don't know if I always blogged about all my runs though. Just looked and I did not.  I want more data. I'm addicted. Data is so fun. I document as much as possible. Some times I haven't and I always think about it. September of last year I lacked at documentation and now I'm wondering what it really was.  I don't even know how people go for runs without even knowing how far they ran. Or sometimes without even knowing how long they were running for. Man I could not handle that.

8.16 - Mount Elbert

On August 16, we went to Mount Elbert. We were going in the morning, but we didn't quite know what time. Or well I didn't know what time.  Next thing I know Griff and Huck show up at Callie's ready to go. I'm still in my PJs and Timmy was still in bed.  Callie made us breakfast before we left. She made 3 different breakfasts for 4 people. I think she catered to guests a little too much.

Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America, at 14,440 feet, the highest of the fourteeners in Colorado, and the high point of the Sawatch Range. It is located in Lake County, approximately 10 miles southwest of Leadville. It lies within the San Isabel National Forest. The mountain was named after Colorado statesman Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was active in the formative period of the State. Mount Elbert is the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States, after Mount Whitney in California, and is only 65 feet shorter than Whitney's 14,505 feet.

We took pictures on the way up.  We also took breaks on the way up. The elevation is hard to get used to. Also walking to get to the top at top speed is a very hard thing to deal with so soon after arriving at a high elevation.

After going up a little (a lot), I started having the dogs help me up the mountain.  They helped but I'd still get out of breath.  I needed breaks often. I felt so out of shape, even though I know it was the elevation. Also having to walk so fast was a struggle.  Climbing a 14er so soon after getting to Leadville wasn't the best idea.

After awhile my head started getting all foggy. I still kept trying to walk up. I got above the tree line.  So in addition to my head being foggy, my fear of heights was coming into play too. Oh man does it suck being afraid of heights.  Then a storm sounded like it was about to roll in. I decided that was the last straw and I decided to be a wimp and stop going to the top. Everyone went without me.  I headed back down below the tree line. I sat there for a bit.  I was forcing myself to eat my snacks but you know how when you are light headed eating feels like such a chore. It was like forcing to get my food down.

I sat for what wasn't long at all and then Timmy joined me.  He couldn't go up any more either.  Then we had fun taking pictures.  We went down the mountain slowly and it was so very nice. We got to take picture of the weather on other mountains.  

I did end up looking at the blisters on my foot and seeing how bad off they are. Having blisters on my feet also sucked. I couldn't bend my feet at the ball or it hurt. I couldn't push off with my toes. It was rough. 

After a little bit everyone else came and joined us. There went our picture time and we hurried down the mountain. Part of the rush was still the potential of a storm coming in. Going down the mountain I kept getting so far behind the group. I swear they didn't even know that I wasn't 2 steps behind them. Downhill was a lot tougher on the ol' feet.  I fell twice skidding down the hill. My shoes weren't the best for trails and lacked the appropriate tred.

After we got back down the mountain we took a group picture. It took a few tries to try to get it right. Note the progress.

1. All in all it was a good mountain adventure even though none of us made it the whole way to the top. 
2. I really wish I wasn't afraid of heights.
3. I wish it wasn't chilly when we left in the morning or that I was used to the temperature swing so I would not have worn pants
4. I got some awesome pictures from the mountain even if I didn't get pictures from the tip top
5. I have a picasa album that has some but not all of the pictures from the day.
6. My calves hurt when I woke up from climbing the dunes so that probably made the climb of Mount Elbert even harder.
7. Mosquitos bit me like crazy on this trip. Even through 2 layers of clothes. 

After hiking up the mountain we were tired. Griff even fell asleep on the floor.  Callie decided she would vacuum up the dog hair. I don't even think Griff woke up.  We had a little yard party. There was also some weight lifting going on while drinking purple drank.

9.5

I woke up with the intention of running but I checked the radar and it wasn't looking good for running if I didn't want to run in the rain.  So I putzed around and over an hour later still no rain! Boy was I mad. Then I used the exercise bike for 50 minutes, did abs and stretching and then used the bike again. My total workout was 1:27. Too bad I didn't go for an additional 3 minutes to make it an even 90 minutes!  Poly rested on the bed the first time I was on the bike, but once I started doing abs, she was all up in my grill. She likes to go under my torso when I'm doing planks. 

Then I went outside to do some yard work and just as I stepped outside, it started raining. Well I put some mulch down anyway.   I figured I was all sweaty from using the exercise bike so then the rain would be alright.  Then I showered.

Then it was lunch time and short TV time with Dave. I fell asleep through the last 5 minutes of Kitchen Nightmares UK (on Netflix).  Just when it was over, Jen and I were texting about going shopping. She was already at Kohl's. I better put on makeup and hurry to get there but Poly had come to my lap just as I was waking up from my nap and boy was she cute so it took me a few minutes to finally make her get off of me. 

At Kohl's, I found 1 shirt and Jen found 3 shirts and 1 pair of pants.
Then we went to the mall. After 3 hours at the mall, I only found 2 more shirts and they were the same shirt in different colors.  It was very disappointing. I tried so hard. I wish I found more things.  I haven't been shopping in months so I thought I'd see more things I liked.  I tried really hard to buy patterns but failed. Why are patterns just so ugly? Or why are the clothes in the nice patterns always out of my size? 

1st and 2nd shirt: NY&Co. Originally 26.95 - 40% off. Paid $16.17
3rd: Kohl's. Originally 48. 35% off then 15% off - Paid $26.52
Total spending: $58.86

I need to figure the belt out. I couldn't tie it at the store because it had a tie through it so that the belt wouldn't end up missing.

Loft, Express, Nickel via Famous Footwear

After the mall, I tried to get dinner. I got to Panera at 7:05 and they closed at 7. Then I went to Arby's and they were closed.  So I just went home and we made a frozen pizza.  We watched a little TV, then I watched TV.  Now I'm all caught up on Big Brother. I watched the episodes from when I was in Colorado even though I already saw what happened next since I've been back for awhile.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:14:49 AM - I stayed up too late. I'm even tired. Tomorrow it is going to be rough.
12:32:14 AM - I was about to hit publish on a blog post and go to sleep and while I was scrolling the post, Poly came and got on my lap. stay up later?
04:48:21 PM - Today is flying by. Good and bad. Bad in that I'm not getting as much done as I wanted.
05:40:26 PM - I ate all my food. Dave had 3/4 his pasta left. Too bad I didn't get a second helping of never ending pasta bowl. #OliveGarden
08:12:53 PM - I'm the only one at the gym.
08:36:44 PM - @nuclearliz yup almost the same. Although ice cream is more fun.
08:57:52 PM - just got home. want a snack. it is almost bedtime. sigh.
11:08:23 PM - Oh the rain. I don't want to run in it bit want to run. I should look on the [bright] side 60 degrees and rain is better than the 35 and rain

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

Treadmill Run (9.6.11)

This rain has been really getting me down. I just haven't been in the mood to run in the rain. So today after work I went and ran on the treadmill.  I left work and ate dinner with Dave, then returned to work. I left work for good at 7:30.

I ran at 7.2 mph for 0.5 mi (for a total of 4:20 because of the slow increase at the beginning)
Then I stretched and went over and did some assisted pull-ups just to see where my fitness level at those was at.  In some ways I was better than expected and in some ways worse.  I just need to figure out the best way to decrease the amount of assistance I need.  Do I decrease the assistance and do 6 or 8 instead of 12 or 15? Or do I really decrease it and do 4?  Do I decrease it so that 1 is a struggle and try to get better?  My goal is 0 resistance, but that will be hard because I use the thing like once a month if that. I will try to use it more when I go to the gym.

Then I ran at 8.0 mph for 0.5 mi (for 3:55).  I'm pretty sure that's the first time I ran more than .2 (or maybe less) at 8.0 mph.

(running total = 1 mile and 8:15)

Then I thought about what to do next and ran some high intensity interval training (HIIT). Except I wasn't sure what time intervals to do or what speed. I spent 30 seconds thinking about it.
I ran 3 sets of 9.5 mph for 20 seconds then stop for 20 seconds.  I think this ended up being about .15 mi of running but it is hard to say. I knocked my pen down and it flew off my treadmill so I stopped the thing to get it.

Then I did some more HIIT. Except I don't know if I did enough for it to be considered anything. I'll have to google HIIT a bit after I write this post.  I did 6 sets of 10.0 mph (20 seconds run/20 seconds stop) but had 20 seconds getting up to speed so the first one was a bit long.  I think I had about .4 mi for this.

(running total = 1.55 mi)

OK so I got bored with this so decided to see if I could find an interval programmed thing on the treadmill. I failed but I did something with hills. I want intervals with speed change. I only know how to do this manually. There has to be a way to do it but I don't know how.
I did program 8. It started too slow. Then I upped it to 6.0mph.  At .15 I changed it to 6.5 mph.  Then later 6.6 then later 6.8 then it slowed down and it went slower (like a walk) and then I sped it up at the end because the slow was too slow. In 10 minutes I did 1 mi.

Therefore I did 2.55 miles but only .55 of it was the HIIT.

Apparently I should have had 6-10 reps at HIIT and moderate activity in between instead of stopping, but  Think Pretty Thoughts stops between (example 1 and 2) and that's the only HIIT "research" I did before just now. Oh the Tabata method is 20 seconds sprint to 10 seconds of rest. I didn't even read the entire wiki page and that's the only site I've gone to. I just can't handle running research.

Back in the winter when I ran on the treadmill more I ran at 6.0 mph or 6.6 mph and if I felt like doing a fast interval I did that at 7.2 mph.

Also it pains me not to have any pictures, charts, tables, or graphs in this post.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

09:03:03 AM - Didn't leave to run because of projected rain. Well 45 min later still no rain. Should have gone right away :(
07:13:28 PM - Everywhere is closed. Sucks.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

01:00:12 AM - look at August 18 and check out my dirt mustache http://t.co/JRYL4gB
01:05:54 AM - I did a number on my shoulder and it makes noises like @TENroaches's shoulder does.
01:33:08 AM - @lisafilipek 3 hour naps make it hard to fall asleep.
02:45:09 AM - Hmm. I was debating going to sleep and then my computer puts itself to sleep (or maybe shut itself down). Guess I will go to sleep.
09:09:45 AM - Well I woke up at 7:30. Kelly canceled our run. It made me happy. I want back to sleep until now. And it is probably to hot to run on my own
12:16:35 PM - 3 hours later, graphs are updated. @BodyMediaFIT and weight. http://t.co/4Bylfet Increase in steps recently!
02:24:36 PM - Making bolognese for the first time. Too bad it takes 5 hours.
04:57:06 PM - This weekend all I want to do is nap.
05:16:01 PM - dinner will be done at 6:30 & we'll have too much food... by a lot. This would be a good time to have friends that could impromtu come over
11:12:13 PM - Looks like I'm in need of Color Rotation again so I quit wearing blue everyday. http://t.co/osXK6FX

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:42:03 AM - Oh boy I'm probably staying up too late.
02:01:35 AM - oh boy i stayed up too late.
07:33:01 AM - Oh boy am I tired
09:30:44 AM - 3rd for women. Forgot to stop my timer.
10:15:24 AM - I won a door prize! And right before they drew it I said I want that. http://t.co/DedeGsA
10:17:06 AM - Man now these prizes are better. So much for wanting that cooler.
10:34:01 AM - Over an hour later I got my trophy. http://t.co/l5iaKRU
10:07:35 PM - Well I'm all sunburned. And tired. Just napped for 3 hours.
10:29:54 PM - Isn't it late for fireworks? I just heard some then got out of bed for some. Perfect view.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

5k - September 3, 2011

Today I ran a 5k. I ran it last year. The proceeds go to a local fire department.

The official results are posted. First and second for females were about 3 minutes ahead of me and only 1 second apart.

While starting out, I held back. It was downhill but I know from past experience that I burn myself out.

Since last year the time in my age group that was ahead of me was over 2 minutes ahead of me, I thought for sure this year that I wouldn't even place in my age group.  I get more nervous now before races because of the pressure of placing in my age group. Granted this pressure is only mine and I'm not sure anyone else cares enough about the award and just that I ran and did well.

The course started with about a mile of downhill. It leveled off a few times. It was just a slight grade.  Then it ended covering that same distance so it was a grade going up hill. I was afraid I would die so I held back.  The last 3/4 of a mile I was passing people. I figured that must have been good. I could have done better. I wish someone was pushing me more.

I did better than placing in my age group and for the FIRST TIME I placed overall for females.  My time was nowhere near what I thought I'd have to get to place for females.  I just looked at the 2010 results and 3rd for females was 23:08. I was nowhere near that. I think it was a bit hotter for a September race this time around. I mean it got in the upper 90s today.  I did 47 seconds better than last year.  (Based on screen shots from iMapMyRun my splits were 7:59, 9:00, 8:57, 0:47)

I also hit a new personal best for a race. Granted it is only 4 seconds faster than my old personal best and it is a minute away from my goal. I could have probably pushed more if the other females weren't so far ahead.  The 4th place female was a few hundred yards behind me or less. I passed her up at about the halfway point.

During the race people passed me up and I told them good job or to keep it up. I didn't get a single response from someone. Everyone seemed so rude. I don't understand it. It's a small local race and nobody seemed friendly at all. When I was neck and neck with the 3rd place female and would tell her good job she would just try to pull ahead and get a step ahead of me or so.

The last walkers had cop cars and ambulances following them up the street. That seemed embarrassing to me.

Dave went to the race with me.  I remember this was one of the worst races for getting awards given out. I was right. It took over an hour after I was finished before they started with awards. At least they started with females.

The elevation always seems to mess up on these watches.  Does anyone else have that problem?

My new trophy makes my last trophy look so small.

8.15 - Day 2 in Colorado

Timmy slept with 3 dogs. He had fun. Then we hung out there talking about what we'd do for the day. 

The view walking to breakfast

We went to breakfast with Griff.  I got French Toast and couldn't eat them all. I didn't realize at the time, but later I sure wish I had the rest of that food in me. 

Then we headed to the Sand Dunes. They were a few hours away. I didn't quite know what to expect. They were much larger than I thought. I didn't really know what to expect at all. I didn't google the dunes in advance or I would have known. 

Even though I wanted to quit on the way up, I did not. I made it to the top. It was very hard to climb them. I'd get out of breath like crazy. But also my fear of heights made me breathe weird because I was scared the entire time. I guess that also impacts the feeling of being out of breath.  Sometimes I'd have to take deep breaths before moving on. I tried to just look at the ground and not look around at how high I was.

Coming down from the top (note Callie's method to hold her sandals)

Also it was the middle of the afternoon. After we were up at the top and on our way down, Callie said that people usually go in the morning because it is so hot.  Also in the morning the sand isn't nearly as hot.  It seemed like other people who made it to the top had gear with them and hiking boots.

The second thing that was hard for me to climb the dunes was that I don't normally wear sandals. I didn't pack good sandals. I didn't realize how hard walking on sand would be or I might not have worn the sandals but once you set out to climb the dunes, there's no going back.  The sandals were rough to walk in and hurt my feet but then walking directly on the sand was hard too. The sand was so hot most of the time.  I'm betting walking in sandals isn't rough for most people but I rarely wear sandals and when I do, it is on good terrain. Now at first I thought the sand was just hot on me but it was hot for Callie too and she walks barefoot outside all the time.  She even runs barefoot. She walks across rocks in her bare feet and it hurts just looking at her. I don't even walk barefoot in my house. I can't handle the crumbs on the floor. I definitely don't walk barefoot outside. I have some pairs of shoes that have labels in them that I cannot handle the texture of and need an insole over it so I can wear the shoes.  It sure sounds like I need to toughen up my feet.

At the top of the dunes I looked at my feet closely for the first time and I had blisters. One blister already had the skin flapping.  At the top we heard one of the couples telling another group how they just got engaged.  Also at the top, I sat down. I couldn't handle the walking. I even butt scooted to the edge to go back down. When I put the sandals on quickly on the way down, I got blood on them. My blisters did not like the sandals anymore... or ever.

Now it might not sound like it was fun because it was scary and I got blisters. But it was a great experience and once you are done, it made it even better. I made it to the top! Granted I bet a lot of people make it to the top but it is probably not their first days at a high elevation. I didn't even realize until later but we got sunburn. I got a line from my BodyMedia fit armband.  Timmy got a burn too He had a line from his sleeves.  Once we noticed the burn, Callie mentioned the sun screen that was in the car. Whoops.

Timmy didn't wear sandals up the dunes but wore shoes. I think that was better in the long run. He did get lots of sand in them.  On the way down, he did not stop to clean out the sand and he ended up with a blister at his heel but at least he wasn't in as much pain the entire way up and down.

Oh, my sandals broke on the way up and down.  The decorative edge or whatever you want to call it kept coming off. It was just a piece of rubber from the entire edge. These broken sandals impacted my attire for the rest of the stay because I brought 2 semi-casual dresses that I would need to wear the sandals with. So I guess I wouldn't be wearing those dresses.  The dresses were only if we went out to dinner or something but I also accounted for them in total number of outfits I brought.

So on the way up and down, I was behind Callie and Timmy. They always had to wait for me. I felt so out of shape. Heck I'm a runner so I should be able to walk. I like to pretend I have excuses like being afraid of heights and my feet hurting, but I probably was just out of shape.

The view from the dunes parking lot

Dunes, Driving, etc

On our way home we stopped at the hot spring.  They had a hot pool, normal pool, and then the hot spring.  We had to test out them all. It was my first time at a hot spring.  They had different spots and some were cold and some hot and some warm.  Sometimes we'd find a warm one but it had a hot spot. Then timmy would go trying to "fix" it so it wasn't cold in spots or super hot in spots but he always made it worse.  So then we were forced to try out a new spot. Too bad we'd repeat the same issues with Timmy "fixing" the temperature.  The first one we were in was OK but it wasn't that deep. Once I dug out a little hole for my butt when I was lying down, it worked well. We joked a lot about doing that.

We were at the hot spring until after dark.  We went to Mexican for dinner. I had enchiladas for the 2nd time in my life. They were pretty good.

We went back to Callie's.  Later we went out and went in a bar and left the bar immediately. Then we went to a new bar and left that immediately.  We headed home after that. Then Griff came over and visited.  Man I was tired. I wasn't used to the time zone change plus they stay up until 1 their time and I was used to staying up until 11 our time.... so 1 felt like 3.  Oh boy was it rough staying up.

Attire for breakfast. At the dunes, I wore capri athletic shorts and no jacket.

Jacket: Costco
Shirt: Loft
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Brooks via some online store.

It was hard to figure out how to dress there.  It was 40 in the morning or cooler.  Then it was 70 at the hottest point but 70 degrees felt a lot hotter there when the sun was beating down on you.

Now tell me isn't Colorado so pretty?

A Day's Worth of Twitter

01:24:24 PM - I got variety at Yum today. Vanilla and French vanilla. Talk about variety. Then butterfinger topping.
04:10:43 PM - Looks like I have a virus. If you receive a tweet/DM from me about a funny photo, please ignore it. Sorry!
04:12:49 PM - @reedaboutme it also had poor grammar. Silliness.
04:29:46 PM - @reedaboutme at least you tell them. Some places don't or wait months instead of the 1 week they promised.
11:20:52 PM - eating donuts. they seem like a good midnight snack the day before a 5k.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

8.29 - Up Late

Shoes: Hot Cakes from The Shoe Dept (2005)
Shirt: Ann Taylor Outlet
Skirt: Express
Necklace: Lia Sophia

I had a normal day at work but man is my desk messy. I even resorted to storing things on my lap.

I went to Body Pump. I kind of didn't want to go. I haven't gone in a month.  Then I re-convinced myself to go because I knew I'd be sore and didn't want to be sore so close to my race. Well we did super sets and it was the first time I was doing this release. It was rough.  Squats and then lunges was hard.  Also chest then triceps was hard.  Back then shoulders was hard.  It also screws with your perception of how much class is left when we do things in the wrong order.

After class I talked to Nick a little. I was starving. Then I went to Target. Well I bought some stuff we needed plus Hostess donuts. I ate 10 on my way to pick up Pizza Hut.  The guy at the drive through even commented about my donuts.  Then I ate 5 cheesy breadsticks on the way home.  I was starving. I wished I would have had a protein bar in my purse but they were at my desk at work or at home. Sigh. I never have them in the right places.

During and after dinner was some TV. Not much because I didn't get home until after 7:30.  But then I started emailing Callie and she was emailing me back and before you know it, it was 2:30 AM. Oh boy. Then I get to bed and can't even fall asleep. I'm so wired from all the emailing.  Many emails back and forth with substantial text = my love.

I don't even know how I made it up so late because I was so tired waking up in the morning and then I was tired all day at work. I just love emails.

Friend Friday: Trends

This week Katy wanted us to talk about Fall trends. Name your five favorite fall trends and how you plan to wear them this season.  I've done this with Spring and Summer trends so far.  If you know me you know I don't even know what trends there are so I have to do some research before completing this post.

1. Bright pants - Because I have red pants that are my favorite and I like when things I have fit the current trend
2. Color Blocking - This was a trend before but who am I to say it can't be a trend for multiple seasons.  I already do this so I'm set. 
3. Structured Silhouettes - I like the structure and like when it's in style. I find it more flattering on me. 
4. Graphic Stripes - I already like stripes so why not get some more. Plus stripes is just a slight upgrade for me from a solid. 
5. Plaid - OK it was some kind of plaid but after so many links that's the best one and it was on an earlier one. I have one plaid shirt. Maybe I'll get more. 

There are some trends I won't be doing 

1. Leather Skirts - just isn't work appropriate and I have no life outside of work.
2. Chic Ponchos - Just can't see myself buying them
3. High slits - Again not work appropriate
4. Mid-calf skirts - They are so not flattering on me. 

What trends are you into this fall? 

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:42:19 AM - I'm spending far too long going through pictures from vacation just to make collage and still am ending up with too many pictures.
02:06:43 AM - I need to go to bed. 9 more minutes and I'm going to bed for sure. but Poly is too cute and on me.
02:24:18 AM - @BodyMediaFIT how often do you run there? Lately I'm there 3 times a week.
08:12:08 PM - I wait all day hoping to get emails. The longer the better.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

8.28 - Busy Busy

What an out take!

Dress: Loft (came with a belt that was the wrong size so I used my white one instead of the black one)
Belt: Target
Shoes: Connie via Famous Footwear
Necklace: Lia Sophia

None of my pictures are that good. I'm using a different remote because I never brought my better one downstairs after I got back from vacation.

I started out the day with a run. Then my parents were coming. I had talked to my mom prior to my shower so I wasn't dressed in clothes for the day yet. She said she was wearing her dress she wore to church so I dressed up too.

After I got off the phone with my mom, I hurried and showered even though I wanted to go to the track to run 2 more miles because I needed to get 7 miles in per my training plan and only got 5 (only ever get 5).  After my shower I ran to Giant Eagle to buy birthday cake.  I got home seconds before my family showed up.  Then we talked a minute and then headed to Houlihan's so my dad could use his birthday coupon.

Well we got to Houlihan's right before 2 and they close at 2 to stop the brunch and then reopen again at 3.  So we had to kill time to find somewhere else to eat.  We decided to kill time.  We went to Costco and got some free samples and maybe bought something.  Then we went to Home Depot and got caps for our permanent stakes for the property markers.

Then it was back to Houlihan's.

After Houlihan's, we came home, got Timmy set up to start copying pictures from my computer to his from our vacation and I went with my parents to Sam's Club.  (I changed into jeans and comfy shoes. My pointy shoes weren't so good for all the shopping we did earlier.) I can't believe the one in Butler was only 25-30 minutes away. I always figured Butler was further and I didn't even know there was a Sam's there. I don't have a membership or anything so I'd have to go with my parents.  We were looking for landscape lights and french bread pizzas and they didn't have either.  But then I saw some patio chairs and a small table and impulse bought them. I figured our patio is big and we could use the little table to store food or something so now I have something little out there.

After we got home, we put together the table. Then my dad asks me if we have a shovel. He starts digging out the Holly. I've been telling him for awhile I have to dig it out, but I was never getting around to it. Well we got around to it now. It was hard to dig out.  Also I raked up a ton of straw that was over all the new grass we had. I still have to do the other side of the yard and everything in the back hillside plus more on the first side. It should have been raked up sooner but when I was in Colorado it didn't rake itself.  We pulled a couple weeds, too. The weeds were 3 feet high. Oops

We got done just about dark and we didn't even finish digging out the wire that was around the Holly ball in the ground.  We actually stopped after I the shovel slipped and I got covered head to toe in dirt. Then we came in and chilled out. Had a snack of chips and then played with Poly.  Then it was almost 9 and my mom was mad she wasn't taping some special about the Last Heart Attack so then they stayed and watched that. It wasn't over until 10. Boy am I glad I wasn't out that late. I was so tired. There would have been no way I could have driven home and made it home w/o having to stop and nap.   After my family left we watched Big Brother. I was so tired. I did a lot, but still didn't get any laundry done or any housework done over the weekend. The weekend just disappeared.