MY BFF

Is it weird to have a one year old BFF? (Or to still use the acronym BFF?) We spend so much time together that sometimes it feels like she is my mini-me. Dan thought so too when he bought a matching track outfit for Karina. That may be taking things a bit too far. Here is how else are we similar.


-We both eat an avocado* for lunch. This is especially funny when we go to Atlanta Bread and order the California Avocado on nine grain. I can't do the half & half because she eats too much. People usually stop and stare at a baby shoveling in the green stuff. Some comments we have heard include:

"How do you get that baby to eat so well?"


Me: I take her to Atlanta Bread.


"Do you have her on a special vegetable diet or something?"

Me: No, she eats hot dogs** too. (She's got to have some daddy in her).


-We are both into shoes, especially shiny ones. Karina hates to get dressed but she loves her some shoes.




-We both like to eat every 3 hours.





-Lately I like my nap too. Especially the afternoon siesta.





-We both like to unwind with a book before bed. Sandra Boynton is our favorite baby author.



-We both resist doing our hair. Sometimes it is just better to leave it wild.

-As you can see, we both love just a bite of chocolate.

-Last and probably the weirdest one. When General Hospital comes on, Karina will stop what she is doing and watch it with me. (Seriously). This proves she is mine.

















*Anything green will do. Other favorites include peas, brussel sprouts, and broccoli.

**Notice I didn't say chicken fingers.

thankING

On Sunday I ran the ING half-marathon. To celebrate I gave my tinfoil blanket and all my layers away in the name of clothing the homeless. (If I could I would run in my underwear - I get so hot, even in 40 degree rain).

On behalf of accepting the above medal, I would like to thank:

1. Pam: The 51 year-old stranger who befriended me, led me to a corral,* and ran the first three miles with me. I am thanking her because she could tell I was a newbie and, since there was no organization whatsoever by the race officials, she told me where to go. Also, I tend to run the first three miles super slow, and this former marathon runner didn't exactly let me dawdle. On mile three, as if on cue, she stopped to take off a layer and told me she would catch up. I never saw her again but she will live on in this blog. (Afterward, I wondered if she was looking for a way to ditch me).

2. My husband Dan: Where do I begin? For putting up with my runs, my expensive Asics I had to have, and my 5:30 am wake-up call. Especially for getting the baby and walking downtown to Centennial. (This will later turn into running the full marathon with a baby bjorn). Very thoughtfully booking a hotel at the Marriott Renaissance and making a weekend out of it, complete with power pasta dinner and breakfast brunch.** Heck, the suite even had its own private pool.

3. The high school soccer/cross country star who greeted me at the finish line: For reminding me how dorky I was. He probably finished an hour ago.

4. The homeless individuals who chased me down Spring Street at 6:00 am. I guess I got my warm-up in. That's what I get for forgoing MARTA and making my own way to the race.

5. God: Most importantly, for giving me the strength and health to run at all.

A Runner's Prayer:

God, Give me courage to run the race. Help me to persevere as you taught us. Grant me the strength to finish strong. Honor me with your presence on my journey. Allow me to be a GraceRunner this day.

*It was the wrong corral, but I learned no one cares. And no one follows any of the rules - like "no ipod" - anyways. (Apparently there is a schism among serious runners about the use of an ipod.)

**Breakfast disgusts me but obviously everything was looking good this morning.

Seven Interesting/Weird/Random Facts

In this post, I promise to respect my husband's wishes and not to mention Dan and chicken fingers. Instead I will just make fun of myself. I have many habits (too numerous to mention) that would qualify on such a list, including sitting down to write them down in a blog on the internet.

Seven Interesting/Weird/Random Facts About Me

1. I like to do laundry. No, seriously I like it. Especially sheets, pillowcases or anything that touches my face. I like things that are warm, soft, and most importantly - clean. Call it OCD or a cute quirk but this is how I indulge myself as a SAHM. Unfortunately, it does not translate well into doing Dan's underwear and socks.

2. When I floss, I use half the dispenser. I don't have an explanation for this. It is sort of like the impulse to take too much toilet paper, which I also do.

3. I can speed read, which came in handy in grad school but is an annoying habit when simply reading for pleasure. I love to read spy novels.

4. I worked for the CIA before becoming a SAHM. It was an interesting transition to say the least.

5. Karina and I are famous for being in DHC catalogs. (You can find us here). Dan and I scored two trips to San Fran this way. Apparently, I will do anything for a vacation, including writing in to companies telling them how much I love their products.

6. I am a born again Christian. Yeah!

7. I have aspirations of writing a novel. So far I have a blog.