I'm ba-a-ack!

*tap-tap*

Is this thing on?

Wha?! Bethie blogging again? Crazy!

Ok, it's been a while. First of all, unless some random froggie heads my way, the Frog Chronicles are disappearing. That's right...I've found my prince and I'm getting married in June. Wedding plans are underway (know any good photographers?).

Last January, I was injured and had to take 2011 off from running. It sucked. I was fat and depressed. However, I've dropped my injury weight and am back to running again. Fingers crossed that my fiancé will let me run a marathon on our honeymoon. ;)

Still teaching, although sadly it's Science and not Art.

Seamus the Wondercat has been (unhappily) joined by Duke, an 85 lb. Weimarweiner.

Hmmm... Can I really sum up almost 2 years in a few sentences? I guess, if you have questions you can ask, it will give me something to blog about!

Oops!

I've gotten behind in my blogging. I haven't even kept my training log up to date. I think it's that whole switching classrooms thing.

...maybe my New Years Resolution should be to blog more!

Stay Tuned!

I know, it's been a while! I have some updates and some new features coming... stay tuned!

DONE!!

On Monday, I took my National Board Exam!! (It sucked--that's all I have to say about that.) And I'm done!! I won't know the results until November, but until then, it's time to play!
WOO!

Cool!

Yeah!! My fridge and my beer are now chilling nicely!!

With Jack's over the phone direction, I took the back panel off and found that the fan on the compressor motor was not moving. After digging around for the right tools (Finally!! I used a refrigeration ratchet!! My parents will appreciate the wonder of that one--I used to assemble them when I was a kid.) I got the fan motor off and the other Jack came by to help. We ran to the appliance repair place and one of the very nice guys there took the motor off the carriage. I had what I needed written on my hand, and all the guys in the shop made fun of me for not using paper (Hello! I did use paper--I just forgot said paper at home and had to call Jack to get the info again :D). They also cleaned and re-attached the fan and then rewired the plug. We got back (I yelled at Jack for the total cockblock) and got the motor back in.

Total cost: $51.75.

Insert "Bethie is awesome dance" here.

Ah, I think I'll drink a nice cold beer to celebrate. :)

(oh, and P.S. I also fixed the sprayer on the sink. Oh yeah!)

Still, Not Cool!

Update: My fridge is still not cold, but I think I know the problem. It's the motor attached to the fan in the back bottom of the fridge.

New mission: Get motor out. Figure out where to get new motor. Replace motor.

I figure if the fridge really is broken, I can't break it any more than it already is!

You know you're crazy when...

I was out this very gorgeous afternoon for a training run when I happened to run past my High School track coach. We chatted for a second. I told him that I had a 9 minute PR on Sunday at the Chicago Distance Classic 1/2 Marathon. I also mentioned that Julia had also completed her first 1/2 Marathon and was thinking of running her first marathon this fall.

He proceeded to tell me that we were getting a little crazy, complete with the finger twirl by the side of his head. I informed him that we blame him for it.

You know you're an insane runner person when your H.S. track coach tells you that you're crazy. :)

Resolutions...

Well, more than half the year is gone...let's see how we're doing with the ol' resolutions:

1) Give up pop: Not too bad...if nothing else is an option, I'll go for Diet Coke, but I've been good! At least I think I've kicked the full on Diet Coke addiction!
2) Complete the Disney Half Marathon: Give me a month and a half, I'm on it! I'm registered, the airfare is booked...I can see the medals!! I'm also registered for the 5k the day before!
3) Try to be vegetarian during lent: Check! I've been pretty much a veg for most of the year due to health reasons. Doc says I can have meat a few times a month...woo-hoo!
4) Complete the Shamrock Shuffle: Unofficially, check!! I forgot my chip on race day...but I did it anyway! With an unofficial pr time!
5) Complete the Flying Pig Marathon: Total check!! It was a beast of a marathon where almost everything went wrong, but I have the piggy medal!! I'm now in training for the Chicago Marathon and very seriously concidering Philly... (can you say 'addicted'?)
6) Complete the Soldier Field 10 Mile Race: Check! I finished on the fifty! PRed, got the medal and drank my beer!
7) Learn to swim so that I can complete a Triathlon: Check squared!! I'm even registered for a third tri this weekend!
8) Repeat the Chicago Distance Classic: Give me a month, and I'm there! I've even dragged Super Julia along for the ride on this one!! (She's a rockstar, by the way)
9) Earn a CARA Participation Award: I'm gonna be honest, I'm not certain this one's going to happen. I made this goal thinking that the CDC or the Marathon would be on the list of races that count. Not so much. However, I am a pacer for CARA's Marathon Training Program as well as a pacer for the R2R 20 miler. If that's not participating, I don't know what is!!

6 out of 9 done! And two more in the works...8 out of 9 isn't bad. Maybe y'all will cut me some slack on the last one...unless you're gonna volunteer to run some races with me!! (In which case, I say BRING IT ON!!)

Much better and very blessed!

For those of you checking in, today was much better. I'm crazy sore from my tumble yesterday. There's a couple of spots on my side that hurt to touch... some people have asked me if I broke a rib. Sleeping/laying on my right side is not on the to do list for the day. How do you know if you cracked a rib? If I did, they'll knit, right? I'm not gonna die, yeah? (Reassurances please!!)

In other news, the kids were asking me about my shoes today:
"Are you wearing your new shoes today?"--"Nope, not today."---"Why not!?!?!"--"Because they didn't match my outfit."--"Oh." (5th grade girl)

"How did they know your size?"--"I have no idea, you'll have to ask Mr. C." (7th grade boy)

and a favorite:
"I asked Mr. C why he brought you shoes, and he said 'Sometimes a nice lady just needs a new pair of shoes'". (What woman wouldn't agree with that logic?!?!) (8th grade boy)

The 4th graders were super cute in the hall today (still concerned about my shoes) one of the boys leaned in my doorway and said (as if it was a million years ago, and it's some sort of inside joke between us): "Ms. B, remember when you didn't have any shoes?" -- "Yep, I remember."

All I can say, is I'm so blessed.

The Day After

So everything this morning went as well as could be expected. I hate IVs and the butt-baring hospitals gowns. But I guess I can take some pleasure in knowing that at some point I probably mooned my doctor in the process. I even have lovely pictures and a note for a return to work on Wednesday (but let's face it, I'll probably go back tomorrow anyway).

On a side note, I have a new addition for the Frog Chronicles. As the nurse was giving me the sedatives, some guy in scrubs asked me if I was single and if he could get my phone number. Are you kidding me? That's the time I want some guy to chat me up...while I'm laying on a gurney in a hospital gown that lets my ass hang out. Are you serious?!?! I'm quite certain my "Fuck off" face isn't quite as effective while under the influence of intravenous drugs. Isn't it in the Hippocratic oath somewhere--"Don't hit on patients."? UGH!!

Lots O' Posts

I’ve been a busy girl!!

Here’s what I’ve been up to this past week--Enjoy!

An Eventful Thursday

It’s been nice visiting the family in sunny Florida. It hasn’t been too warm… but it sure beats Chicago weather!

I’ve been doing the usual, shopping with Mom (fyi—if you’re ever in the Palm Beach area, there’s this Mexican restaurant where they make guacamole table side…it’s amazing!!—Mom, what’s the name of the place??), hanging out with Jack (check out his Christmas Train display!)





visiting Grandma and Grandpa, going to prison....

That’s right, yesterday, instead of being in a bar, I was behind bars.

My mother has been a CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) puppy raiser. Since her last dog, Tonka, was taken in to the program, she has been training inmates and their puppies in the Sheriff’s Drug Farm Boot Camp Facility.

Thursday morning, I was up bright and early to go to the prison to help her with the days class. Sergeant Harris was there to escort us to the space used for the classroom. Mom leads a class of 8 inmates, and 4 dogs. Evenly divided with men and women, I helped the prisoners work the dogs and practice the commands. Sergeant Harris even took me to see the woman’s dormitory.

It was an interesting experience. It's definately run like a boot camp, but all the prisoners were quite respectful (ma'am, yes, ma'am!). There was some confusion with one of the guards, apparently, he thought I was in High School (good, grief!! I'm a grown-up damn it!!). I was not allowed to take pictures in the prison, but here’s pictures of two of the dogs, Tash (black lab) and Solis (golden mix).





After a morning of puppy class at the prison, we had dinner at Kee, my favorite restaurant in Palm Beach!

Here’s Grandpa, happy to have his scotch (Johnny Walker Black, easy on the rocks--can any one find any ice in his glass? I sure can't!).





Gram with her coffee.






Me and the Grandparents.

Hi, Mom!





Jack and I.

The trip was short this time, but it was nice to see everyone!

Christmas Surprises

After the game, I headed home to pack for Christmas. I was flying to Florida to surprise my mom for Christmas. I only got about an hour of sleep before I had to hop in a cab and head to O’Hare.

What got me through the day?

Thank goodness for caffeine!




Mom was definitely surprised! I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her speechless!





After the surprise, I had some time to freshen up, and then headed to Christmas dinner with the family!

Apples Galore!

First of all, I have to say, Dave you were right. I really do feel that I need 15,000 80’s songs at the click of a wheel…’cuz I traded my 20GB iPod in for the 60GB. Fortunately, I have an understanding boyfriend who doesn’t mind tagging along to the Apple Store. I haven’t made much of a dent in my CD collection, but as I type I am converting 4GB to the pod!



And speaking of apples, (nice segway, huh?) today I went apple picking! Chris took me with him and his mother. I actually had a great time! I have to say it was better than I thought. Not that I expected to have an awful time or anything…it was simply better than I expected.

Why was I so unsure of this experience going in? Well, first of all I have bad allergies. The thought of being out in the country makes my eyes water a little! (Ya think I’m a hard-core city girl?) Then top that off with random farm animals the allergy factor goes way up. Secondly, I was worried it would be too much like work. I mean, I go to a store for produce, I don’t harvest it myself. I hate gardening. I did make an effort this year with a green pepper plant in a pot on the back deck, but that was a big step for me. Farmer-Bethie I am not. I was worried this was a clever scam that the orchard ran to get people to harvest the apples for them in the name of fun (Tom Sawyer white-washing the fence anyone?).

I did have an awesome time! There was a tractor ride, you could eat all the apples you wanted in the orchard, it was fun! They also had fresh donuts and pony rides for the kids. Honestly, the only negative was the port-a-potty experience.

Who knew, a city girl could actually have fun out in the country? I can’t wait for next year!

Malfunctions, and iPods, and Man Boobs…Oh, My!

First of all I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. I’ve been having technical difficulties…that, unfortunately, have not been fully resolved. The problem? Every time I try to open any website in AOL, a warning for low memory and hard drive space pops up with the suggestion to close one or more windows.

Well, bite me. The only window I have open is AOL and I have plenty of hard drive space, thank-you-very-much.

I have no idea what to do. The all-knowing Dave had checked my computer and has given it a clean bill of health. So, I got nothing. I’d love any suggestion that I haven’t tried, ‘cuz this blows. :( (See, Dave, it’s not a joke! It’s posted for the world to see!). As a result, the limited internet keeps it difficult for me to blog.

On a brighter note…I got an iPod!! I’m so excited! I’ve been wanting one forever! For those of you who have been following, I did get the 20GB. Let’s face it, do I really need 15,000 random songs at a moments notice? Probably not. I figure I can use about 5 GBs, and by the time I completely load it up, something smaller/faster/cooler will come along, and even if it does get filled I can always manage the music on the play lists. I’m sure once I’m well versed in how to use the iPod, I’ll have more to say about it.

One other random thing I’d like to rant about… Why is it that when you see naked people in public it’s never the ones who should be naked?

I was leaving one a diner after picking up my laptop from Dave and there in the parking lot was a large older gentleman (read Chris Farley size but 30 years older with bigger man boobs—I mean he had bigger boobs than me!!) standing in the parking lot with out his shirt.

EW!! What makes it necessary for someone to change clothes in a diner parking lot?!?!?!

Is it all that difficult to either:
a) change in your SUV or
b) use the diner restroom?
I think not.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had issues with naked folk. When I was studying on foreign term, I accidentally ended up at a nude beach. I didn’t know it was a nude beach until I got there, I’m no rocket scientist, but I figured it out rather quickly. Now don’t get too excited, I didn’t get naked. I’m just not that kind of girl! :) I did what every self-conscious, red-blooded, American would do: I found the fattest, ugliest, woman (who shouldn’t have been naked in the first place) at the beach and laid down right next to her.

Hey, don’t judge me! You know you’d do the same!

I don’t think that I’m a prude, I just don’t get most cases of public nakedness. It’s like in college, I wonder why guys streak in the winter. Isn’t there shrinkage issues? Wouldn’t the effects of cold be bad for your reputation?

Sure, sometimes nakedness is fun. Random flashings, high quality streakers, the Abercrombie and Fitch catalog… there’s a time and a place for nakedness. Sometimes, it’s just not a good thing. And if you disagree, all I have to say is that both Dave and I were thankful that we hadn’t eaten dinner.

Forecast? Warm and Sunny!

Well, I’m back, thanks to Dr. Dave! Yeah for people with more technological skills than I! (check out his blog at www.daveblog.org) Unfortunately, my AOL is still not working, but at least my computer is cootie free.

In the time since my last postings I’ve had a birthday. And while I don’t care to discuss my age, I will give an enthusiastic “Happy Birthday to ME!” J I have to mention one of the best gifts I received. While I don’t want to sound ungrateful for any of the others, this one item had me almost in tears.

Any guesses as to what it was?

The one thing I was most excited about? Chris, my so awesome boyfriend, got me an autographed picture of none other than Tom Skilling!

For those of you who are not Chicago natives or active watchers of WGN news at noon and nine, Tom Skilling is WGN’s chief meteorologist. For more info check out: http://wgntv.trb.com/news/wgntv-skilling-tombio,0,1377504.story?coll=wgntv-weather-subnav

I totally have non-sexual crush on him.

What is a non-sexual crush you may ask? Well, you know what a regular, run of the mill sexual crush is, right? Well, I guess the non-sexual one is the same thing except you’re just not attracted to the person. You know you have one. (Come on, comment! Share!! Tell us who it is!)

So, I can continue by saying: I LOVE TOM SKILLING!!

Seriously, I was totally geekin’ out when I opened the present. I saw the back of the picture frame (yes, Chris was sweet enough and supportive of my obsession to frame it for me) and when I flipped it over, I went nuts! You would have thought I was a pre-pubescent girl at a Backstreet Boys concert. Tom actually personalized it! Tom knows that I have a birthday in September!! I was practically crying I was so exited!!! Sadly, I have to report, I was not permitted to take Tom out to the bar that night.

Why do I love Tom Skilling so much? I have no idea. Maybe because he’s just a cute old man. Possibly because it’s clear that he truly loves his job and seems to be excited about isobars and front lines. Maybe because he’s been doing the weather at WGN since before I was born. Whatever the reason, Tom Skilling totally rocks! And now, I have a lovely framed, autographed picture of my favorite weather person and official non-sexual crush of my very own! (ah, bliss!)