The Brooks Blister

Here she is. Hawt, right?

Finally! Spring has made its way to Nebraska! We have been suffering through a never-ending winter that just couldn't release its grip on us! The snow came down, the sun would melt half of it, the wind would pick up and boom! Black ice. It would snow again, more sun, melt melt melt, and now, finally, we are basking in sunshine and heat wave temps reaching 55 :)

And what does all of that beautiful no-wind weather call for, you ask? Why, an outdoor run, of course. I have never been a runner (more of the cycling type) but last year, I put my mind to it and started down this footloose and fancy journey. I got into a groove of a couple miles here and there, a few fun 5k's with friends found their way into my summer weekend schedule and all of a sudden I felt like Forrest Gump. Ok...well, maybe not quite, but come on, applause please!

So what did I go and decide to do this year? A freaking half marathon. What the heck, Sarah. Do you really think this is a good idea. 13.1 miles of pavement. Your shins, your ankles, your lungs - they will collapse, you will faint! Those are the bleak and mean things that the little cycling devil on my shoulder says to me. My beautiful Trek 1.2 WSD is calling my name - I want you back, the seat is warm and waiting for you. Remember me? You can get 70 miles done here and still feel like living. Didn't I hear you say you wanted to die the other day after you ran 6? Yeah, yeah, shut it, Trek. I am doing this thing and you can't stop me.

Ok, back to the weather and my glorious outdoor run. Let me just air this grief right now - I hate treadmills. I think they are one of the sources of all evil (along with clowns and gluten) and I feel like I'm going to fall off every time I try and run. That doesn't go so well with my geographical location. Nebraskans should like treadmill running, we have to do it 3-4 months a year. Well screw that, I would rather run in snow (no wind, please!) than get my buns on a death machine.

The run was great, I am so in love with my Brooks Pureflow 2's. But I would totally be more in love if the right shoe didn't give me this awkward blister on the inside of my soul. Like clockwork, every time, at 3.5 miles bam! Blister is back. This thing is ginormous and huge and gross by now. I just love the shoes, though. They are lightweight, it feels like I have pillows surrounding my feet (I'm a princess with a pea, one might say) and they are hot pink and black. So, finally, I took them into our local running store, a fantastic place, The Running Company (look it up, you won't regret it) and told them my situation. Expecting to just get some advice like "get thicker socks" or "use some mole skin" they just plum surprised the heck out of me. "Yeah, that should not be happening. We'll just give you a brand new pair and send these ones back explaining that they are a defective pair." OH MY GOSH! Can we say best customer service ever! I was blown away and their service blew me right out the door with my brand new pair already on my feetsies!

Now I can't wait to run that next 6, 8, 10 and finally...13.1!!

Slainte for the Irish Bride!

Celebrating and toasting friends is one of my favorite pastimes. I don't care if it's a simple celebration of a productive day at work, or as exciting as my St. Pat's weekend of celebrating my friend Q's last few weeks as a single woman. I am always down for a toast and some dinner, drinks, laughs and hilarious antics with my girlfriends! As you scroll down, you will see some of the crazy things that happened the night we celebrated Q's Bachelorette in true Irish style, St. Pat's weekend, obviously.

We started with an array of snacks at her adorable downtown loft apartment, all color coordinated for the occasion in orange, green and white. Orange peppers, cauliflower, green peppers, hummus, apples and oranges started us off on a right note, which was quickly followed by your choice of Jameson and ginger, Guiness, Harp, or your usual lemonade and UV. Perfect way to get a party started. We went off and enjoyed a delish dinner at Jackson Street Tavern, where we surprised the bride-to-be with an ode to her via the piano man. Unfortunately, his range was not extensive and he ended up serenading her to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Why, you ask? We have no idea.

Our night continued to, where else, The Dubliner!! One of my favorite haunts in the Old Market, any given night, on St. Pat's it's even better! A live band entertaining us with Irish drinking songs, dance ballads and jovial sing-a-longs had the crowd roarin' and the beer and whisky flowin'. A couple of Irish Car Bomb shots and whiskey sours later and some of us were rolling on the floor. No, literally, I was on the floor. Now, hold your horses, this was not by choice. I was actually somewhat stalked by this dude in dental school who is apparently sweet on me, much to my chagrin. Hilarity ensued including him on the floor kissing my feet in apology and me having an entourage of three 40 year old body guards. This was a crazy night.

We left the pub early, right before things got really wild and more of us ended up with our rears on the ground and headed back to Q's apartment. Little did she know that waiting for her in the spare bedroom was something no party is complete without...a pinata! Took her a few good swings, but she showed that shamrock papier-mache who was boss. To end the night, we had a couple more drinks of Jameson and turned on a movie. Non other than, Leap Year. The perfect Irish romantic comedy to end the perfect bachelorette party evening.

Can't wait for April 20 to celebrate a beautiful and loving marriage!

Me with the beautiful and fun bride, one of my dear friends! She sure loved sporting those glasses ;)

Q, completely embarrassed that we had the piano man serenade her. Maybe it would have been better if he would have actually played a song that related to the situation at hand. Somewhere Over the Rainbow didn't quite cut it.

Although this peach isn't a part of our group, I couldn't resist adding a photo of this gem of an outfit.

One of my favorites, A, came up from KC for the occasion! And of course, we got photo bombed. Typical.

The bride-to-be having such a great night with friends out celebrating!

Irish Car Bomb shots! Slainte!

The curly crew that rolls with Q. Two are sisters and one is just some really cool chick who has the same kind of hair.

Here it is...the bride smashing her good luck pinata covered in lingerie! 

Just a fun pic stitch of some favorite moments from the night! 

Wednesday's Lesson - be thankful

I have such happiness in life. My friends who are there with me to laugh until our stomachs hurt and smile through the painful tears, my family who supports and loves me no matter what and the talent and strength that God has given me. Even with all of these sources of happiness in life, I find myself wanting and seeking more. Should I move? Am I on the right path? Do I need a new journey? Why is life so hard? Then, I take a moment and close my eyes to take a deep breath and say thank you and think about all of the people in the world who don't have a place to live, are unsure of where their next meal is coming from and don't have a friend or family member to turn to.

So here is my lesson for the day. Sometimes, others around you are going to get things that you want. That is life. You need to stand up for yourself and ask for what you want. But, be reasonable and smart about it. Just because you ask for it doesn't mean that you're going to get the answer that you want. You must be ready for that.

I am not sure exactly where my life journey is headed, but as long as I know and trust myself to create my own happiness, live in the moment and be thankful for each and every day, I know I am on the lighted path.

A few things to be thankful for:

I had a beautiful friend get married this past weekend and had friends (above) come in from Nashville and Vegas to celebrate! Cheers to wonderful friends and beautiful love!

Yep, this is the bride and groom karaoking "Don't Stop Believing." Yes, they are that awesome.

Two of my favorite men in my life. My big brother and my nephew, Connor. I know, they are twins.

I can hear all of your ooooo's and awwww's through the screen right now and I don't blame you. I have a couple of the cutest nephews in the whole entire world.