The old grey mare, she ain't what she use to be...

So, I went to my 1st run last night, I was the only girl, I was the only one who hadn't run in years, and apparently the only one that had a giant spaghetti and meatball dinner BEFORE the run... but, I DID IT!!

4 1/2 miles!!  

No stopping, or puking, only 1 small fart, and no peeing my pants, all in all, I'd say that's a SUCCESS!

I LOVED IT, well, not while I was running, but Oh, the memory of how you feel after you're in shape and running!!  I'm in hopes that in 2 weeks it won't feel like my lungs wanna explode.

I've been saying I'm going to run again for years, I must say I am so proud of myself for taking that first step, which is always the hardest!!

Ok, let's talk a little bit of art...

ArtPrize click here!!! do it, come on!!

ArtPrize 2011

Grand Rapids, MI... so worth the drive!!

Now, mind you, all the best pictures on my BEST camera which I STILL can't get to download onto my MAC... so go to the website (above) and check it out for yourself!!

Trust me, this in NO way highlights all of the extreme COOLNESS that is everywhere in my city!!

Ok, I haven't been keeping up with my etsy store AT ALL!  I have got to get it stocked for the Christmas season since I'm hoping to actually SELL something this year!!

That WOULD be nice...

Have a grand day and we'll meet back here later, ok?!

Blah, blah, blah... is it Friday?

It's snowing....AGAIN!

hey snow, i hate you... go away!

i'm grumpy today, it's cold, it's snowing, it's dark & dreary... and i hate all my clothes.

Have you seen those blogs where those cute girls show all their cute outfits EVERYDAY?! Where do they get all their $, that's what I want to know.  I think those are called "Trust fund babies".  Just another thing to be grouchy about- my grandparents not getting into steel during a war...

Here's my donation to the fashion blogs:

stripe shirt- Old Navy 

monkey shirt- Yum Pop

skinny jeans (are they still in?)- Target

granny slippers- Target

socks-Target

wrinkle on my forehead-1969, thanks 41- i hate you too!

and speaking of things that are bugging me- this dog....

this dog that wants out every 10 min to go chase the 500 cats we have roaming our property!

ok, more like the 9-12 cats... but when you're grouchy i find it best to exaggerate EVERYTHING!

see how he's all covered in snow and ice... love how he smells like wet puppy when he comes in!  No, not really, I hate that too!

Ok, enough about that, lets talk about what I do love....

this girl of mine!!

(who googled: "pants on the ground" today!)

fake turkey patty things... i do, i love them!

but they tricked me by mentioning avocado, because THAT happens to be my favorite thing to eat EVER and even though there are some green specks, if my eyes were closed I'd never guess there were any in these, but tasty none the less....

this shirt from All Mighty... 

which i have, so i guess i don't hate EVERYTHING i have in my closet

these dolls made by The Black Apple

VERY hard to get...

i like the one with pink hair & the one with black hair!

crochet and sweet people who make patterns to SHARE!

http://attic24.typepad.com/

pink shoes!

found on Buy.com

artwork by Mark Ryden

anything by Jennifer Hayslip of

eye candy creations

Sitting next to a Bar-B-Q champ, drinking the "drink of the day" on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean...

and...

knowing there is someone for everyone!!

Ok, I totally feel better now!

I have a cute artist to share with you tomorrow...

I just found her on etsy and have had a couple of her wire words in my home for years...

Hope you're all staying warm & safe!

Send some positive thoughts/prayers my cousins way (Naughty Nurse), she's headed to Haiti tomorrow to do some nurse stuff!  She's awesome and super pretty... geesh I hope no one sells her into prostitution!

Ok, have a great weekend!

Some things i love right now...

It's been a little crazy... just a little! We have a new girl around here! My 16 year old step daughter is now living with us & we are loving having her here!! Just not the kind of story i can "put out there" on the web, but it's good & we're getting her settled in. We spent the last 3 days deciding on bedding... hey, we're girls!! We got something today & a beautiful aqua blue wall color & are making big plans... I'll do some before & after shots... of course!

We're headed up North for some fake camping. Fake as in "this girl doesn't sleep in the woods or on the ground", so camping as in "staying in a hotel & visiting friends at THEIR campsite during the day camping"... Several reasons i don't camp, how about: picking sand out of your butt for a week, or showering in a mildewy shower that someone probably just peed in (hey, it's my story & i'm sure they did just pee!) or how about it's just like being at home only harder & dirtier! Seriously: sleeping- no way as comfy as my pillow top, cooking where i have to drag food to the woods & heat it over wood, using public bathrooms where the floor is covered in wet toilet paper & sand.... Don't even try to tell me how fun this is & i'm just "missing the point". Yeah, i AM missing the point, that IS my point! AND... if that isn't enough, let me share just ONE childhood memory of camping 'cause ya know my parents totally scarred me in several areas of life. Picture with me, if you dare: The late 70's, a customized van that reads "BLUE JEANS" on the side & has 3 shades of blue shag carpet. It's midnight my 6'1" father is laying down thru the center of the van in his underwear snoring hard enough to suck the roof of the van in! I'm TRYING to sleep in a vinyl & burlap type fabric reclining seat (can you say comfy?!), i'm short, but sleeping in a van seat... seriously what were my parents thinking? 3 kids with no sleep covered in sand? Anyway: approx 97 degrees in the van, high humidity & holes in the screens that are allowing the van to fill with mosquito's. Now picture 1 mom in a sheer nightie (how am i not an ax murderer?) getting into the drivers seat & driving the van around the campground so she can run the A/C.... for some reason my mom thought it was wrong or illegal or against her religion to just let the van idle & run the A/C. That wasn't distracting to a young child trying to sleep in a scratchy seat covered in mosquito bites & listening to the thunderous snoring of her father... So, if you thought at the beginning of this you could convince me how fun camping is, you now know to back slowly away from me with your bunson burner & pup tent!

so on to better stuff, stuff me likes!

Mini violets!this CD (eric hutchinson)
L'oreal mascara- Telescopic in BLACK

Bare Minerals POWDER sunscreen!! I love the sunscreen i do!!

FRESH veggies in my back yard (although these are in my sink)

Bye-Bye Pie blog... must partake of daily!

Senseo coffee & some coconut creamer (or toasted marshmallow flavoring- pouring from that big glass bottle makes it feel like i'm pouring some wild turkey in my cup 1st thing in the morning, & some days i just like to pretend i'm all naughty like that!)

trust me, you won't go back to REAL chicken... I ♥ these!!

this website, this shirt! Just got it in the mail- hurry, it's on clearance!

http://www.all-mighty.net/index.php

this website, this belt because i REFUSE to believe or act like i am 40!

http://www.sickforcute.com/shop/

Ok, i have to get to bed, Conan is on & that means its way past my bedtime... We leave early in the morning so i won't be back for a few days (don't try to rob me, the outside dog will eat you, i promise!!)

Have a wonderful weekend & we'll chat soon! Maybe i'll have some pictures of me NOT camping!☺

~m