Dear Friday–you’re here!

YAYYYYY!! IT’S FRIDAY. FRIDAY. GOTTA GET DOWN ON FRIDAY. EVERYBODY’S LOOKIN’ FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND.WEEKEND. {um. did I just mention/sing a Rebecca Black song?!}

This week started easy and ended on a hard note – I just got SLAMMED at work so I am welcoming this weekend with open arms.

Last night I went to a REALLY cool event at the Loews Hotel put on by their chef and Terrapin Beer. Think 5 course meal with wine pairings – but substitute wine for craft beers at every course. FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC GOOD! We had figs {weird} and lamb {so good} and steak {amazing} and peach dumplings {to die for} and almond pesto {yum} and mussels {great} – seriously, such good food.

But, it was good to just do something exciting and different and new with friends. And I hadn’t seen Rafael since my wedding and I know Evin enjoyed having a night away from her new little cute baby boy. It was 100% worth the super late night out and then being crazy tired this morning {and all day} – but you only live once. Right?

I am looking forward this weekend.  We don’t have too much on the schedule :: oil changes. bank. FlyWheel and lunch date with my friend. Grocery Store. 5 mile run. More Pretty Little Liars. Hopefully remember to clean out my closet – it is overcrowded and I need to take stock in what I have and don’t have – since my wardrobe is getting sparse and unoriginal.

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And. It is Friday. So you know what that means.... LETTERS! :)

 

Dear Atlanta Drivers :: Rawr! You all are SO annoying. Like, how am I supposed to know you want to get over if you don’t use your turn signal. When you just drift over into me I assume you’re just a bad driver who cannot stay in your lands. And also – going 35 mph on 285 is wayyy dangerous. But I am sure you can go the speed limit if you hang up your phone. Oh. And green = go. Not stop and wait till you can merge over. Go. Go. Go. {end rant}

Dear Passport People :: Hi. I think you have had my marriage license for too long. When do you plan on returning it to me?! I need it, we only have one. And I need it to change my name on my Delta Sky Miles account!

Dear Olympics :: Yay you’re here! I am pretty sure you will be on my TV every night! I cannot wait for diving and gymnastics!

Dear Husband :: I love you but I do not want to see that Dark Knight movie. Just be kind and wait for it to come out on Netflix. And if you do drag me there you know I won’t be kind and I will drag you to see something horrendous.

Dear Meal Planning :: We rocked it out this week. And you made my life less stressed. I think we will keep you in our lives.

Dear Half Marathon Training :: You’re kicking my butt and I am not looking forward to my 5 mile run tomorrow – but I am TRYING my best to stick to the training schedule.

Dear Weekend :: Treat me well. Please and thank you!

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Meal Planning!

When Kyle and I got married and merged our bank accounts together we put ourselves on a budget and we budgeted $400 per month for groceries.  And yeah - that probably does seem like A LOT for 2 people ... but my husband can put away some food.

But. Overtime I began to realize that we were buying A LOT of things that we probably didn't need and won't ever use. So, I saw this on pinterest and thought why not apply it to our real life. And now we're on week 1 of meal planning.

The big changes: (1) Rather than 2 grocery shopping trips per month I have to make 1 small trip per week. Which is good. We can get fresh veggies and fruit. And fish! (2) Hopefully we will save time rather than hmming and hawwing over what to make for dinner.  And, I will be able to pull chicken out of the freezer the night before or ground beef. Again. Saving time. And time is something we don't have a lot of at night between dog walks and Kyle doing P90X and me half marathon training.

I got the print out HERE and I build my grocery list on the right and list our dinner options on the left.  And we don't have to cook the meal on the day that it is associated with but we have all our dinners planned and Kyle is locked into 1 meal per week.

So far it is going pretty well and I think this is something we will continue doing. It for sure will keep us from going out for dinner.  It is too soon to see if we're saving any money on groceries but I am hoping we do.  Less money on groceries means more money for other things like vacations or our future 1st house.

Do you meal plan? Have you thought about meal planning?!

:: Dear Friday... ::

As I sit here and wait for Kyle to come downstairs and join me for our movie night {Dinner with Schmucks} I will bring back my Friday Letters. I think K may be distracted by his new fancy video game controller - but I will forgive him.

Dear Friends: the fact that so many of your marriages are ending after such short time periods makes me sad. i really do wish you all nothing but happiness, but i am still very sad for you.

Dear Blast900: You kicked my booty tonight - holy sweaty face, pants, shirt, body. I cannot wait to see you next Friday. I am LOVING these free classes. Holla!

Dear Stone Mountain: I am unsure how I am going to successfully run around you tomorrow morning. This may be a slow 5 miles.

Dear Birchbox: Ok. I have been a member for 3 months and every box has sucked. I am giving you 1 more month to redeem myself then no more $10 per month for you! Bah Hum Bug.

Dear Work: You're keeping me busy and on my toes and you presented me with a new challenge this week that I am super excited about. I cannot wait to see what I can and do accomplish. :)

Dear Husband: Everyone at work told me how lucky I am to have you and I know I am.  Thanks for delaying your video game playing time to make banana pudding for my company pot luck today.  It was a hit!

Dear Crazy People: Really?! Quit with the random acts of violence. My thoughts were with Tuscaloosa earlier this week and now they're with Colorado.  I know gun control is "liberal thinking" ... but I mean do we need to tighten the requirements on who can and cannot have a gun.  {Granted. Homeboy who went off the deep end in the movie theater appeared to be a smart, upstanding kid.}

Dear Sanibel Island: I am coming for you - it has been forever since I visited you last.  But, my plane ticket is booked and now I'm just getting back in bathing suit shape.

Dear People Reading This: I hope you have a REALLY good weekend!!

Goodreads Challenge - Complete! :)

First.  If you LOVE to read and you're not on Goodreads, you're 100% missing out.  Second. If you're on Goodreads then connect with me!  I always like to see what other people are reading and have put on their bookshelves to read and what people have read.  It is how I get all my book recommendations now.

But, it is July and I am 100% done with my "2012 Challenge" so I need to up it.  OR I need to see just how much I blow it out of the water. I set out to read 20 books in 2012 and last night, I completed that challenge!

Here are all the books I have read thus far:

Now... don't judge me on my reading material.  I like the chic-light, light easy reads!  And yes - I read the '50 Shades' series and thought it was annoying and obnoxious and am still confused on how it got to be so popular.  Horrible horrible writing and story lines. I recommend the Lauren Conrad books - they were quick, easy, and just fun. I of course LOVE Kristin Hannah & Elin Hilderband so if you're looking for a "beach read" ... grab one of their books!

But seriously, I recommend Goodreads for all the book nerds like me. And what are your favorite books?!

too early to think up a title.

Look at this early morning post from me! :)  I am at home this morning because our house is old and falling apart and the dishwasher broke like 2 weeks ago. And after having to hand wash dishes for a few weeks I  FINALLY followed up with our property management company to be like "um. hi. hello. what is going on with our dishwasher?!" ... and it appears the contractor didn't update them about a broken part and having to reschedule AND the contractor forgot to reschedule.  So... I am sitting here waiting for the dishwasher man to come to our house and make Kyle's week by fixing the dishwasher. we would have never made it in the non-electricity / no dishwasher era -- we.are.lazy.

But. With all that said. This morning has been so utterly relaxing. I am sitting on the couch - watching GMA, drinking my coffee, eating my yogurt, and monitoring my work email for important things. I got ready on my own time and it wasn't a mad sweaty dash to get up, ready, and out of the house {like normal} ... long story short - I could SO do this "stay at home" / "work from home" thing. ...like once a week. Let me be honest: I would DIE without social interaction.

I did love that both Mulls and Kens got in their crate like they normally do and when I just walked right past Kenne's crate and she realized I wasn't locking her up for the day she got SO excited and bounded out of the crate, tail wagging, and hopped on me to say that she was happy.  Little does she know that she will be locked up whenever this contractor gets here and then leaves.  Momma's gotta go to work to pay for your food and daycare and toys and vet visits and treats.  {but seriously, when will this dishwasher man be here?!}

On another topic.  This half marathon training is hard. Like harder than it was in the past.  Getting back into it is not the hard part.  I have been diligent about hitting the gym & working out & scheduling work outs - but I am having a hard time hitting the miles.  Maybe it is because I HATE HATE HATE treadmill running, but it is just too hot to run outside.  On top of it - my right foot {the arch} has been hurting.  Per the usual, I self diagnosed myself with tight muscles so I am making a much better effort to stretch and stretch a lot. And since my foot was REALLY hurting yesterday I skipped Blast900 since I didn't think hills, sprints, and running would be a good idea. But it is feeling better today - so I think I will try a little short run with lots and lots of stretching. :)

And. Since I am STILL waiting. I am going to Link Up with another fun link up I have seen bloggers doing called "It's Okay Thursday" ... probably won't be a weekly thing, but why not participate? (Objective: a list of things that in my mind are a-okay)

IT IS OKAY...

...to plan Kyle and my exotic 1 year anniversary trip that is WAY far away and I know won't actually happen...
...that I think it is super weird that people google search "barbie and kyle shanahan" {i know this thanks to the stats on how people find my blog}. Like why are you google searching us. We're LAME...

...to love on my dogs as much as I do...

...that I stay up WAY too late reading WAY too often. Sometimes a good book just sucks me in...

...that I really don't understand the point of this link up...

...that I am really impatient waiting for this contractor to come. I really need to get to work...

...that I ordered my 2013-2014 Erin Condren planner already. I know it was an impulse buy, but I just wanted to have it 100% ready for January 1...

...that I have not yet started my Christmas shopping even though I am normally 50% done by now...

...

That was random and weird. Not sure how I feel about that link up. But this whole post is random and weird.

1 more day till Friday ... I think we can all make it, right?! Even though Kyle and I have nothing on the calendar for this weekend I like to know that it is coming up and so super close.

.Ok. I think I am done.  

Half Marathon :: Training Plan

I am officially back on the running thing thanks to Elizabeth and her fabulous giveaway for a free entry into Atlanta 13.1.  I ran this race 2 years ago – loved it – signed up to run it last year – backed out because I wasn’t ready and didn’t feel like suffering for 13.1 miles.  But. now that the wedding is over and done with I need something to occupy my time and running it is.  After all, running keeps me sane and I refuse to do P90X with Kyle.

I found a training plan and here is what my next few weeks look like:

WEEK	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
1	REST	3 MI	2 MI	3 MI + STRENGTH	REST	4 MI	30 MIN XT
2	REST	3 MI	2 MI	3 MI + STRENGTH	REST	4 MI	30 MIN XT
3	REST	3.5 MI	2 MI	3.5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	5 MI	40 MIN XT
4	REST	3.5 MI	2 MI	3.5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	5 MI	40 MIN XT
5	REST	4 MI	2 MI OR XT	4 MI + STRENGTH	REST	6 MI	40 MIN XT
6	REST	4 MI	2 MI OR XT	4 MI + STENGTH	REST	5K RACE	REST OR XT
7	REST	4.5 MI	3 MI OR XT	4.5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	7 MI	50 MIN XT
8	REST	4.5 MI	3 MI	4.5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	8 MI	50 MIN XT
9	REST	5 MI	3 MI OR XT	5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	10K RACE	REST OR XT
10	REST	5 MI	3 MI	5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	9 MI	60 MIN XT
11	REST	5 MI	3 MI	5 MI + STRENGTH	REST	10 MI	60 MIN XT
12	REST	3 MI	2 MI	2 MI	REST	3 MI	30 MIN XT
13	REST	2 MI	REST	2 MI	REST	REST	13.1

So. This all looks pretty manageable and I seem to be off to a good start – but I always start “off to a good start”. Now, I just hope I can stick with it.  But… with Kyle doing P90X I do have the ability to go to the gym more often since he is not going.

I need to find a 5k the weekend I am scheduled for a 5k. But it just so happens that I am running a 10k that my company is sponsoring the same weekend that I need to run a 10k so that is a success.

I am thinking Thursday nights I may just sneak out of the office a little early and head to Buckhead for Blast900. Since Blast is running and strength. And… I am sure by the time the 5 mile mark hits I will have the endurance to hopefully knock out to 5 miles.

I just need to figure out my Sunday cross training.  I’d like to work in FlyWheel Spin Classes but that is a solid hour and most weekends don’t count for that much cardio.  I don’t want to over extend myself.

Oh well. Hopefully, in addition to Friday’s Letters I can get you a half marathon training update. Weeeeee! :)

Weekend - FOILED! Beach Trip - PLANNED!

Oh Miranda.  Didn't you see my Friday's Letters from last week?  Did Blake not take good care of you?!

Our super fun girls weekend is slowly falling apart.  Miranda Lambert postponed her concert this Friday due to "overextending her vocal chords" and it has been moved to October 5th.  Which.... would totally work if one of the girls didn't already have plans to be out of town, Heather will be with her family in Memphis, and I have a half marathon on the books that weekend.

This is me super bummed.  Le Sigh. But, I am trying to still get Heather to come into town.  Her and I need a reunion and she needs a little social interaction in her life!

In happier news.  It is no secret that I need a mental health day or weekend and I am cashing in on that.  I am going to the beach in October with my family and booked my plane ticket today.  {Random Fact: Tuesday after 3:00 PM is the best time to book plane tickets}  I got my ticket for a steal - under $250 when yesterday they were over $350.  And I have not been to Sanibel in like 9 years and it will be good to just get away and lose myself in a good book!

107 to get back to bathing suit shape.  Good thing I knocked out 2 miles today :)

Oh AC don't fail us now!

Kyle and I survived our first test on our marriage. We passed with flying colors. And yes {for my family} I am being dramatic. Not a real "test of the marriage" but a "fun" time.

.Let me introduce you to the main characters.

Kyle J: The husband who projectile stresses when he is stressed and spews frustration when he is frustrated and tends to think the worst in all situations. but he always apologizes. {love you k.}

Barbie aka Me: The wife. Who is not fun to be around when she gets hot and feels gross. The one who likes to google situations and diagnose situations {sometimes being correct but a lot of times being wrong.}

The Dogs: The ones who are black and get hot in the hot hot heat and one is made of wool {for reals}

The AC unit: That {as I like to call it} was crying because it was having to work so hard in this hot hot heat.

.the story.

Our AC went crazy. Legit crazy.  Earl this week {like Tuesday maybe?} it would blow really hard and then stop. And then blow really hard and then stop. and repeat repeat repeat. And it was a little damp. We had just changed the filter {per the request of our property management company} and thought that had something to do with it so I trekked to Home Depot in the middle of a monsoon to get ANOTHER filter - a different sized one this time.  And all was well in the world. No more blowing and stopping.

Then, I woke up Saturday morning to a post-it note asking me to check the AC thing and our hall bathroom for water.  I didn't notice anything until later in the day when I used the hall bathroom and there was a puddle of water. So, I looked at the AC thing again and there was condensation and dripping.

The whole time I am wondering why am I, the girl, looking into HVAC issues?!

So. We mopped up all the water and turned the AC off and the hot hot heat began. I put in a call to our property management's emergency line {again. why is the girl doing this?!} letting them know there was a minor {or maybe major} issue.

Kyle still did P90X despite the rising temps and I was forced upstairs {hi. hello. heat rises! that is why no one wants the top bunk at summer camp!} to watch Lifetime and watch the dogs.

The cranky wife began complaining.

Then the call came in. Brian from some HVAC AC company was coming to our rescue! A hour later he was there and fixing things and really seriously being my hero.

.the verdict.

just in case someone happens to google things like "AC Leaking Water" or "AC Leaking Water White Pipe" {some of the things I googled} and they stumble upon this blog and actually read all the way down here I can tell you what happened. evidently. our drain pan was full the the pipe could not drain.  Our buddy Brian told us that this is common and that in the summer we should drop a little bit of bleach in the pipe to keep it clean.  And we evidently had a really gross build up of slime and algae like junk in the pipe so it was backed up.

And now... all is well in this world and we have AC and it wasn't something too serious! :)  Happy Saturday right?!

but seriously. why do I put in all the work orders and have to handle all the odd house issues. i feel like this is not up my alley and as my boss would say "i am not staying in my lane!"  ...And for the record, I do not think Kyle and I are ready nor made for home ownership.  But, I will say renting this house has grounded us and made us realize that things can go wrong and they will go wrong and it will be our responsibility to fix them.  But, for now. I hope the owners of our house let us renew our lease for another year - we're probably their most expensive tenants!

Friday*s Letters

Before I get into my letters that sum up my week I would like to go on the record and state that this was the weirdest week in the history of all weeks.  July 4th threw me off.  Having a Wednesday off and then having to go back to work was like having two Mondays in one week and we all know that Mondays are by far the worst day of the week.

I am so super proud of all my buddies who toughed out the Peachtree Roadrace on the 4th.  The heat and the humidity - holy moly no ma'am.  I ended up selling my race number (the honest way - no profit made) because I was not ready for it nor did I feel like waking up early and toughing out 6.2 miles in the hot hot heat. :: slacker, i know. don't hate ::

I am starting half marathon training next week thanks to Elizabeth and her fabulous giveaway for the 13.1 Atlanta.  I have raced this in the past and loved it!

Kyle and I FINALLY found a local Chinese restaurant this evening so we are so super pumped.  We have Mexican and Chinese and Italian. Yum. But why is it that all the best Chinese places are in the most ghetto locations or buildings?!

:: And now... my Friday Letters ::

Dear Friday :: I am so so so grateful for you today.  This week was rough and people never cease to amaze me.  Next week is a new week and I hope hope hope it is hands down way better than this week. Oi Vey.

Dear Life :: I may complain too much about you and seem unhappy at times, but I really am grateful for you and everyone who is in my life. I do wish you'd slow down and throw me a bone sometimes, but I know that you're not handing me more than I can handle.

K doing P90X yoga! :o)

Dear Husband :: I am so proud of you for starting P90X and then sticking with it! I know you just started it but I am super impressed. And because I love you so... I will share this fabulous picture with even more Internet people!  But you do sweat a lot and it is kinda gross.  But don't worry.  I still think you're great, I just don't want hugs or for you to get too close. xoxo - much love. 

Dear Boy At Work Who Made Me Cry :: I know you don't know you made me cry because I hung up the phone. vented to my office mom. and cried. but still. you made me cry and you were not very nice. granted, me being mentally and physically exhausted probably didn't help all that much - but still - manage your employees and stop shoving your work onto me.

Dear Kyle :: I love you. And I love that you asked/said "is _______ still at the office?! Do I need to call him?! he does not make you cry" I love that you protect my honor from afar and think that people should treat me right.

Dear Office Mom :: I am forever grateful for you and your words of wisdom.  Don't kill me but I didn't leave early today like you ordered me to do.

Dear Mom and Dad :: I am going to try and come to Sanibel for a short weekend.  Kyle will probably stay here, but I think I need a break from reality and just disconnect from the world.  And if I am in Atlanta that won't happen.  I'm saving my allowance to see if I can afford a $300+ plane ticket.

Dear Miranda Lambert :: Please protect your voice this weekend and get better soon.  We have been looking forward to your concert next weekend for months.  It is the kick off to the most fabulous girl weekend ever.  So make Blake make you some tea and just kick back in that big house of yours and take.it.easy.  We need some gunpowder and lead in Atlanta!!!

Dear Heather :: I cannot wait to see your face next weekend!! I just mat not let you go back to Tuscaloosa.  And I know you need this weekend more than anything so I hope it is fun and exciting and nothing but amazing! :)

Dear Mulligan :: Sir. It is hot hot hot outside.  Please do not give yourself self imposed heat stroke again. Legit, we thought you were going to fall over and drown in your water bowl.

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Needless to say. I am looking forward to this weekend. Kyle and I really have nothing on the books so I plan on sleeping and watching shows on Netflix.  I am trying this crazy spin studio in Buckhead called FlyWheel and then doing a Zoes Kitchen lunch on Sunday with my friend Afton {which BTW, I am loving our weekend workouts}.  But other than that, we really have nothing planned.  Which works because it is too hot to really do anything.

And will someone remind me to buy a new digital camera before this weekend?! Please and thank you!!

Happy 100 Days!

Today Kyle and I are celebrating our 1st 100 days of marriage! And how fitting is it that I am now 100% done with chaning my name on this milestone!! It has been a wonderful 100 days and heres to many many more 100 days!! :)

Granted we have no real plans. Or plans at all. Just a normal Monday in our house. But it is still fun to celebrate little milestones!

:: Weekend Round Up ::

Let me tell you.  Kyle and I lived.on.the.edge. this weekend.

:: Total scarcasm ::

it was too hot to breathe and function, I am legit ready for the fall.

:: Our Weekend Went Like This ::

Friday I didn't leave work till like 6:15 because I was busy cleaning up a franchise owner's background screening snafau. But then I went for drinks at the W in Midtown to celebrate my friend Tiffany's birthday so all was right in the world.

But, I was at home and in bed by like 10:30 that night. Again. Living.On.The.Edge.

Saturday we slept till like 10:30 AM. I am not ashamed. After my work week I needed it.

But then it was HOT HOT HOT like 104* HOT so we didn't leave the house {other than popping our head out the door to tell the dogs to shut their mouth and stop barking}

So I was on the couch all day reading Hunger Games and watching Lifetime and Bravo and E! ... you know killing brain cells with reality television.

Then Kyle randomly asked me if he could "take me on a date" and he took me to dinner. The romance lives on!!

Kyle also decided it is time for a new vacuum so we researched vacumms. I am pulling for a Dyson. Kyle doesn't want to spend that much money.  I just have to keep reminding him we have gift cards from the wedding!!!

I went to Pure Barre with my friend Afton. Followed by a manicure and pedicure. Quality girl time with a great friend. A much needed simple get out of the house afternoon.

And I had to go to Crate and Barrel to pick up something I ordered weeks ago. But it was too hot and I said nevermind.

And I read and finished the 1st Hunger Games book.  Now I have to anxiously wait for the other 2 to come in the mail.

I stalked Etsy and found things that I just had to have to decorate our house. For example THIS. I am in love with this bible verse. And I want it and I know exactly where I will put it should I chose to spend my allowance on it.

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I am looking forward to the short week this week! {Not looking forward to having to be a manager and put one of the people who report to me on a performance plan...} I have to go update my name on my passport tomorrow and then I am 100% a Shanahan.  But I LOVE short weeks and knowing I can sleep in, but going back to work on Thursday will be odd.