Happy Thursday everyone! Hope you all are having a great week so far, only one more day until the weekend! Woo hoo! But news flash! It is only 6 more days until Christmas!!!
ACK!!!
I still have two more presents to buy and stocking stuffers! Oye!! When will I find the time? Maybe tomorrow. I hope tomorrow.
Today is Day 5 of my 10 Days of Compression and I am featuring one of the first pairs of Pro Compression marathon socks I ever owned. The Marathon Pink!
Hello Thursday, it's good to see you again. Let's try to be kind to one another and get me to the weekend safely, sound good?
I woke up this morning to some lovely tweets from my BRF's on the east coast, I love those women! They know how to brighten my day for sure. Another day brightener came in the form of winning a drawing for a race entry! It was announced last night from a local company Gametiime, I had entered to win an entry to the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk and I won a free entry! How exciting! This is my raceversary race and I look forward to it each year.
What is a raceversary race? Well it is the race that you hallmark as the beginning of your racing "relationship"/career/whathaveyou. This will be the third time I am set to run this race, celebrating two years of my love of running and looking forward to my third year that will be an interesting transition back to running after baby. So much to be thankful for and look forward to!
So this means I have one more race to do before baby arrives next month. Yes, I will be careful, no, I will not push myself and yes, I will most likely walk most of the course. I can only do what the baby will allow me to do and I'm not going to push it! This is a celebration race, not one I'm trying to PR!
It's Thursday again my friends, one more day until the weekend. WOOHOO!! Anyone else as excited as me? I'm just looking forward to sleeping in this weekend. I'm sooooo tired. This baby is really zapping my energy lately. I'm usually good through the day, but once I get home all I want to do is sleep, then getting up in the morning is super tough, thus starting the cycle again.
This weekend is also my baby shower! SQUEEEEEEE!!!! Can I just tell you how ridiculously excited I am about it? I'm so excited to see my lovely friends! That's what I'm most excited about, is spending time with some great ladies I haven't seen in a while. You know how it is, life is busy for us all and makes it tough to get together as often as you'd like to, and you don't get to spend as much time with them. I may only get a couple of hours with these ladies, but it will make the occassion that much more special. Besides, my house is only a couple of minutes away from the party, so if they want to continue to visit afterwards the party can move to my house! Woot!
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in one week?!? Where has the time gone? It feels like this month didn't even exist, it went by so fast!!! We are just over a month away from Christmas and less than 6 weeks away from the New Year!!! Goodnight! Man...how quickly this year has passed. So many things (good and bad) happened this year and still so many great things in this year to come.
Part of the things that weren't good, but not really bad just an annoying part of life that happened this year is kinda what spurred on today's jam selection. Time to get a bit frank here. My friends, family and myself included have encountered lots of pressure of different kinds and judgement from people who have no business in judging others. I know this happens to everyone in everyday life, but I feel like this year has been especially bad. I don't know if it's because of my current state (pregnant) or if it's society norms in general, but it seems that everyone has an opinion on how I should run my life and telling me what is best for me. Same thing goes with instances my friends and family have encountered too.
It's kinda crazy how some weeks can fly by, some weeks can crawl by and some weeks are both those at the same time. I am currently experiencing the latter, it's a short week for me, I had Monday and I have Friday off. So I've only worked three days this week and boy am I feeling it! The days are long but it feels like the hours are short and I'm still not getting through everything I need/want to. So here I am, the last day of my work week struggling to get caught up and concerned about making sure everything is covered, but in the same stride, cannot wait until it is time to leave here. Le sigh...
I struggled with today's jam selection, after last weeks which was one I had been saving up for a while, I didn't know what to put up. I thought maybe I shouldn't do it every week and maybe space it out or maybe do one once a month? I debated it, but on my way to work this morning, there was a throwback jam that was playing and I figured, what the hell! I'll put it up today.
So today's jam is:
Okay, so I probably say this every week, but damn, Thursday is such a tease!! So close to the weekend, yet so far away! I get a three day weekend coming up because I took Monday off, woohoo! I get some time to recover from my weekend, which is always busy, and I get some time with my hubby because he has Mondays off.
Speaking of my hubby, can I just say how wonderful he is and how lucky I am? (okay, having a mushy moment here.) I came home last night and changed out of my work clothes to some house clothes, per normal routine and while I was doing that my hubby remarked, "I'm making dinner tonight, so we aren't having what is scheduled for tonight." (because yes, I meal plan for the week and buy ingredients during the weekend so there is no thinking when I get home, I just make dinner.) Okay, I thought, that's cool with me. So he showed me what we were having and got right to work on cooking because I was hungry already, or rather baby was hungry!
So while dinner was cooking, he had me lounge on the couch while he had some of my favorite music playing and some picture slideshows going on the tv while, get this, he gave me a leg and hip massage!!! I just stared at him for a while wondering, what is going on, is there something wrong and he's just trying to butter me up? But nope, he just wanted me to relax and take the time off my feet since I usually make dinner and cleanup the kitchen each night. Such a wonderful treat, it was fabulous and I'm such a lucky lady to have such a great hubby. Thanks sweetie!
So onto Thursday's business, sharing my favorite jams, the songs that get my legs pumping and my booty bumping. Today's jam is a special one, I've been holding onto this sucker for months because I knew the perfect week to post it and it's this week! This is for all my Team @runDisney family that is there or on their way to Disney World for the big Wine and Dine Race weekend. Tonight is a very special occassion for some of my BRF's, they are participating in the first ever night runDisney meet-up, so cool! I can't wait to see the pictures and read their tweets as this event officially starts the race weekend festivities and the events will go strong until the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. So jealous.
It's that time again, it's Thursday! And bonus...it's HALLOWEEN! Happy Halloween everybody! I've always been a fan of Halloween, yes as kids it was a time to look forward to because you could gorge yourself on sweet treats, dress up and go trick or treating with your friends around the neighborhood. Now that I'm older and I don't do that any more (I'm the one handing out the treats to the kids) I still enjoy this time of year because of the fun times you have carving pumpkins, decorating your home and interacting with the kids excitedly anticipating trick or treating.
So how appropriate is it that on Thursday when I usually share my favorite jams to run and groove to, that Halloween would fall on it this year and I can share a Halloween themed jam. YAY!
Today's jam should be of no surprise to anyone. This is such an iconic song and has been popular since the moment it was released. It was performed by the King of Pop himself and still to this day invokes a certain twinge of scaredy-pants apprehension when I listen to this in the dark.
Today's jam is:
Oh Thursday we meet again, you evil temptress you! So close to the weekend but yet so far. This week has been an odd one for me. I was off on Monday so I've been at work for two days, but this week has felt like FOR-EVER!
This is also the start of a very busy couple of weeks for me. I've got a birthday party on Saturday, a Halloween pumpkin carving party on Sunday, then the whole week will be prepping for my sister's baby shower that I'm co-hosting next weekend. After that I'll be seeing a bit of daylight in my schedule just before the ramp up to the holidays and all the festivities that those days bring. Not to mention I still have to prep and clean the extra bedroom to make room for our lil pumpkins arrival in January! So much to do and the time is just starting to slip away!
Today's "jam" is a Throwback Jam. I've loved this song ever since I first heard it and it never fails to get me grooving everytime I hear it. This artist has been a mainstay in the industry for a number of years now and has been cemented as a fantastic musician and entertainer. He even made a judging appearance on last seasons The Voice. So I present today's Throwback "Jam":
Wow these days are going quickly! I can't believe we are at Thursday already, wasn't it just Monday? I mean I'm not complaining, the weekend is almost here, but this weekend is also bat shit crazy busy! I guess it is the beginning of the holiday season where your weekends are no longer your own and you are crazy busy all the time. Lots to do and lots of people to see, tis the season, right?
It's also crazy at work too! Why is it that people leave all of their vacation time until the end of the year and then realize they need to use it or lose it, then there is a rash of people out all at the same time making it absolutely nuts at work because everyone is covering for everyone else? Or is that just me and where I work? I mean I have some days to burn, but damn people, learn how to dole your vacation days out over the whole year! You are stressing this pregnant woman out!!!
Well since today is Thursday, it is time to share another "jam"! This one is what I call a workhorse of my list. It is always in the mix, usually somewhere in the middle when I just need music to keep my pace going. I have featured this artist a few times and she will inevitably be on here again in the future.
Today's jam is:
Wow. It's Thursday already? How did that happen? This week has been coo-coo-ca-choo crazy for me and all the days seem to be like a blur to me. Now I find myself at Thursday and realize that I have two birthday parties for small girls this weekend and I have NO idea what to get them. I'm thinking some cute clothes, but I have no clue what size they are. Is there a chart online that says if they are this age they would be this size in clothing? There probably is, I've gotta take a look.
Anyway. It's Thursday and I've been buried by work and appointments all week (see: house is a mess and all I want to do is sleep). Ugh. I'm also going running this weekend, FINALLY! It's been forever it seems since I've been running and I can't wait to get out there. I'm really curious how the preggo belly is going to handle running now, considering it has REALLY popped since the last time I went running. It's gonna be nice and easy and not too far, I'm just excited to get back out there and get some mileage under my belt.
So I've been feeling like my life is a bit out of control lately, like I don't have control over things that are happening to me and especially what is going on with my body. More on that later. I just feel like I am a spectator in my own life and not really running my life and that disconnect has really disturbed me. I need to take more control over things I can do and try to not sweat the stuff that is out of my control (growing a baby is hard and hard on your body, that's the secret they don't tell you in all those books!). So when I heard the lyrics of the "jam" today, I was thinking it would be a good one to post.
The cool grip of Fall has wrapped itself around the Pacific Northwest. It is official, Fall is here.
The air has that crisp bite to it. It's not cold, but there is definitely a chill to it. The breeze is coming from a different direction than the summer breeze and whips through the trees rustling the leaves and breaking them free from their branches. Leaves are starting to turn colors, the once lush green leaves blanketing the trees are now turning colors of amber, gold and burnt orange. The sight of fireplace stacks eeking out essences of smoke from the fires that fill their chambers, warming the homes against the crisp fall air that creeps through their windows. The smell of mulling cider and pumpkin treats baking waft delicately through the air, beckoning you to come inside and stay a while.
I love all the sensory sensations that come with this time of year, it seriously unleashes all my literature major writing when I think about and describe it. This time of year feels like syrup is poured over life and everything kind of slows down from the bustle and manic time of the summer. People tend to stay indoors more and gather together to visit. I know it must seem like overkill, but I really do love this time of year, if you couldn't figure that out already. Especially if you follow me on Pinterest, I have a whole board dedicated to Fall recipes which are dominated by pumpkin. I love baking with pumpkin, but not drinking it. The Pumpkin Spice flavors for coffee just don't appeal to me. But give me a slice of pumpkin bread and I'm putty in your hands!!!
Oh it's Thursday, so bittersweet, considering I woke up thinking it was Friday to be disappointed upon realizing that today was actually Thursday.
Bummer.
Regardless, when I woke up it was pitch black and cold in the house. Summer has left the PNW and fall is finally here!!! Fall is my favorite time of year. So many great things happen during this season, it makes me giddy with excitement! Sunshine and crisp cool breeze, leaves changing colors and crunching under your feet, football and tailgating (not for me this year), pumpkin spice flavor/scented everything and cozy evenings by the fire. All these things happen during the fall up here and make me so happy. Warm fuzzies people, warm fuzzies.
Hello!!!! Happy Thursday to you! I'm finally back to some normalcy in life this week. I've been in and out of town for the past two weeks, so I am enjoying some quality time with my bed and pillows. Vacations are always fun, but you never know what you are going to get as far as sleeping options when you go to hotels. I've been from a super comfy king size bed, to a super stiff queen sized murphy bed (that was an experience) all in the span of a week. So sleeping in my own bed with my own pillows has been BLISSFUL!!!
Wait...did I just ramble on about beds? Ugh...maybe I'm still a bit sleep deprived. HA!
Regardless, it's good to be back home and having some sort of routine back in my life. It's also good to be back blogging, I know I have taken quite the hiatus and I apologize, I was just having so much fun that time got away from me. BUT! I have tons of pictures and lots to catch you up on, so prepare for the recap craziness that will occur next week, I'm so excited to share about everything!
Now it's time for today's "jam"! This is another song from an artist I had featured on here before. The other song didn't seem to appeal to many people, but was one that I really enjoyed. So imagine my surprise when my sister, who is very worldly with her music, stopped channel surfing one day in the car to listen to this song. It's not something I would have expected her to like and was quickly made aware of how popular this song has gotten, much to my surprise and delight. So without anything further, today's "jam" is:
Did anyone see the moon last night? Or rather I should say, did anyone NOT see the moon last night? It was so bright it was tough to miss! It was shinning on our bedroom window and was so bright you would swear it was dawning outside, it was so crazy!
Well today is Thursday and it's great in two ways, today is my Friday at work as I'm off for my three day weekend tomorrow, woohoo! AND a week from today I will be on a flight to Disneyland for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend! YAY!!!!! I'm so excited, I can't wait for this weekend to begin. Well actually I can, because it is going to go so quickly, it will be insane! There is still SO much to do and to prepare for, I've gotta get my butt in gear!!!
As today is Thursday, it is also my day to share some beats with you. Today's "jam" is a few years old now and I don't really remember this being on the air waves too much, so when my sister had this on her playlist for our roadtrip last weekend, I was totally jamming out to it! I've been a fan of a few of the hits produced by this artist, so I wasn't surprised that I liked this song, but I was just totally digging it and this is a new addition to my running list.
So today's "jam" is:
So I woke up this morning with a sleep hangover, has that happened to anyone else? I haven't slept very well the past 3-4 nights and I finally got sleep last night. But when I woke up, my body still wasn't fully recharged and ready to wake up. So the result was a sleep drunk feeling that felt like a hangover, weird right? I've never experienced that before and has now left me with a headache. Oy!
Today is Thursday and time for me to share another of my "jams" with you! This one is a bit of a Throwback hit and from a group that I saw grow and change over the years they were around. These ladies are very talented together and each on their own doing their own things. I have a lot of their music on my iPod which allows me to bring back some older "jams" to run and dance to!
So today's "jam" is:
Hello, hello all! I'm in a good mood this morning because I got my run in before work and when I do I seem to have a cheerier disposition in the morning. I'm gonna say it's because of the endorphins that I'm in a good mood and the fact that I shook off some stress.
I'm also in a good mood because I realized that in exactly three weeks from today I will be on a plane heading towards Anaheim to start my whirlwind, magical race weekend in Disneyland. I can't wait!
Today however is Thursday and time for me to share another "jam" with you, the songs that get my legs pumping and my booty bumping. This performer needs no introduction, she does it all on her own. She's been making hits for years and sometimes you get one stuck in your head and can't get it out...like this one. I'll find myself humming the chorus while I'm doing something and not even realize it.
So without much ado, I present today's "jam":
I had a terrible nights sleep last night. Why?
Well, I know when a race is coming soon because I start getting nightmares about it. Yeah...I had one last night. Of course it was about the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend (which is in 28 days, FYI!), but it was about the 5K race specifically. Me and one other female (don't know who it was) were standing in this tented area at the finish line of the 5K cheering people onto the finish and talking with them about the race and praising them for doing a great job. Then we both looked at each other and realized that we hadn't raced yet and the 10K was starting soon and we needed to get to that race too! We ran out onto the course and were the last people out there and all I can remember was running frantically, passing cheering crowds and looking down the long straightaway at the beginning of the course and feeling a huge lump in the pit of my stomach....then I woke up.
Oh boy...if these dreams continue on for the rest of the month, I will have run these races more times than I care to in my head! I hope they go away! But the likelihood of that isn't good. :( Oh well.
Today is Thursday and that means I get to share another "jam" with you. This one is from a DJ and vocalist collaboration that I really enjoyed. I shared another of their songs many months back and wanted to revisit their work and share another great track. I've shared a couple of songs from this vocalist and I really enjoy what she is doing lately and I think she has really found her musical niche.
Without further ado, I present today's "jam":
I kind of have a love-hate relationship with Thursdays. They are the day before Friday so you have lots of anticipation for the weekend, however you are still another day away from the weekend. Thursday, you are such a tease!!!
Speaking of Thursday, it is time to share another "jam" of the week. Today's "jam" is one that has been on the airwaves for a while, but I still enjoy the song. The singer is a bit of a lost soul right now, tumultuous relationship with a certain someone, an apparent penchant for a certain green herbal drug and quite the amount of Twitter followers. If you can't figure out who I'm talking about, take a look at today's video.
Today's "jam" is:
I woke up this morning to a blissfully cool home. The clouds had rolled in yesterday and trapped the cool air in overnight. It was so nice I even needed my thicker covers to sleep comfortably. It was also PERFECT running weather. So I donned my running clothes, packed up my work clothes and went to work. I took a nice run along the waterfront with TONS of other runners and came back into work a hot and sweaty mess, but it felt great! I'm liking starting my days like this, I may try to do this more often!
Today is Thursday and we are slowly rolling towards the weekend, it is in my sights and I can't wait! I've got a group of ladies I'll be running with on Saturday, 6 miles are on deck for me. I know the schedule says 9 miles, but I need to ramp up to that mileage! Do you have any fun plans for this weekend? So today is Thursday and it's time for me to share with you another "jam", songs that get my legs pumping and my booty bumping.
It's Thursday already and I couldn't be more happy about it. I have a long weekend ahead of me packed with plans and a race thrown in on Sunday. I'll be running the See Jane Run 5K on Sunday starting and ending at Gasworks Park in Seattle. It sounds like a great event and I'm excited to run it! There will be tons of people I know running either the 5K or half marathon that is taking place at the same time. I chose to do the 5K because I didn't know what type of shape I would be in and if I could handle the half marathon. I'm glad I erred on the side of caution and signed up for the 5K because I'm in no shape to be running a half this weekend. Instead I will be taking a fun run with tons of other women and enjoying a fun little party at the finish line.
It is Thursday afterall and time for me to share today's "jam". It seems that over the past year it has been a return of the boy bands and even the re-emergence of boy bands from my adolescence (wow that makes me sound old). Regardless, you can't help but get caught up in some of the catchy tunes that these bands are producing, including the one I am sharing today. I especially enjoy listening to this song during a morning run when the sun is rising and the sky is just starting to brighten up. It certainly gets my adrenaline going and get pumped during my run.
Today's "jam" is:
Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope you all are having a great day hanging out with family and friends, enjoying each others company and celebrating our country! Please also be safe out there, some people have too much fun and make poor decisions. So please be careful and watch over each other!
Today is a day off (yay!) and it's the "jam" Thursday (yay yay!) so I was trying to find a song that is fun to run to and possibly has a theme that's somewhat patriotic. Well, I wouldn't really dub it patriotic per se, but it is a fun song (though I can't believe I'm admitting this). It's a song done by a singer that has seen her image go from squeaky clean to that of constant tabloid fodder. She hasn't even released music in years and no longer performs, yet I see her being reported on daily. Oh well...to the music right!?!
Today's "jam" is:
