Running group

I've been training for the White Rock Half Marathon which will take place on December 14 here in Dallas. I knew I couldn't stick to a training plan on my own (tried it last year...) so I invited some friends to create a running group. The group includes my sister Brittany, my sister-in-law Kelsey, Chelsea - a friend of masters' swimming, and two of Chelsea's friends, Steph and Kat. We all do our mid-week runs on our own, and we get together on Saturdays for the long runs. This picture was taken after our first group run where we started at 3 miles. Since then, we had two consecutive Saturdays at 4 miles and two more Saturdays at 5 miles. This Saturday (9/20) several of us are running the Tour des Fleurs 10k... I'll try to remember to bring my camera and get a group picture!

Dirty Jobs Revelation

I just got to Dayton and settled into the hotel. I happened to turn on "Dirty Jobs" on Discovery where they are at a pig farm. During the show they mentioned the well-known nursery rhyme "this little pig went to market..." and for the first time in my life, I realized that the lyrics aren't referring to a pig going grocery shopping. I always pictured the momma pig dressing up in high heels and pearls and going shopping at, say, the Piggly Wiggly :)

I can't believe it took me two decades to figure that out.

Lord Have Mercy

...when will Phil and Brittany let it go?

I have been singing the lyrics wrong to an oldies tune. I like to sing "Lord Have Mercy, I'm a boy from down in the boondocks." Seriously, it's not off by that much and I don't see what it's that funny.

But here are some mix-ups more worthy of mention:

• Secret Asian Man (Phil's high school buddy Tony)
• Give me a reservation (me again; can you tell I travel? This is a great new Third Day song, though! - supposed to be "Give me a revelation"... oops)
• Give me the beach boys... and free my soul... wanna get lost in the rock and roll (Amy)

Financial Peace University

Courtney and I are excited to start Financial Peace University, Dave Ramsey's 13 week personal finance course. We will be facilitating this course at our church, First United Methodist, Duncanville. Log on to www.daveramsey.com to find the nearest FPU class to where you live. I know it's going to be awesome!

All Growed Up

Right now my sister Brittany is at a very exciting time in her life! She just graduated from college and begins her first job next week. It's fun to see all the stuff she has to do as a new Texas resident and remember back to 5 years ago when Phil and I landed in Austin. Our experience was a little different.

[Insert the wavy lines on the screen from Scooby Doo.... taking you back in time to 2003]

• On July 26, we were married in Nesbit, Mississippi.
• On August 2, our honeymoon (a 7-day Royal Caribbean cruise) ended when we pulled into the port in Galveston. I was actually excited to leave the ship because I really, really, really wanted to get started setting up our apartment in Austin. We took a shuttle from Galveston to the airport in Houston, and Phil's parents picked us up and drove us to their house in The Woodlands where we had left our first car, a 1999 Ford Explorer named Larry. That evening we drove 3 hours to Austin.
• The first month in Austin was kind of a blur. It was so fun to "play house" in our apartment and set up all our new things. I remember feeling kind of giddy at the grocery store. I loved it!!!
• We had to do all the administrative stuff and then some - first thing was to change my name. I stood in line at the Social Security place for HOURS. Then I also had a get a Texas drivers' license. We had to update our insurance with our new address. We also had to go to the bank and make Phil's checking/savings account into a joint account. Then we had to set up internet, cable, phone service, and get cell phones. (Why did we waste our money on a home phone and cable TV? Ugh.)
• Jobs? Oh yeah, employment. Now that you mention it, that is kind of a critical part of living on your own and being an adult. Unlike smarty pants Brittany, neither one of us had jobs yet.
• After a couple of frustrating weeks of commission-only door-to-door phone sales, Phil took a job as an assistant manager at OfficeMax because we needed a paycheck. A couple of weeks later, I found an hourly job as an accounting clerk at a small company.
• In the end, though, the job thing worked out. Phil only had to work at OfficeMax for a few months before he found a position with his current employer, and my hourly position turned into a salaried one. A year later, when I enrolled in the masters of professional accounting program at UT, I was able to convince my boss to let me work part-time (back to hourly, but at a much higher rate).

And that's our story. We've made a lot of progress in 5 years. I love you baby!

("Baby" inserted on purpose. The term seems to annoy Brittany... ha! I guess I'll be using it a lot!)

Dogs vs. Cats

The Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Treats! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played all day at Camp Bow Wow! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

• Day 983 of my captivity.
  
• My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
  
• They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
  
• Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
  
• The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. 
  
• Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities.
  
• However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Jerks!
  
• There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. 
  
• Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
  
• I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously challenged.
  
• The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicating with the Guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an Elevated Cell, so he is safe . . . . . for now.
  

Backyard visitor