famous runners

Kyle trained for the full marathon. I decided to train with him in case I decided to be crazy and run it too. In October, the Memphis Runners hosted the 2nd 10 miler of the Road Race Series. Since Kyle and I have been running races, we always see those crazy runners who finish the race, then keep on running. Why would they do that?

Me: Kyle, they just ran 10 miles WITH hills and now they are running more. Are they crazy?

Kyle: I want to be them one day.

If you can't beat them, join them!

Since we were training for a full marathon, we needed to run 14 miles the day of the 10 mile race. So after the 10 mile run, we joined the crazies and ran 4 extra miles! YAY! It was so much fun to have people looking at us like we lost our minds! We were "those" people!!! And if you've ever been to Shelby Forest, then you know we were extra crazy for running the hills. But hey, we had to get our 14 mile run in.

To reward ourselves and to make sure we did not pass out for lack of food, we ate brunch (if you want to call eating a hamburger at 10am brunch) at the General Store.

It was good! The people were very friendly.

For all you foodies, they have a steak nite on Fridays and we plan to visit soon!

I should also point out that the above picture was taken during our "extra miles." Oh it gets better. The very next week I had a friend tell me I was on the home page of the Memphis Runners Track Club website. Say what?? As of today (12/26/11) we are still on the slide show. We are the 7th picture that pops up. We were the only picture but we got moved because of updated ones but still made the cut! HA! I am easily amused by things. Can you tell? I need to start charging for my running photos. I was also on the St. Jude Marathon home page (a very tiny me) and on posters! Who knew I'd be so famous?! Again, easily amused! Autographs will be signed upon request! On a serious note, I would've never imagined Kyle would be training for a FULL marathon when we got married. You need to read his weight loss journey. It is an amazing story. And now he is training for fulls and on a running website! You go Kyle! I'm so proud of you.

all the single ladies

In October, a bunch of my friends went to Nashville to celebrate Lisa's last few months as a single lady! We painted the town red!

Of course I was the one who had to make a potty break on the way.

But what a fun gas station!!

They sold boats! I pick this one!

Kristy, me, and Shelly thinks someone needs to buy this for our lake trips!

We finally got to Franklin and ate lunch at a cute little deli in the downtown area.

I really like downtown Franklin. It is so very...suburbian meets singer meets hipster meets yuppie all in rolled in one.

After visiting a shoe store, we tasted a little wine at Arrington Vineyards.

Can you see the hot air balloon on the left? That is something I want to do one day (hint hint Kyle!)

Mariana and me hitching a ride on the golf cart.

Cindy lou who!

It was a beautiful fall day. They just had a wedding as we saw the bride walking around.

Cindy, Stephanie, Kristy, me.

Right when we were leaving, they started playing music. It was so packed. I told Kyle we have to go back, bring a picnic, and enjoy the scenery.

Next up: presents at the hotel.

How cute, the bridesmaids got the movie "Bridesmaids" for a gift!

Time to paint the town!!

We ate dinner downtown but I did not like what I had so I won't tell where we went. Look how happy Lisa is!

Amanda! My fellow child life specialist friend!

About to not enjoy my meal.

I was SO happy my old flatmate Lauren showed up! I miss her!

We did some dancing and let me just say, there are some strange cats that hang out in Nashville.

See below.

He looks scary! I really wanted to see someone ride the bull but it never happened.

Since we're an older crew, we didn't stay out late. So I guess we didn't paint the town...we just did a little touch up job.  More like we painted the trim. I am so happy for Lisa that she found someone who wants to share their life with her! She is a very special person and marriage is great! I highly recommend it-but only with the right person! Congrats Lisa! Can't wait to see who the next one is!

canton flea market

THE flea market of all flea markets is the Canton Flea Market! It is held the 2nd Thursday in October and May in Canton Mississippi. In October I trucked it south to check it out. On Wednesday I stayed with Kyle's cousin Meredith. We got up bright and early on Thursday to check out the goods.

This is just one streets the market engulfs. And it looks small on here but it is so big! I should not have even posted this because it makes it look so small.

I had the best time trying out the teas.

Next time I will bring Kyle and he can be my runner. Some of the women shopped with carts. But that really got on my nerves because it is so crowed, then all the sudden, I got hammered by a lady in her big cart. If you go... bring a runner, sunglasses, and shopping bags. No cart please. Flea market foul!

My mother-in-law told me to eat a chicken on a stick. I didn't. I regret it. Next time I will!

I was in the middle of reading The Help when I went to the flea market so all these things popped in my head. I'm pretty corny and tried to imagine what it would be like in 1962 when we parked in the big backyard of an old southern home. 

This is where I pictured Skeeter living for all you Help fans.

We parked behind this house.

After the market, I visited Mimi and Aunt Eloise then drove back home only to have a rock hit my windshield and crack it. BOO!

I highly recommend going to the Canton Flea Market. And this is coming from a girl and really doesn't enjoy shopping so you know it must be good!

ribs and running

In October, Kyle's BBQ team had their 1st cook off at the Arlington BBQ festival! They've been practicing all summer and the time came to show off their smoking skills.

Greg, the team leader!

Compared to the other grills/smokers, the Bluff City Bulldogs had a smaller set up. As their slogan said "it's not the size of your grill, but the taste of your meat." Boys, boys...you're so clever! Now get your mind out of the gutter.

Steph-Jen-me-Jessica

We showed up later on Friday to try the food. YUM! Jessica entered in the dessert contest. She made pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing!!

The boys eating

The boys also entered in the seafood contest. Salmon.

I love the smell of a man gilling! It is one of my favorites! Kyle had been smoking ribs and a boston butt all day (since 7am).

The layout

The girls after eating some food!!



The atmosphere was fun. The air was full of smells that reminded me of the Memphis in May BBQ contest. We went for a walk and happened upon a band jamming out.

Twin Soul was playing 80s music. GREAT people watching event! We rocked out to Def Lepord!

Kyle stayed the night in a camper while I went home. I take that back. Kyle stayed up with Greg to smoke a boston butt and I went to rest up for the Le Bonheur 5k pumpkin run.



Our divsion team: Takin' It To the Streets!

I woke up bright and early on Saturday to burn off some calories and run for a good cause. It was my 2nd best time, just a little over 28 minutes. We had a great turn out!

After the run, I headed back out to the BBQ contest.

Ahhhh yeah. The ribs looked amazing.

Looking good guys. So proud of you!

The long walk to the judges table. All the hard work is about be up to someone's taste buds!

the judge's table.

the team: Chris, Greg, Kyle, Clay
the results: good news, they did not get last place!

dessert: 8 out of 13

seafood: 5 out of 8

ribs (patio porkers-rookies): 15 out of 18

The guys did great and most of all, they had the besttime. Can't wait for the next one!

Since Kyle only slept 1 hour on Friday night, he was not rested for the Road Race 10 miler on Sunday morning. So I ran in his place with Lauren! It was a beautiful run through Shelby Forest. It was early, but fun! A great way to start the day!

fall showers

Our last night in September was spent at the Levitt Shell. We love going to the shell.

To recap: free show, outdoors, great music, fall time=awesome date night!

We tried real hard to get the band in the picture.

The Alternate Routes played that night. The famous member of the band is the battered yellow toolbox that one of the band member plays.  First time I've heard that before and it sounded great. 

Finally October is here. One of favorite months. It is the month I got engaged! Speaking of being engaged, my friend Lisa did and I went to one of her showers.

She's in the middle. So excited for her. I made my very first pinterest craft for her gift!



After the shower, I went to my parents house where I walked into this...

Kyle was grilling some burgers on the famous keg grill. If you grew up with me, then you know all about the grill! It has fed many of my friends. Mom tells me I had a habit of inviting people over all  the time to eat! I did! It was fun.

i'm a PINster

...not to be confused with a gangster!

For those of you who don't know what pinterest is, it is crack for those of us who have a hard time being creative. Well, that is what it is for me. There is something for everyone on pinterst. It is a world full of endless ideas!

 I've been pinning for a while. Yes, it can be addicting. But I have managed make some things.

I made this wedding invitation ornament for my friend as a wedding gift. I can tell you this. I would not have come up with this cute, easy to make, frugal idea on my on. It was a hit at the shower! Now that I'm a PINster, I am the crafty, artsy girl I always wanted to be!

food for finance: run like a mother

(healthy) food for finance is a column where we talk about how fitness and finance correlate with each other. join us on our journey to be both physically and financially fit.


Amber Miller runs a marathon while almost 39 weeks pregnant

I stole this title from a book I'm reading. However, did you hear about the 27 year old lady who completed the Chicago marathon while pregnant..38 weeks and 5 days pregnant??! Then went to the hospital to give birth to a healthy baby girl! Well, this was her 2nd time to complete a marathon while pregnant. She ran one in May while 17 weeks. So really she ran 2 marathons while pregnant with her baby girl. The sweetest thing I read was that her husband ran/walked it with her, every step of the way! Of course she was a runner before (8 marathons under her belt) and was in shape while she trained and ran the race. She finished 3 hours slower than her personal record but that is understandable! Here is the t.v. clip.

Kyle is training for the St. Jude marathon so I decided to train with him even though I did not sign up. I have no desire to run one. I know that sounds really strange since I'm training with him. It gets lonely running for over 3 hours by yourself. But we're only up to 16 miles. If I do the math, I'd still have 10.2 miles left. And that is still a long way to go. I told him I'd see how I felt about signing up after I ran his 20 mile run with him. Then I looked it up today and the marathon he is running is capped out. So if I decide to do it, and you know someone who signed up and doesn't want to run, let me know!

I need to reflect. Who would've thought Kyle would be training for a marathon when just 3 1/2 short years ago he was 60 lbs heavier and swore he'd never run a half marathon! Never say never.

I really have NO idea how the pregnant lady completed the marathon!! 2 times!!! She gets the cool award in my book. What a way to go into labor and not get induced.