Fashion Investment

Well, we got the much anticipated snow. It was pretty amazing and I was in shock when I woke up Saturday morning to the glow of the moon on all the white stuff. I felt like the kid in "A Christmas Story" when he wakes up to winter white Christmas morning, except there weren't any presents to open or family nearby.

I have been cooped up in my home alone ever since. At first, it was awesome because I had the opportunity to do some things I always neglect because of a busy schedule. I was fine until about 6 last night. Cabin fever sunk in and I had been watching Food Network, Man v. Food, and other food shows all day. I WAS STARVING. Sure I had all of this food from the store to satisfy an Army's appetite. What I didn't have were hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken. Those were things I was craving. Those were the featurs on all of the cooking shows. I finally just went to bed hoping for a better Sunday. After realizing I wasn't going to be driving anywhere again today, I decided to walk over to the Harris Teeter for 3 reasons: 1) to get out of the house, 2) to have some sort of people interaction, and 3) for milk. The last reason was the least important.

As I walked over I realized something. The most valuable pair of footwear I own was purchased in 1995.

Reflect back to the era of grunge music, flannel shirts, and Timberland boots. The Christmas of my junior year in high school I had to have these boots. I grew up in the South, so these Gore-Tex boots from L.L.Bean weren't intended for weather. I was actually wearing them...with outfits. My folks probably shelled out around 100 bucks for these 15 years ago but today they were priceless.

The snow drifts were easily a foot deep in places, so these boots kept my feet not only dry but warm. What was originally intended to look good has turned into an investment for winter weather. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Caught Up!

I grew up in the Valley of Southeast TN. Snow was not common. In fact, the threat of snow was laughable. We just didn't get it there often (unless you recall the blizzard of '93). Moving to VAB didn't change the comedy of snow warnings. Well, this place is all up in arms right now. Rumor on the weather channel is we are expecting 6-12 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow. I had a 25k race scheduled for tomorrow morning, but it was cancelled because of the scare. I figured it might just be worth the fear if the Striders cancelled the race. I don't know if you know many runners, but serious ones don't cancel runs unless it is absolutely necessary. Well, in the midst of all the weather talk, I figured I should probably go to the grocery store. If I lost power, I would starve to death. I made the stop after work today with the rest of Hampton Roads and something that I cannot explain came over me. I started buying soda, crackers, and cereal, items I rarely ever buy. Before I knew it, I was filling my cart with all kinds of foods I never buy. I watched everyone around me stock up and I did the same. Now, I failed to register in my own head that those around me were probably buying for several others. I was just buying for me. What can I say? I just got caught up...

Miracle Product

Whenever I visit my hair stylist (is that what they are called these days?) I always walk away with shiny, soft, and beautiful hair. It's so drastically different than what I'm use to, I often wonder where this hair comes from. How can it be so different than when I go home and wash it myself. I often complain to her how horrible it looks when I'm in charge. This time I decided to at least put some effort into discovering how I can imitate her artistry.



For the last few visits, she has only applied one product to my hair. So, I asked what in the world it was. Perhaps this was the magic?

May I present to you what I believe is straight from the good Lord: Moroccan Oil. This little bottle came home with me and I used it for the first time today. It is an oil, so you have to be careful but it was the trick I needed. My hair looks silky smooth and feels so soft. This stuff is miracle working! Don't walk, run to your nearest hair product buying place and get your own. You will thank me for it.

Buy 2, Get 1 Free

I joined a book club at the end of last year. I was invited by a co-worker/then officemate to join her and some other women for a Classic Fiction Book Club. The one thing I love more than reading is a reason to buy more books. So, I joined up! We try to meet up once a month and chat about the book, vote on a new book, and eat snacks. Pretty much a good time.

Last night we met up for discussions on Ivanhoe. As a group, we voted to read this book. I personally wanted to read it because of the Robin Hood cameo. Unfortunately, I never "met" Robin Hood because I couldn't get past page 105. Sir Walter Scott was definitely paid by the word because this novel was verbose to the extreme. I like to be engaged in the book at least by page 50! He lost me. I had zero motivation to read. The only good thing about it was my ironing has been done for the last month since I would rather do that than read Ivanhoe. Extreme? Maybe...

Fortunately, I was not the lone quitter. There were other quitters in the group. Quitters love company. We decided on the next few months and I concluded in my mind that I would stop by the Barnes and Nobles and pick up February's book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. I was a little disappointed in myself for giving up, so I was determined to redeem myself by not only purchasing the next book but also beginning the next book.

I stopped into the Chesapeake Barnes and Noble on my way home and noticed the hardback classics near the door and a big red sign: "Buy 2, Get 1 FREE". What if they have the next 2 books? Then I could buy them both and get a freebie! I began to search through the stacks on the table. I found Uncle Tom's Cabin immediately. Hip-Hip! March's book is Mansfield Park, so I started looking for it. They had several Jane Austen novels and I just kept looking for the one. Maybe it would be there. That would be so awesome! I began to give up when I realized something very wonderful. There were books under the table! Could my first Jane Austen novel be among the books beneath the table? And there it was! I felt like the heavens parted and the Hallelujah chorus was belted out by a choir of angels. It was the greatest feeling I've ever had buying books. So, I'm prepared for February and March book club. And the freebie? I got Volume 1 of Sherlock Holmes for kicks!

That was the best book buying experience I have ever had.

Guilty Pleasure

I find that people love to impress others by their music preferences. In some circles, if you can name bands that other people haven't heard of you are way cool, indie music cool. Or if you want to further confirm your southern heritage, you announce your music heart belongs to Lynard Skynard or Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The stereotypes can go on and on. I personally am a sucker for some classic rock and 80s music with synthesizers. However, recently I have discovered a musical guilty pleasure.

Taylor Swift is stinkin' adorable. I recently admitted this fact to some dude friends at work and learned I AM NOT ALONE! These grown men who are cooler than cool love her, too. Her innocence and charm have pulled me into her fan club. In fact, I even spent money and bought her CD! In the days of iTunes and CD-R drives, I rarely buy music. But I'm so impressed with her that I made the monetary investment. Plus, it doesn't hurt that I went to college with the dude in this picture, her producer.

An Equation of Love

I witnessed a strangely amusing scenario today at work. It further confirmed a man's love of sport defines his love for another man.

There are very few employees from our VA Beach office that have added Suffolk to their office rotation. So, I have to make new friends. My office is located across from a very energetic and playful recruiter. The man is bursting with personality. Naturally, I enjoy fun people so we speak every once in a while. Today the topic turned into football. He goes on to tell me that he loves the Philadelphia Eagles. He explained to me that very few things stir up emotion inside him besides football. He further explained that he actually went to counseling last year when they traded one of their players. I giggled and said, "Are you serious?" He says, "Well, I had a few free sessions so..." I went on to inform him that my other VAB counterpart was also a huge Eagles fan. The man's eyes lit up like I just told him Santa Clause was real. (Sidebar: I have no idea what anyone's eyes would look like if I told them Santa was real because I have only done the opposite. I imagine the oppposite of tears would be what I saw.) Well, his excitement caused me to second guess myself that perhaps I was incorrect and my other co-worker loved the Steelers. I made my way to PSG's office to confirm the recruiter's excitement. I was correct and once again saw excitment of a child in a grown man's eyes.

I thought it was cute how they both talked about how they can't wait to talk to the other. I began to return to my office with PSG following so he could speak to the recruiter about their shared love. What happened next still makes me laugh. The 2 grown men, who have known each other for all of 3 days and have probably spoken no more than 3 words to one another, embraced. You would have thought they just learned they were long lost brothers, separated at birth. They began to reminisce about recent good games and share anger about disappointing ones. I observed a new brotherhood formed.

I wonder if they will wear matching Eagles jerseys on casual Friday?

Almost Heaven

Working at a coffee shop is probably alot like being a drug dealer. I was a casual user in the beginning, but then when I started to work there I got it for free. Obviously, that increased both convenience and accessibility. But once I left, the addiction did not subside. Now I'm a hot mess! Well, in the time I spent at 7911 I developed some fantastic friendships and a number of them are still employed by Howard Schultz. As a result, there are plenty of pounds of coffee markouts to be shared and thankfully they remember dear old me. Which leads me to today and a thought that was confirmed in my mind: We, both former and current baristas, are all coffee snobs.

After spending 5 years of my life moonlighting as a barista, I have tasted most every coffee that came through that store. Collectively, baristas will typically agree on the "good" coffees and the "bad" coffees. There are a list of coffees that a barista will most likely point you towards when you inquire about the right coffee for you. Depending on the barista and their favorites, most likely they will suggest Sumatra, Gold Coast, or, for the wimpier ones, Breakfast Blend. (I have to agree with them most of the time except for Sumatra. The only time I enjoy that taste is with savory things like cheeses. I know it sounds weird, but it is true. Don't knock it till you've tried it.) The real excitement begins when the seasonal selections are available. Watch the barista's eyes light up when the Seattle order brings Anniversary Blend or Casi Cielo. This brings me to this post. My friend and former co-worker, Kerry, sends me a text on New Year's Day "We have Casi Cielo!! So next week, if you want my markout, you're more than welcome." This is a pretty big deal for the coffee snob.

This morning I drank the last of my Thanksgiving Blend (which was exceptionally good this year) and remembered that I could have Kerry's markout. So on my way to church this evening, I stopped in the store to pick it up. She was working and so we chatted for a second and then I saw there was another seasonal coffee from Mexico. I've sort of been digging the Latin American coffees lately and this one made me curious. So, I start asking the baristas if they have tried it. My buddy, Ro, was working and he gives me this look like, "Are you crazy?" I was confused until he said, "Mindy, Casi Cielo is back. Is there a question about which one to get?" You know what, he was right. Why would I even consider something else when coffee beans from heaven are sitting right there on the shelf. I picked up my bag and brought it home.

Tomorrow morning I will enjoy this rich, smooth, and slightly sweet goodness on my longer than usual commute to work and think, "It's just like heaven."

16 in 28

Let me begin by saying the last 2 weeks have definitely been "holiday" in my life. I have been less than dedicated to my training and skipped the 20 mile run and only did 6 miles for my Christmas long run. I made a decision to throw caution to the wind in my eating for the Christmas season and it didn't help with my running routine. Well, what is behind me is behind me and I'm back on board for my March 21 commitment.

This morning we decided to drop back to 16 miles since it has been over 2 weeks since our last long run. I'm thankful for that because we were able to complete the run better than our first 16 mile attempt. We actually cut 5 minutes off the time with a 3 hour and 6 minute finish.

The temperature gauge on my car said 28 degrees at 6:15 this morning. There is this balance you have to achieve when running in the cold weather. Initially, you want to layer and layer because it is so freakin' cold. But you can't. After the first few miles, you generate so much heat that you are sweating and uncomfortable. Karen and I discussed our appropriate level of layering at length before going out. I probably could have handled a tank top under my shirt to add to my torso warmth, but all was well. The saving grace this week were handwarmers furnished to us from a friend of mine. We put them in our gloves and that piece of warmth kept us going. I found myself clenching the warmers everytime I felt a gust of cold wind as if that little piece of heat would provide full body comfort. It was probably all in my head, but I believe it did just that! Other than the unforgiving wind at the beach, nothing noteworthy occured on the trek. I'm really enjoying these long runs. I must admit, my legs started to get uber tired at mile 15, which at least says I'm comfortable at 16 miles.

Next weekend we begin the Distance Series Races. First up is a 20k. I'm hoping we do it in 2 hours exactly. That would make me pretty happy.