Online secret journal

I've started an online journal and I'm psyched. Technically it is a blog, but it is private so only I can view it and I call it my online secret journal.

I'm terrible at keeping or even attempting to keep a journal. I blame being a South paw. My pinky never fails to smear the ink and I can't stand that. Also, my penmanship is lacking and I can't stand that either.

So here we go. Another blog to keep up, only this time it is for my benefit, and perhaps for the benefit of my very very far off future kin...

One of my life goals...completed!

I gave blood.

I have a list of life goals that Clark says I could complete in a week. Giving blood is on that list. Doing one (just one!) pull up/chin up is on that list as well. I may tackle that goal next.

Giving blood has been one of my life goals for a very long time. It is also something Clark has wanted me to do for a very long time. But I'll let you in on a secret. I hate needles. Just because I'm a nurse and I get to start IV's and give shots and vaccinations does not mean I am immune to the fear of needles. Little 25 guage needles don't scare me. It's the big 18 guages that freak me out. And I've always been told that huge needles are used when you donate blood. So I have never done it. And my other excuse is that I run and I need my energy to run, obviously.

Well I woke up on Monday morning and ran before leaving for the blood bank. I was pretty nervous the whole drive and through the whole interview process. When they stuck the needle in it did sting, but it wasn't a terrible pain. I didn't watch, of course. But I watched when the lady stuck the needle in Clark's arm and surmised that they use 16 guage needles. Those things look like capri sun straws! Clark beat me and took only 5 minutes to fill his bag; I took 10 minutes. Go figure.

Overall, it was a positive experience and I will donate again, it just won't be for awhile. I am still feeling a little sluggish two days later.

Salt Lake half marathon, sick day, MEGAFEAST

I have the worst head ache right now. And I could come back to this tomorrow but I know I'll find something else to do or watch (I hear Dexter is pretty good) and I will continue to neglect this blog. I have been a terrible blogger lately. For my three faithful followers, I do apologize. I hope these following pictures and captions make up for my lack of motivation. We'll start to get out and do more when the people who make our schedules finally decide to schedule us on the same nights. This crap is getting really lame, REALLY fast. Another reason I despise Utah, and it isn't even Utah's fault. Blast...

I had to throw this picture in. When I made turkey burgers and sweet potato fries the other night I noticed that it looked like a face. HA! I didn't even mean to do that. And we've been rocking huge beer mugs lately, minus the beer. Reminiscent of Germany, of simpler times, of not being grown up with grown up responsibilities. Have I mentioned lately that I don't like being grown up?

So I ran the Salt Lake Half Marathon the other weekend. Clark will be pissed if I don't blog about it (not just angry, but pissed) so I am now doing so. I ran it in my best time to date: 1:21.56.

I look so happy and chipper at roughly 6:50 am. Functioning on four hours of sleep.

The start of the race at Legacy Bridge.


Finishing at the Gateway. Fourth female finisher, 19th overall. I need to start running in small town races. I need some wins under my belt to bolster my confidence.

Collecting my post race goodies and body fuel. Cannot believe how nice the day turned out to be.

You wouldn't know it, but we're actually sitting in a McDonald's drive-thru after the race. Clark was "treating" me to breakfast after my new personal record.

Just the other day my good friend Heather from AZ dropped by, so we hit up Spoon Me frozen yogurt! I look sick and tired in this picture because I really was sick and tired. But it was so good to see a familiar face!

This is me later that same night before Clark had a "night out with the guys."

And this is what I did while Clark was out with the guys. Nasty mildew-y tile, I know. No amount of cleaning can get rid of it.

The other night Clark and I hosted MEGAFEAST and invited some friends over to partake of some ridiculously tasty fried chicken, twice baked potatoes and beef brisket. Here is the master chef who prepared every last chicken strip and potato and stringy piece of brisket. I did absolutely nada. And no, he's not gangsta, just trying to keep his luscious locks out of the food.

Literally hours and hours of preparation went in to MEGAFEAST.

He is so talented and amazing:)

MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm

These baked potatoes may look dull and boring here

but they sure do look shiny and tasty and voluptuous here.

I didn't get pictures of the actual feasting part of the night or of the Foosball tournament, but we had a good time.

I'm considering investigating some recipes online that Clark and I may really like (any ideas?). I need to become more domesticated than he is. It just isn't fair.

Around town

Clark and I have been perusing the City Guide here in SLC to find some good restaurants and dives. Last week we tried out the Hong Kong Tea House and Restaurant in hopes of eating some good Chinese food.

It was fantastic. And we both left full, which is a feat difficult for any restuarant to accomplish. Thoughts of the sesame chicken and mongolian beef are making my mouth water as I type...

Luckily, the restaurant is right next door to the venue where we are seeing this band in a few weeks. I guess we'll just have to give the Hong Kong Tea House some more of our business before the show!

WinCo Love

Do I win anything for eating an entire pound of chocolate covered raisins in 16 hours? Ahhh, it was worth every penny and every calorie. I can't wait to go back to Winco and get more.

Three things I love about WinCo:

1. They are cheap and still let you use coupons! (For the first time in my entire adult life, I used two coupons the other day. I've never wanted to become someone who just buys something because they have a coupon for it and I definitely never want to become a woman who stands at the register and says "wait, did I give you a coupon for that?" and then go rummaging in my "coupon organizer" in my purse to find a coupon and save a whopping .25 cents....uggghhh, those women kill me. I did however purchase three items with my two coupons. Frozen fruit, and two cans of Chili beans that are a great side to tah-dig. Let me tell you, saving $1.25 was awesome.)

2. Parking is never an issue and the lot is never near full. I have come to realize that Utah people love them some Costco but don't care so much for WinCo. Too"ghetto" I presume.

3. I love feeling like a kid in candy store when I stroll through the bulk foods isle. And there are lots of goodies in the bulk food section so I guess I am that kid in the candy store. That would explain why I bought a pound of chocolate covered raisins and ate them all in less than a day...

See you in a week and a half, WinCo.

You've got to be kidding me!

Taken on April 12, 2010.

I can hear birds chirping in the trees but can I really trust spring is on the way when it continues to snow in mid April? I am all about spontaneous weather, but COME ON.

Spring?

April snow brings May flowers? Isn't it supposed to be spring?
We took these photos on Tuesday April 06 at about 3:00am (we work nights). Easter weekend was kind of spring and then this happened...