It's raining caterpiallars?

 

These guys were not there last night. These little black things are caterpillars.

 

I went for a short run this morning and when I got back to the house I had a seat on the steps leading into the house/to  the porch. I kept hearing this random dropping noise. It was too small for a branch but too soft sounding for an acorn.

 

When I turned around I saw these things all over the porch.

 

I am assuming the falling noise  was the caterpillars. I also came to the conclusion that these guys must have come falling from the sky or something. There were no trees directly over the house or porch so I am not sure.

 

My conclusions are they are actually on top of the house and are trying to learn to fly way before they have wings.

 

Or, they were actually being brought back to the nest of some bird, but they wiggled too much that right as the bird was flying over the house it feel out of it's mouth and to its doom.

 

Either way, my porch had a whole bunch of these things and they weren't moving. Gross.

Medal!

Medal for getting 3rd in my age group at a10k race.

This post ended up kind of a part two from my previous post Small Races. In that post I talked about one the advantages in smaller races was less people so slower people like me might actually have a chance to win to place. I had placed third in my age group in my last race. I didn't know that at the time and had went home before the awards had been announced.

Well, when I got home last night I found a package on my counter. New Dude had checked the mail and brought it and forgot to tell me about it.

When I opened it up, I was super excited to see they had been kind enough to mail me my MEDAL!

Technically I've gotten medals before, in some of the bigger races. I love those medals because they are usually for some longer races and any race I cross the finish line I count as a win.

However, this is my first medal I had won that wasn't by default. I agree a win is a win, but if you're one of 3, well it isn't the same as saying I was able to get third out of, oh lets say 7.

I am excited. I have my first medal. I had gotten 3rd at another race earlier this year, but hadn't waited around for the awards, I never received it. This one has arrived and I am thrilled.

Whoot whoot!

Alright, excitement still here, but I'll stop now.

Has anyone else won something you didn't know about and were surprised to find out later? Let me know your story with a comment below!

Hunt Club Weekend

This weekend, my adventure was a family gathering. New Dude came with me to meet the rest of siblings and family friends, and just other people that are apart of my life.

We left Friday night, a bit later then I had planned in my mind, but that is okay. One thing I am learning is that two people, apparently, take more time to get ready then one person.

We arrived that night, said our hellos, had a drink or two and headed to bed.

I had the pleasure of having crazy dreams about being stabbed and looking for help. Good thing it was just a dream because when I woke up it was time for pancakes. 

Soon we were setting up food, tables, all the guys started to pull out all of their toys, and by toys I mean guns of all sorts. They ranged from pistols to shot guns and rifles.

The boys spent a lot of time hanging out, talking, and shooting targets. Up the hill by the house was what in my mind, was the kids holding pen.

There were about 4 kinds 3-8 and about 5 babies a year or less old. It was toys, and diapers, and food, with a circle of women, grandpas, and moms hanging out talking.

Someone joked about this being a BYOB event, Bring Your Own Baby. I was like sorry, I just had beer.

It was a really great day. The food was fantastic, the company chill and fun. All the babies were entertaining to watch.

The boys had two shooting contests, one with shot guns and one with pistols. New Dude won the pistol competition. I was super excited for him!

We saw some people  fishing and pulled in a 53lb catfish. That things was huge.

New Dude and I went for a swim in the James River, where I found out that I have turned into a 5 year old. Little mineos trying to eat dead skin cells off my legs freaks me out. If sea weed touched me, I was also having issues. Most of the swimming was actually me climbing on New Dude while I was kicking my legs to keep the fish away. He mostly just laughed. Still fun, but I need to grow up a tad.

Random thought. What is it call sea weed if you can find it in lakes, steams, and rivers?

It was a great weekend. Lots of talk, stories, and fun and the rain held off enough not to make it too wet or hard.

On the way home we stopped at his grandpas house and then his folks house. It was going to be a little 2-3 hour visit, which turned into about a 7 hour visit. Apparently, they like me and New Dude, are also talkers.

Weekends like this just remind me how just hanging out with people, telling stories, and eating a little bit of food can be so much fun. Not every adventure requires helmets, power stuff, hours of hard work. Just a place where people can gather. The hunt club is by not means a resort, but it has everything you need, and is a great place for everyone to meet. The kids run around, the boys can be boys, the girls can sit and chat, and everyone walks away with a smile on their face.

Summer isn't over yet! Get out there and enjoy some outdoor fun with your family and friends!

Life Talks - Apartments and Roomates

Today's Life Talks is about renting and roommates.

Over the years I have had several roommates and lived in several different apartments, living conditions and here are just some of the things that I feel new people who are about to enter this new phase of life should know about.

Location:

When trying to figure out where you want to live you need to figure out what your needs are. Do you need to be close to public transportation. How far are you willing to walk to get to public transportation if you need it. For the area that you are moving too what kind of people to you see hanging out? What kind of car are on the streets or in the complex. Do you know anyone else who is from that area? If so do they know anything about the area? Check out your ideal locations both in the daytime and night.

Budget:

When trying to come up with this number it would be a great idea to first find out what your budget is. One of the other Life Talk - Money$$$ would be a great start if you don't know what your monthly bills are currently. Once you figure out that number look at how much is left and how much you are able to spend on rent. This number should be a total of everything, which could include any pet fees, utilities, and actual rent cost.

If you say your budget is $700 but the apartment is $650, that would be okay if the utilities are include. If they are not your $650 rent could actually end up costing you $800 a month, which will not work. Figure out what your able to pay each month and still be able to eat, have gas, and some fun money.

Roommate(s):

First thing to do is figuring out if you want any roommates and secondly if you do want them, who? You can find roommates in several different places. If you're going to a new area for school they might have a list. Or their are websites to help with that. There are also friends and family that might work as well. This decision is mainly if you would like them and also how many.

The Apartment:

Now this one also takes a little bit of time to figure out. This is making a list of wants verses needs. After you've figured out the above it comes down to a list of questions.

1. Apartment complex or houses or townhouse that can be rented.
2. How many bedrooms?
3. How many bathrooms?
4. Does size of the kitchen matter?
5. Washer and Dryer hook up in the unit? Or laundry mat on site?
6. Parking spaces?
7. Does what floor matter?
8. Pets or pet friendly?
9. Kids or kid friendly?
10. Schools near by?
11. Other requirements?

Now when you have viewed these apartments and you have these requirements there will be a couple of things that you'll also have to keep in mind.

1. Is there an application fee? If so, how much?
2. If they do a credit check and your credit isn't 100% amazing, can you have a co-signer?
3. What kind of deposits will be needed to put down?
4. Can you get these deposits back? 
5. What kind of rental agreements do they have? (month to month, 6 months, 12 months, two years etc.)
6. When would the move in dates be?
7. Are their any amenities included? If so what are they and what hours are they open?
8. What are the parking rules?
9. Do guests need to parking passes or to be in a specific location? (No one wants their friends towed.)
10. If the lease needed to be broken what kind of fines and penalties would there be? How much notice would need to be given?
11. If  you had a roommate, and they had to leave could you sub-lease the room?
12. When is rent due? Are there any late fees if it is late? If so, how much?
13. Who do you give the rent to?
14. What kind of payments do they take?
15. Do you need to turn on and or switch the utilities?
16. If something breaks who do you call?

Small Races

Mostly entertained by 365. I like it! Running 365!

I started off my weekend with a 10 local race.

I like local races for a few reasons that I shall now share with you:

1. I don't have to drive very far. Instead of taking up my whole weekend, I can roll out of bed, eat some food, drinks some water, grab my running gear and head out the door. I'd love to say more sleep, but it seems like sleep is a unicorn to me. Very seldom found.

2. The prices are usually lower. I can do a 10k for less then $30 most of the time. Grant it, the swag might not be as cool, and it has yet to include some free beer, however, it is nice to spend a little less. Plus they still have enough of my money to get my butt out of bed and to the start line.

3. I can actually see some of the same people I've run other race with. Or they'll have on swag from previous races that I've run and I'm like cool! In some of the races were there are 10,000 people, well minus, the people I bring with, I rarely see anyone else I know. For being part of the "running" community it is nice to see familiar faces.

4. I know it is helping a local cause right around where I live. I don't donate to anyone on the regular, but I know that all the races around me are for local causes. It makes signing up a little easier.

5. It keeps me motivated between big races. I have just signed up for the Richmond Half Marathon in November. These local races give me an extra intensive to get up and run for awhile on my Saturday. It keeps me honest and moving and pushing.

6. This is the newest one, I actually can make it in the top 3 in my age group. Never over all, those people are CRAZY! I have yet to get an award because I normally don't stay. I've never had a reason, but two of the last races I've run I was #3. This weekend's race I was 3 our of 7, but still it's a win. I guess I'm going to have to start to hang around longer to see what happens right? Kind of cool, kind of exciting. You cannot get that in the huge races, or at least I cannot.

What about you? Any of my other runner fans, why do you enjoy the smaller races? Let me know what a comment below!

Attack! In a bad way.

Hello there. This blog is about what you should not do to your face. Or really any skin you have on your body.

Gooey from Neosporin

The picture really says it all. It says, do not attack yourself because of one tiny little bump.

It says, do not use fingers when they are not doing anything.

It is says use patience and wait until you get home. Then kindly asks whomever there to instead help you out.

This picture says, sometimes a sewing needle is needed to make the white head come out, which is a lot less time, pain, and a lot cleaner.

This pictures says I learned this too late. Which means now I have this fun spot on my face.

It should go away.

I hope. We shall see. But this is not a burn of any kind, this is just my stupid leaking out. Don't be stupid, Don't pick your face.

Thanks!

Random Thoughts For Today

For the last hour I have been trying to write something down for today's blog. I want to talk about the amazing adventure I had on Saturday, however, I want to put pictures and do it justice. My attention span wont let me give the proper care, so I'm just going to write random things that have been bouncing around in my head.

Trying to figure out what specs and price I want and am willing to pay for when it comes to a new computer can get taxing and confusing. I know what I want but prices can be sometimes higher then I had hoped for. Plus where do you go? The big box store like Best Buy or on-line like Amazon.com or Newegg.com?

I went and saw the newest Wolverine movie. It is not something I would recommend. Huge Jackman looks really yummy, but his face constantly looking slightly pissed with the eyebrows pointing in started to hurt my forehead. The action was good. Lots of hits and punches, and crazy stunts and the characters were alight, but the plot and driving force from one element to another element...eh, half the time I was lost. Why does he all of a sudden have to do this? It just gets kind of why is he doing that? No idea. Save yourself some money and wait for it to come out and rent it.

I think one of my toenails is half dead. I first noticed it was weird when I looked down and it was purple underneath. That was about 2 months ago. Now the purple is all gone and it looks like it is pulling away from the toe. I attacked the nail with nail clippers last night and as far as I had cut down it should have hurt, it did not. New Dude said it probably separated form the quick. Awesome, a toe nail should be falling off my toe.

I have been running in the mornings with a friend/co-worker. I cannot get out of bed to do it for myself,  but add another person to the mix and I'm there. Weird right? Good news, we've been doing a pretty good job at it. I hate it the first 15 minutes getting ready and out of bed, but by the time the run is over, life is good again. Usually still tired, but good.

I finally built my drying rack I bought for my birthday. I am now going to try and use it for a few loads a week. To save energy and money. One of the first things I've learned is that it takes more time for things to dry this way. I thought a shirt would be good to go in about 6 hours, but apparently not. I also worry that since it is in the basement the clothes might smell like basement. I hope not.I might move the dehumidifier that I already have running in the basement over to that side to see if it helps.

I'm excited to learn how to put hardwood floors in Labor Day weekend. And possibly re-build a rock wall.

It is always better to curtsey flush then try and find a plunger. 

When unexpected bills show up I always wonder if I should pay them with a credit card or pull it out of savings. It usually ends up being decided on which one I get the least upset about.

Living more in the presence is harder to do then I would have thought. It also can take up a lot of your free time.

I bought New Dude two shirts and some shorts. They fit and so far he's enjoyed it. Win for me! First stuff ever bought clothes for my boyfriend!

I enjoy midnight showings of movies because of the crowd. Most movies that I've waited a year or more for I could wait another week or two, but the audience can make it so much more fun.

I shall not be doing a triathlon this year, however I have added another half marathon to my races to be run. Also, the goal to try and do a Tough Mudder. The first time my Brother-In-law suggested it I declined. I saw my cousin complete it and now I want to do it.

Sometime in the future I shall learn to can food.

I keep trying to avoid sweets and things like chips, working in an office environment makes it so much harder.

Alright that is all I have for right now. What you are pondering about and having clutter your head. Leave a comment below!