Rants, Recipes, and Running

Wow. Where do I begin... It's  been a rollercoaster of a few weeks. Ryan is supposed to be coming home tomorrow. He's been home for a week. (Yay!!!) Let me tell you about last week. We went from thinking we were going to be spending 6 months in Fargo ND near family, then it was going to be Nashville, TN, then it was going to be Syracuse, NY, then it was back to Fargo. The funny thing about this life is it warps your brain to not even care where you're going -- you just want to know. But the amazing news is....we are going to Fargo, ND on April 7!!! We still don't know what kind of living situation we will have. That is changing on a hourly basis. Literally every day Ryan comes home with new "news". I don't care. I'll live in a box. Well, my company won't approve of that. But you get the point ;) As thrilled as I want to be - it's hard for me to take the excitement seriously. It changes so much that I almost am starting to feel lik...

Resolutions? Goals? Bucket List. Because I like lists. 2017 - bring it on. This is my list, in no particular order of importance - just things I'd like to check off the list when we ring in 2018 next year... It makes me fill better if I was unable to check something off the list. In opposed to "I didn't reach my goal." or "I failed miserably at the resolutions this year" Get my recipes organized Qualify for the Boston Marathon during my 2.24.17 marathon -- (goal time is 3:25) Run a half marathon in 1:35 Run 2017 miles Don't miss mass. Become a subject matter expert in at least 2 quality areas (boring work stuff) ;) By the end of the year, be submitting application to become a coach at work (which is my companies term for a "manager") Visit NYC Touch the Statue of Liberty (do they let you do that?) Run in Central Park Eat a hot dog from a New York City hot dog stand. (I don't even like hot dogs...but it's necessar...

And just when I felt like I was getting into a rhythm of 2016....2017 is knocking at our door. I entered 2016 thinking life would be very different than how it turned out! And that's not such a bad thing! This is a long post - but a lot happened in 2016. These yearly recaps are always fun to look back on for myself. So don't feel obligated to scroll through a dissertation of my life in 2016 ;). January - I started the year off on January 1 with a 20 mile run, for a marathon I was training for that I never got to complete because I had to go to Tampa, FL for training for my new job. Why yes I'm still bitter, because I have trained for 5 marathons, and only been able to race and complete 2. Our house went on the market on January 6, as we were getting ready to start our migration around the country. We had a cash offer by January 10. We were moved out by January 25 - and entered apartment living! (Our 1st time in the 8 years we have been together!) February - I ...

I know, I know - Thanksgiving was 2 days ago. But I have to do a little reflection post of the season. I also haven't had a personal computer for several weeks. (long story). So alas, I make time for a little reflection and tribute post to those things I am thankful for. Because isn't the entire holiday season a time of thanksgiving, love, and joy? I write this post at a Starbucks in Las Vegas, as my dear husband does grad schoolhomework. For the hotel he is living at for 3 weeks has unreliable Wifi. Needless to say, he is excited to come home! ;) So greetings from Sin City! 2016 has been a whirlwind of a year. We have had many changes and different things thrown at us, and when I look back to a year ago - I feel like I, too, have changed. But if you aren't changing, you aren't growing. I am thankful for a home . The obvious shelter, air conditioning, pillow to rest my head on. But beyond that....we purchased a new home this year that will be our "foreve...

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who had all these dreams. But then life got sort of comfortable. College was really quite easy for me. Then I got into the career - and there were moments where I obviously struggled and said "This is REALLY hard", and perhaps I would come home some nights shedding a few tears because nursing can suck.  But the reality I found is -- as long as I worked a little harder than those around me -- it was pretty easy to advance and be known as a top performer.  So why go to grad school? Why become a Nurse Practitioner like I originally planned? Why not just sail through my career - stay comfortable - accept the opportunities I find - and just enjoy life? The past few months have been kind of a struggle for me mentally. I work 40 hours a week. And life is busy! But my brain is feeling a little, well, under-used. (I don't even think "under-used" is a word. See?? I'm turning to mush!!)  There is this voice...

I'm sure the title of the blog post could raise a few eyebrows to those who know me well. Ryan and I will be celebrating our 7th (!!!) Anniversary in about 2 weeks. Which is really hard to believe. Over the past few months, I have been asked about "The 7 year itch". To be honest, I wasn't really familiar with that. So I did a little googling. What is the 7 year itch? Well, besides a movie from 1955. It is a phenomenon that occurs in many marriages. Scenario #1: The couple has raised 1-2 children through the sleepless and stressful infancy years. They reach 7 years of marriage, and they have lost touch with their bond. And they get the itch to seek other things, lifestyles, or in some cases, relationships. Scenario #2: The couple have spent enough time together that they realize they are not excited about their partner anymore. A philosopher once said that the human develops in "7 year cycles". These changes/cycles can be mental, emotion, and physical...

Tonight has felt a bit surreal, so I figured a good ole' blog post was due. A little over 5 months ago....we were packing up our house. And during that time, I thought the next time we "pack up", we would be heading to Texas and then on to South Dakota. I had a completely different job. And almost a different life (!?) 5 months ago, I never would have imagined that the next time we moved...it would be into a home in Tucson! It is insane how much life can change in such a short amount of time. I'm kind of pinching myself. Any who asked me over the past month "How is the apartment?" .... they most likely received sort of a negative response. In my defense...I work in this apartment for 40+ hours per week, and Ryan is working night shift. So it's just been a little "too close for comfort" But in reality, this apartment has been great for us. Really made us appreciate our space, our city, and the luxury of a back yard! The countdown is ...

So as I recently stated, life has had a lot going on lately for the "Nastase's". And when things tend to get busy, I tend to play the "what if" game. Ryan has temporarily put a band to my "what if" game. So to get that all out of my system, I'm referring the " journal jar prompts " and talking "if's" today! If you could have dinner with anyone currently alive, who would it be? I have to say my family. There's really no celebrity, polician or other person in the world I'd rather sit around the table with than my Mom, Dad, siblings, and their families! If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be? The BFG, otherwise known as "The Big Friendly Giant". Remember the book by Roald Dahl? The 1st time I read this book as a child, I had night terrors over this Friendly Giant. Which is ironic, because if I remember correctly, The BFG lived in the girl's closet and delivered good...

I'm going to continue with my "writing project", and today the theme is "landmark events". This is fitting theme for the week. I'm not ready to share the big news, but let me just say my head is spinning from a VERY BIG week!  Write about your first crush.  My 1st crush was a boy at the lakes. Name: Alex. He was "good looking" (for a 12 year old), funny, rebellious, and he had no curfew. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for being so strict and giving me a curfew!! Sometimes I play a little game with myself, and think about what life would be like if these crazy "crushes" from my youth would have persisted. How different my life would be .  That is all I'm going to say! (LOL!) Write about your first week in college. Exciting!  I could not wait to get out of Wyndmere, ND!! I was making new friends every day, my classes were so exciting and interesting. Coming from a high school class of 24 to class sizes of >300 was invigorating...

While out and about last weekend, I stumbled upon a book with "things to write about" - which inspired this series I will be posting about sporadically. I say sporadically, because I am not a very consistent blogger ;) I thought a childhood theme would be a fun place to start! Feel free to join in! 1.   What was your favorite toy?  I definitely have fond memories of this baby doll that you filled with water, so it felt life-like. This is funny to me -- because I'm not a "baby person" in my adult life. But that is the toy that comes to mind 1st for me 2.  Did you ever get lost? Several times. The one that sticks out most vividly was when my family went to Paridisio (a Mexican restaurant) and I went to Pizza Hut (which was next door). I was probably 3 or 4? I remember sitting in a booth, and finally realizing my Mom, Dad, and 4 siblings were not there. I ended up finding someone to help me get to the restaurant next door! I believe my parents ended up call...

Is it possible that 2015 is coming to a close? Just as I was getting into the "groove" of the year, it's gone like the blink of an eye! And what a year it was. We had a lot of time to reflect on the year, and look forward to the upcoming year over Christmas -- which I will be blogging about soon. But Ryan and I got an unexpected 27 hour drive twice in 1 week! ;) Lots of time to reflect, talk, and plan. May I also add that the fact that I still couldn't wait to get home from work to share my evening with him today, tells me that I married the right dude :) Alright, here are my 2015 highlights!  We got a puppy who stole our hearts: Miles. This little ball of fur taught me to put others' needs before my own. And brought us so much joy (and some messes).  In February, we did another Ragnar (my 4th): Ragnar del Sol in Phoenix. We did this with a group of close friends, and it was an absolute blast! 30 hours filled with adventure, challenging ...

Friday was my Golden birthday! Funny story about that..... Confession time : I lie about my age . Almost daily. I tell people I'm older than my actual age, so I am taken more seriously. Especially at work. Because in my experiences, when I tell them how old I actually am, they automatically judge me as some irresponsible, 20-something who still gets her bills paid by Mom and Dad. And it infuriates me so very much ! Because I am a 20-something who is paying off a mortgage, enjoys gardening, reads "Southern Living" magazine, and talks frequently about "retirement savings" with her spouse. Because I lie so frequently about my age, I got confused about how old I was turning this year. So I swore I was turning 28. Come to find out, it was 27! This was discovered 2 days before my birthday, when my husband had to politely ask me to " do the math, babe ." It was an amazing weekend packed with all the things I love! Friday was the actually birthda...

I really need to do a "re-cap" post on my birthday weekend, but that will come later. Instead, I am stealing my sister's post idea from today - called "little letters". Dear Miles (our 15 week old puppy), I take one rest day a week, where I sleep until 6 am. Could you please get it right, and sleep in as well? It sure would be lovely to have one day of the week where I sleep past 5. :) Sincerely, Tired Pet-Owner Dear March 11 , Please get here soon. I have 7 work days left, and it is so tough to be present when not just my foot , but my entire leg is "out the door". Your truly, Tendered Resignation Dear March Weather, In opposition to the rest of the county, I would like you to linger. Soon it will be 90 degrees on my 5 am runs and 100 degrees when I get home from work in the evening. I'm savoring these pleasant 70 degree days. Sincerely, Runner Who Doesn't Like Rhabdo Dear Cubical-mate , Please go see your ENT doctor and get those ...

We all know how unpleasant I find it, when people make the constant remark of "Are you pregnant?". I'm pretty sure this one has come up in rants' past. But just a refresher: Just because you are at childbearing age, it is possible to be tired - and not be with child. Just because you are at childbearing age, it is possible to be nauseated - and not be with child. Just because you are at childbearing age, it is possible to lose your keys - and not be with child. Just because you are at childbearing age, it is possible to not want a glass of wine - and not be with child. Just because you are childbearing age, and you have any one symptom - it doesn't mean you're frigging pregnant!! Now that we have that cleared up. :) Here's the other comment I find almost on a daily basis. (when I'm not being asked when I'm planning on getting pregnant, or why I don't have kids yet, and when am I going to have kids...) "Just wait unt...