Rants, Recipes, and Running

I've had some deep posts lately, so I'm going to lighten things up today and talk about what has made me smile lately. Pomegranates . They're in season, and they're delicious. They are great with feta and spinach. This is the 1st year I've started using them. And oddly enough, I find cutting a pomegranate kind of relaxing.  Cold temperatures . Everyone else in my town is miserable, and I'm smiling ear to ear. I love soup, sweaters, warm pajamas, and hot tea. Running . Cool temps + training for a Ragnar race = lots of running. Makes me smile. Blissful last evenings. Ryan will be leaving soon -- and we both know that. So every moment we get together is savored, pleasant, and happy. Teaches me a little lesson about "savoring the moment". Incense . I've been on an incense-burning kick lately. It makes me feel calm. My days off . The ER's across the country are insane right now. Flu season + post-Christmas season (people try to wait through...

Day 1 of Operation Deep Freeze is over. I can't help but snicker when this happens here in Southern Arizona. Out temperatures hit 24 during the night, and the media and citizens pop a hernia over it. However, when I lived in North Dakota -- and night of only dropping to 24 meant spring is coming! In the defense of the desert rats, the ramifications are a little different here when it gets cold. We have constantly running pool pumps. We grow gardens year round. Our pipes are only a few feet under the ground. So if your pipes are not well-wrapped and insulated -- you will not be showering in the morning. I am speaking from experience. 2 years ago, I was unaware of this side effect of Tucson's deep freezes and didn't get to take a shower in the morning due to frozen pipes. So far, the only damage is a dead geranium plant and a frozen Tulsi Tea plant. I pray I can revive the Tulsi plant! Love my fresh tea. So enough "cold" talk....let's talk about somethin...

Is it really a new year? I didn't even get to make my bullet-point list of goals for the next year. I know one shouldn't make excuses for themselves, as it's a nasty habit. However, December wiped me out. Our house literally became the revolving door for entertaining, hosting christmas shin-digs, you name it! It didn't stop until the clock striked 12 on 01/01/13. And I realized, "Shoot, it started and I didn't even make any resolutions". (But I will say the month of December was an absolute BLAST. I love Christmas season!) Another large influence for my lack of setting any goals is the big life-changer that is about to happen in....3 weeks. I kiss my best friend and love of my life goodbye. The 1st 6 weeks, he's allowed 1 phone call home. For the past 6 years, I don't think we've gone a single day without at least exchanging texts. Although the past 1.5 years he's traveled a lot and we've had months where he's out of town more th...

So today I'm not delivering a recipe (although I'm due for one). I'm not talking about running. I come to you with a rant. (Hence the name of my blog). I am not going to apologize in advance. However, I will place a warning. Some may find this a senstive subject. Some may think I'm being rude. I also want any people who know my on a person-basis to know I'm not directing this at any one person. In fact, as I deliver my disclaimer, I pray that maybe this turns a light bulb on. I hope this knocks some common sense. I hope this teaches some God-forsaken common courtesy. You know, manners. (Here comes the sass) I start by asking a simple question. Have you ever been sick? Have you ever felt so sick that all you yearn to do is lay your head down...be it a pillow, a germ-infested-stiff-moldy-airport chair, or a bathroom floor? You don't feel like talking about it, because all you want to do is lay down. Now imagine feeling that way because you have the flu, y...

One of the biggest struggles I've always faced is letting my concern and worry for what's to come, affect my current state of mind. I got in that run this week, and am giving myself an offical swift kick in the you-know-what to snap out of that! I've been distracted lately. A lot of big changes face my future - and although they are exciting changes. All change comes with some form of compromise. As some of you know....my husband got a pilot spot with the Air Force, and will be starting training in January. The 1st 5 months, he will cycle through being gone 6 weeks, home for a few, gone 6 weeks, home for a few. Then in June, he moves to Mississippi for 13 months for UPT school -- where he officially trains on the jets. (But will then return to Tucson :D) Here are the options I have: a) Stay in Tucson. Keep my job that I love. Man the house solo. Live on the completely other side of the country from my husband and best friend. Miss out on a huge part of his life. Eve...

Since June ( and since I've really decreased my frequency in blogging ) - I have made some changes in my life! #1 - I landed my dream nursing job and became an ER nurse. I have learned so much thus far, and absolutely LOVE the fast paced environment. Now it would really be my dream job if I didn't have the work all these weekends and Holidays. But, unfortunately illness has no concept of convenience and time. In addition to moving to to the ER....I've also become certified as a fitness instructor! I'm actually certified in a specific classed called "Body Attack" -- which is a sports-inspired, agility & strength work out. In other words, no matter what fitness level a person is at -- this class is guarenteed to kick their a$$!! To learn more about it -- click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSB8GOKVugE&feature=related  -- and look for your nearest Les Mills Sponsored club to find more great classes! (there's my marketing spin for the day.) ...

So this weekend is that time of the year where Ryan attempts to take me up the mountains and deep into the woods to see if I can be eaten by a bear...... I'm partially kidding. But seriously, we are going camping this weekend -- which is one of our most favorite things to do together as a couple!! So many amazing memories have been created on our camping trips. And so many interesting memories as well...(like our experiments with cheap row boats, nearly freezing to death, and meeting some true hill-billy fishermen). Remember those hill-billies, Lora (if you're reading this)?! This camping trip we strategically planned it 3 miles away from "Oktoberfest" on the top of Mount Lemmon. Beer, German food, and German bands/polka dancing in 70 degree temps? It doesn't get much better than that! Now we don't have to drive the hour home, we will just ride our bikes back to our campsite. Most people that enjoy camping during their adult life, enjoy it because they...