That Redheaded Sister

I am suffering from crazy jet lag right now.  I spent the whole week in Albuquerque, New Mexico for work.  Ive never been but heard it was a fun city.  I didnt get to see too much of the city because I was working the whole time, but what I did see was just ok.  I missed the Balloon festival by a week.  Darn

At the end of the trip, I was READY to come home, even if it is just for the weekend.  Yes, I am traveling again starting next week for the rest of the month.  I am working two shows up in Louisville and going to Chicago for my cousins wedding.  Come Halloween I am going to be drained.  No time for that though because first and second week is one of my large shows and around Thanksgiving is when I go into full planning mode for my BIG show in January.  I am not looking forward to that at all.  I know the client does not like me (they seem to dislike everyone that has been in my position), so I requested today to be moved to different shows.  Mainly because of the attitudes towards me and because in July I started taking my frustrations home and when I admitted that to my friend at work, I broke down crying.  That is so unfair to everyone and work should be left at work.

So now that busy season is in full swing, wedding planning isnt.  Or it has slowed significantly.  I am so grateful that both my parents want to help pay for this (even though I begged against it), but I am still without a budget.  When I started making a lot of progress in planning, poop hit the fan for my mom with my siblings.  My sister’s lame ass ex-boyfriend had his mom break up with her for him and  with her lease ending, my mom has been trying to help her through.  She and my stepdad are also dealing with custody issues with my brother (his mother really screwed up) and its been overly stressful for both.  I took a step back from my needs so they could all get through this.

Today I talked to my mom and I can tell she is not in the mood to talk wedding.  I brought it up slightly and that is where the conversation ended.  I tried to call my dad just to see what he would say because I REALLY need to come up with a budget, and he did not answer (which is typical) and I probably wont hear from him until I head up there in two weeks.  At that moment I wanted to say F this and lets go to the beach and elope.  If no one else is going to care, why should I?  I am doing this 100% alone.  My friends arent into this, my family, why should I care? (Selfish? No doubt, but planning a wedding is HARD work and I feel like no one really cares).

Sorry.  I am so frustrated right now.  I have a meeting with my first caterer next week and I am going alone.  DJ, Ill probably go alone. DIY projects, alone.  I am hoping when Matt gets home from work, we can sit down and talk about the check list.  I dont know what to ask him to do or what he will want to do.  I do know I dont want to hear “we have plenty of time” or “if you cant plan a wedding in two months, there is something wrong.” #^$*#&@#^#^@&#^@&#*&#&#

So lets talk about the fun part of the planning:

I made my bouquet!  I want to show you the whole thing, but I think it will be fun to leave a few things a mystery, dont you?  Here is a sneak peak:

Total cost: $39.  Not bad, eh?

I cant stop looking at it and the best part is I will have it forever!  Of course I will share with you how I made the pearl clusters (easy project).

Whats next: I am meeting with the caterer next week and I have to take more time off until I am back in town.  8 months until the wedding, but really 5 months left to plan.

Good news: I had my feet looked at last week and he said I do not have a neuroma, but damaged soft tissue.  He shot me up with some cortizone and my left foot feels MUCH better.  I am going back next week to do the same to my right and take a look at my running shoes.  I am THISMUCH closer to running again!  I CANNOT WAIT!

Time to get back to “what questions to ask your caterer” research.  A hug to everyone that survived wedding planning

Lets focus on some positives before we get into how this post got its name.

First:

I need you all to buy the new fall scent Glade has come out with, Rosemary Sage.  It is intoxicating.  I happened to run into it when I was grabbing dryer sheets at Target and said to myself we needed a new smell in the apartment (because it smells just like that, an apartment with used carpet).  I bought plugins and a candle and literally could not remove the candle from my nose.  I may have to buy more when I am at Target again because they are THAT amazing.

Second:

My sister picked out her bridesmaid dress!  I am so happy with how it looks on her.  It was one of the last in her pile and we were torn between three at that point.  When she put it on we both had that moment.  I guess the moment you should feel when you try on your wedding dress.  After narrowing it down to two of our favorites and having her retry the dresses on, she put this one back on and we had grins from ear to ear.  Not only was it adorable on her, but it as the exact color I am looking for so we could see it paired with the shoes everyone ordered.

The shoes. Sadly I cannot steal them from anyone

Her dress, exact color and all.

Stop it with the cute bow on the back!!

We have not ordered this dress yet because we had a strange experience at the store and these dresses were full price.  I am toying with the idea of ordering the dress online where it is much cheaper.

Third:

I am starting to feel overwhelmed with wedding planning.  There really is so much out there.  Next month I am meeting with a caterer and hopefully the DJ.  I have to go at these meetings alone because Matt works a different schedule, so he would not have time to make it.  What should I expect?  What do I ask?  Can I give them a price and see how they can work around it?  Same with the DJ…I have received quotes from three.  Two of the quotes had websites that didnt jump out at me and the information they provided was lacking something.  The third quote I received pumped me up and made me feel like they would be a great fit.  Problem is they are DOUBLE the price of the other two.

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Ok not to avoid it any longer….Im sidelined from running AGAIN!  Seriously?!  What is the problem NOW?  I have touched on this issue before, but never really cared or looked into it because it was really more of an irritating thing and not a full blown problem.  Now it is a full blown problem.

If you are looking at the bottom of your foot (go ahead, take your shoe off and look), do you see where your second toe meets the foot?  That is where my pain is.  Like I said, it was nothing more than an irritating feeling before but now it hurts to walk.  I can get a few hours of walking/standing in, but after that I am asking for trouble.  It hurts to touch it, but when I squeeze it the pain subsides temporarily.  Matt and I did some research and even though its a big no-no in doctors eyes, we may have found the problem.  Morton’s Neuroma, or just a plain Neuroma. I have the exact symptoms multiple websites have listed.  I KNOW I need to go to the doctor, but I just havent had the time.  Lies. 

This past weekend I was shopping with my mom and grandma.  While my gma and I were sitting to give our feet and legs a break, I mentioned the pain to her.  I kid you not, she said she had the EXACT same issue and the exact same pains I am having right now.  Before telling her my findings, she told me she was diagnosed with a neuroma.  WHAT?!  She had surgery to remove hers and has been pain free ever since.  After getting back to my mom’s and whining about the pain in my foot, my mom asked where it hurt and she said SHE is having the same issue!  WHAT THE SAUCE?  Is this some sort of crazy thing I can add to the list of things I need to yell at genetics about??

Needless to say, I am out of running for a little bit.  I can tolerate 5k runs, but no more.  I know I need to go to the doctor.  I just hate the shuffle of seeing 4 different doctors.

Any plans for the weekend?

Have you had to hire a caterer or DJ?  Do you have suggestions on how I should prepare myself for the meetings?

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had wonderful weekends and a great Mother’s Day.  This weekend was fun, busy, and lazy for me.  I was knocked out (not up) again this weekend and this morning by allergies.  I am really sick of them and they can leave anytime.

Last week was the first week of training for RnR Chicago.  While my numbers werent very high, I am really happy with how it turned out.  I am happy with my training plan and how my leg has been acting

Sunday – 2 Miles.  I wrote about my first unofficial training run last Sunday here.  I set out for a one mile test run to see how my leg would do after taking a month off and a lingering injury.  It did great for TWO miles.  Not only did my leg do really well, I found a new place to run.  It does stink I got into an accident on the way home from that run though. 

Monday -  1.5 miles.  My training plan has a lot of interval running which I like because it conserves my leg a little bit.  Monday I did 1 min run/2 min walk x 6.  Since it was still early into the getting back into my running groove, I felt ok about walking longer than running but had the itch to keep going.  Conserve Conserve

Tuesday – Rest day.  I was happy about a rest day.  I used it to roll my legs and put heat on my leg.  How funny that ice doesnt help any pain in my leg, but heat does.  Makes me think its not a bone injury. 

Wednesday – 2.2 miles.  Another day of intervals.  This time it was 3 min run/2 min walk x 5.  When I got on that treadmill, my leg gave me a heck of a time.  Once I actually started the pain melted away.  I think it was trying to psych me out.  I pushed my speed a little harder on this one. 

Thursday – 3 miles.  I ran this almost naked.  I had my Garmin, but forgot my music.  I am so glad I did.  I enjoyed every step of this run.  I was pain free.  I could hear my breathing (and yes I sound like I am about to keel over when I run) and I could focus on how great it felt.  I was a little irked when the map said my turn around point was 1.5 miles away and it was actually 1.1.  I have a feeling Garmin may have done a little lying. 

Friday – Rest.  I had a lot of cleaning to do around the house and finishing of my million projects

Saturday – 3.18 miles.  I signed up for a running group with a local running store, Phiddipidies to “Run the Course.”  It is a training program that incorporates parts of the Peachtree Road Race we are running in July.  I woke up at 6 am on Saturday and I was talking myself into skipping this.  It was 30 mins away, I knew I was going to be the slowest, my last running with a group from a store experience was bad, and I didnt know anyone.  I made myself go and boy I dont regret it. 

We started at the store and there were people from all different running backgrounds there.  Some were even walkers.  I talked to one of the guys from the store saying I was nervous because I am not fast and I dont want to be last (why do we ALWAYS think we will be last?  And even if we are, who really cares?  Its the act of DOING!)

We broke off into groups on the run (3 milers and 6 milers) and took off.  What I love the most about this group is the people from the store will always be with you.  My last experience you were on your own.  I chatted for a good 2 miles with a guy from the store about training and races.  Our course was HILLY!!  I was scared about my leg, but I walked some of the major hills just to slow everything down a bit.  They provided a water stop at mile 2 and it was awesome from there on out. 

When I got back to the store the first guy announced I was in fact NOT last and did a great job.  People started pouring in and while stretching a group of women were talking about their runs and said they were trying to keep MY pace but couldnt keep up.  WHAT?!  (I had no idea what my pace was because Garmin wouldnt locate a satellite).  I am usually the person holding people back on their runs, NEVER has anyone paced TO me.  I was so happy to hear that!

Plus we got some pretty awesome swag from Mizuno:

I also got to try Coconut water.  Not a fan.  Its too weird to me which is strange because I love coconut. 

Sunday – Rest.  I had a little too much fun the night before at a Zac Brown Band concert.  And it wasnt alcohol that knocked me out.  It was standing ALL night and jumping/dancing.  My legs were sore and screaming for me to roll them.  After a good roll, they felt amazing.  Plus my allergies kept me in bed most of the day.

Here are just a few images from this weekend.  If you follow me on Twitter (@Redheadedsis) you would have seen more.  LOL

No Matt was not at this event.  He has been in Florida all weekend visiting his parents and the kitties and I miss him.  I am ready to pick him up from the airport today.  It was so quiet around the house yesterday.  But we get to make it up next weekend because we are going whitewater rafting/camping in Tennessee with these people plus more.  I cant wait. 

How was your weekend?  Did you have a great Mother’s Day if you are a mother (and yes you are a mom to furbabies and fishy babies).

This is a late and semi frustrated post, but I want to know how you handle something.

I love reading and listening to your awesome running stories.  I laugh, I give virtual high fives, and sometimes I get teary eyed at your recaps.  I love when my friends text me and tell me what distance they accomplished or how many hills they did.  I am not one to resent you if Im on the sidelines and youre not.  When you are injured, I try to give you cross training advice because I have been there.  I AM THERE RIGHT NOW

Here is what irritates me.  People who can run forever and ever and never get hurt.  Not because they have super human bodies and run better than me or that im jealous, but because sometimes they can be ignorant about injury.  I am not saying all people are like that, but some are.

I have a few friends/loved ones that are like that.  They can run fast, hard, and far.  No pain, no aches.  Ive been hurt.  I have had a stress fracture, something bruised on the bottom of my foot, and now either a slight stress fracture or tendonitis.  So when my body tells me its starting to hurt even the slightest, I pull back.  I am not going to risk another awful injury.

What angers me the most is when I do pull back, the noninjurable say “suck it up,” “quit being a baby,” “oh stop, you are just making this up.”  They dont know whats its like to feel THAT pain.  The pain you have felt before.  Where its hurt so badly you know what is about to come.  They dont know and they think if they can push through their achiness, you should too.

Look, I know sometimes you just have to push through the pain to become stronger.  I know running is 90% mental.  I also understand your body tells you whats not right and its important to listen.  When I tell you something hurts, Im not just quitting because I want to, Im trying to preserve my body.

I guess it just seems to happen to me a lot with some of my running friends and Im tired of it.
Have you ever had to deal with this?

Dont worry, I just woke up (its def 9:45am).  I had a hard time sleeping last night and frankly it was nice to sleep in. I wanted to catch you all up on some things going around here (that is if you still read…its been a boring corner Im sure)

Running:  I ended up going to the doctor this week.  Mainly I went to get a physical and have my vitamin D levels checked (did you know MOST, if not everyone, is vitamin D deficient?)  I have to say I LOVE my new doctor.  We talked about EVERYTHING that I have ever gone through (did you know I was misdiagnosed with cancer once?  CANCER!)  I talked to her about my leg and she suggested for now to take ibuprofen and place heat on the hurting area.  I cant tell you how great my leg felt after doing it.  I have been applying heat each night and its been heaven. (She also diagnosed me with rosacea which answers a lot questions about my face breakouts)

That being said, I havent been running, but I introduced a new machine into my life, the bike.  I have only ever used the bike in spin class, so I was a complete newbie the first day.  Yesterday I feel like I had the best workout in a long time.

But I havent been attending the gym as much as I would like for a few reasons:

Exhibit A:9 different incidents on the roads home the other day.  9!  2 of which were in my direction.  I think that day it took me well over an hour to get home.

Exhibit B:
This day there were NO incidents, just congestion.  Lets gather around and watch the impending doom of the pink line approach.  (Pink means NO MOVEMENT)

Exhibit C: I eat too many carbs.  I could not figure out why I have been so tired this week and so unmotivated and I realized I havent been eating my protein like I should be.
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DIY:  I have so many projects going on right now, I dont know where to start.  I also have a few sitting in my picture folder just wanting to be written about.  Nothing crazy, but easy for those who say they are crafty enough (which you know is totally false)

I am ALMOST complete with my chair makeover and I have a few other things I am working on….slowly.  I hope next week I will have a few to show you.
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Baking: With us trying to eat healthy around here, baking has taken a big back seat.  I havent really had anyone to bake for either.  I have a ton of recipes lined up and I have been pinning like crazy (are we Pinterest friends?)
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Other: I started reading Hunger Games.  I know some of you think its lame because everyone reads it, but my thinking is if its a good book, why not read it.  I dont judge it because of the people that read it.  So what if millions of teenage angsty kids are reading it.

Guess what we are going today???  Ring shopping!!  We’ve been talking which explains the explosion on my wedding Pinterest board.

What is going on in your world?  Anything planned for the weekend?

Have you read books that people scoff at?  I read Twilight and loved every second.  Cant say that about the movies though

Did you know you were going to be asked to get married?  Did you pick out your ring? I actually told Matt I didnt want a ring (or something less real for now) so we could put the money toward a house/wedding (which will be a teeny tiny budget), but he INSISTS on getting a ring.  Plus HE has been bringing up weddings, so I decided to just start getting ideas…I do not kid when I say tight budget

I hope you all had a nice Easter/weekend.  Matt and I caught up this weekend and were pretty lazy if I must say so.  I got a few chores done, but we spent the majority of the time enjoying each others company.  He did take me to the driving range (my first time) to hit some golf balls.  I was on a roll for a while, but have you ever tried to properly swing a golf club?  There is so much thinking involved.

As you may know (or maybe dont care), my leg is feeling down in the dumps.  My suspicion is another stress fracture, but I am obviously not an xray machine.  It hurts, then it doesnt hurt, then it hurts some more.

Everyone tells me over and over to go to the doctor, but I am torn.  I turn to you, friends.

Here was my last doctor visit experience last stress fracture:

Go to the general prac doctor.  Tell him I wont settle for shin splints, the pain was too centralized

He gives me a recommendation for an ortho.  Make appt for the next week.  Wait

See ortho and he tells me I need xrays

Take xrays.  He doesnt see anything on xrays.  Suggests MRI

Make appt for MRI for two weeks out

Meanwhile I have to get a bone density scan.

MRI Day.  She cant do both legs all at once.  Have to come back another day for the second round

Wait.  Wait. Wait

Doctor cant just tell me on the phone, I have to go in and pay a copay.  Yep you have a stress fracture.  Do nothing.  Stay off of it.  In fact take some crutches home.  But do nothing.  Ok you can swim.

So you see why I am almost NOT wanting to go through all the hassle when I know this is the exact same pain as before and my prescription is to do nothing?  I want my leg to heal in the next month (I KNOW I cant tell it when to heal, but I can cheer it on).  I hit the elliptical today and took it nice and easy.  I didnt want to push it to its limit and mess up my healing.

Would you go to the doctor?