Chatterbox as a Protestor?

So, I think that if I looked back over the past two years, I probably average about 2 trips to Target a week. It doesn't help that I live in the Twin Cities and there are SO MANY Target stores here. Also, Super Targets have grocery stores...so yeah...:) However, after the $150,000 donation to MN Forward, which gives money to a MN gubernatorial candidate opposed to gay marriage, I decided to boycott Target. I'm only one person, and I definitely don't spend thousands of dollars there, but it was something I felt I had to do. And now, even though Target is apologizing for the donation, I am going to avoid shopping at the big box store. I already refuse to shop at Wal-Mart and K-Mart freaks me out...so I'm learning to shop at grocery stores again. And luckily I have easy access to really fresh and delicious produce (since Cub Foods does not...). And so, Target, I bid you adieu.

OK Stupid?

Ok, so after many, many, many conversations with my friend Maggie, I am going to attempt the weird and possibly terrifying world of online dating. I have been told that I can no longer use "I have no time" as an excuse now that the bakery is closed and I only have one job. Damn. So, onward and upward. This could get interesting...I won't use actual names, but I bet I'll have some stories...:/ I'm using OK Cupid. Because it's free.

Damn That Was a Fun Dam 2 Dam!

Was back in Central Iowa this past weekend to run the Dam2Dam 20K in Des Moines with Big Sister, cousin Andrea and friend Natalie. We had so much fun (well, I don't know if everyone was having fun during the race, but afterwards they were smiling ;) ) and although the first 8 miles were run in pouring rain, there is such a sense of accomplishment after a long race like that. Plus, the medal is Pretty Fancy. I tend to forget how pretty Iowa is and then I go back for a quick trip and I realize again how gorgeous it is. So much green! At least this time of year. And the people along the race route were great. Especially the ones sitting out in the rain! We ran over I-80 and semis would blow their horns as they passed under the bridge. Gearing up for the big MARATHON in October. I feel pumped and ready to keep training. I wasn't in nearly as much pain after this race as I was after the half marathon a couple of years ago...but as I went to a wedding Saturday almost immediately after the race, there wasn't really time for me to sit down and my legs to get stiff! Here is what I observed during the race:

1. I really like running without my iPod.

2. Saylorville Reservoir is HUGE.

3. Port-a-Potties are disgusting and smell really bad. I only used one once before the race started. Blech.

4. It's really not fair that guys can just step off of the route, pee in a ditch and then keep going. Every port-a-potty we passed had at least six women waiting in line.

5. Around miles 9 and 10, the houses are really cool...some need some TLC, but wow! Historic houses galore!

6. Melissa really needs to buy a coffee maker...no artificial energy first thing in the morning was a little rough.

7. The hill that we were dreading at mile 7 wasn't bad. The one that we weren't expecting at mile 11 kind of sucked.

8. I ran the whole damn thing. Nice.

9. The house that has all the Simpsons signs in the front yard right before the mile 8 market is awesome. Thank you for a great sense of humor!

10. I really like running in the rain. Like it might not be normal how much I like running in the rain.

Photo caption: Friend Natalie, me, Big Sister, Cousin Andrea

Gentlemen, Start Your Horses

This week's entry is in honor of my sister, who when I asked what I should write about, responded "bourbon". Not my favorite liquor, although I do enjoy a Jack and Coke occasionally, but it does make for a delicious ham glaze. She has bourbon on the brain right now because she gets to go to the Kentucky Derby with Manfriend Pat. So jealous. There is nothing like a five second horse race surrounded by hundreds of drunk women wearing gigantic hats. I love that the tradition of the big hat remains. I wish more women wore hats on a daily basis. I remember watching the Kentucky Derby that one time and thinking "huh, this seems...like it could be a fun time..." I'd rather be riding a horse than watching it run around in a circle, but to each their own I guess. Besides, at least at this event, I would be taller than all of the jockeys, which would make me feel superior for at least an entire day. So have fun Melissa and Manfriend Pat. I'll stay behind in Minnesota and drink a mint julep in your honor. "Gentlemen, start your horses!"

The Bucket List Grows

And the list grows...

*Go sky diving

*Ride a mechanical bull

*Run a marathon

*Go to Alaska

*Write a novel

*Go on an epic road trip

*Get a tattoo (but not a very big one)

*Make the perfect martini

RIP Julia Sugarbaker

Julia Sugarbaker AKA Dixie Carter was a heck of a woman, and if any TV character can be a role model, she was it. She was sassy, spoke her mind, stood up for her friends and could put an ignorant and disrespectful person in their place faster than you can say “Have you all just completely lost your minds?” I loved and still love Designing Women. Personally, I always related more to Jean Smart’s character, Charlene, (and let’s be honest…a little bit of Alice Ghostley’s Bernice…) but everyone has to love Julia.

Two years ago, a group of friends and I went on Billgrimage ’08, a winter vacation to celebrate all that is Memphis, Tennessee and the fabulousness that was and is President Bill Clinton. We even had shirts made. We spent a long weekend in Memphis and then road-tripped to Little Rock, AR to visit the Clinton Presidential Library (which is AMAZING by the way-highlights the good, the bad and the ugly of the Clinton Administration). Also in Little Rock? THE HOUSE that is used as Julia Sugarbaker’s house in the opening credits. So of course, we found it. And of course, we took our picture in front of it.

A role model for women? You bet:
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact I am. In the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. You have to be exactly who and what you want to be. Most everyone is floating along on phony public relations. People who say being beautiful, or rich or thin makes them happy -- people who are trying to make their marriages and their children seem better than they actually are.... and for what?! Appearances. Appearances don't count for diddly! In the end, all the really matter is what was true, and truly felt, and how we treated one another. And that's it”

On The Road Again

Running isn’t something I ever thought I would enjoy. I did track one year…in 7th grade, and while my coach told me I had one of the best baton hand-offs he had ever seen, I was not known for my speed…

Fast forward fifteen years (woah…) and here I am training for a marathon. I have completed several races already, including the Des Moines Half Marathon, and while I am definitely not going to win any races (nor is that my goal) there is something about tying on a pair of running shoes and going outside for a long run. You totally lose track of everything around you and just go forward. I’m not super fast, and have so far managed to not get passed by pedestrians, but other runners often run around me. Who cares! And while I don’t plan on needing to use my mad baton hand-off skills anytime in the near future, you just never know.