Always a Flower Girl, Never a Bridesmaid

I’ve been in six weddings. Six. All but one were before age eight, so I guess you could say I really rocked the early eighties hard. I mean, with this face:

Once upon a time, I was allowed to pretend I was a #ballerina. I rocked that #tutu hard. #tbt

(BORN TO FLOWER GIRL)

… who could resist? So that begs the question, have you been a bridesmaid before?

Answer: No.

I know, right? It’s the classic tale: Always a flower girl, never a bridesmaid.

I can’t complain. I hear my friends b*tch and moan and I get it 100%. But I’m excited to head out of town to celebrate one of my best friends since FIRST GRADE (1986, y’all)…

That time when we drank champs by the setting sun over the #baltimore harbor. #baltimoretoshreveport

… in a city and state that I’ve never been to before: SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA!

Turns out, Shreveport is nowhere near New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Kentwood (home of Britney Spears, duh). We’re even flying into Dallas, Texas and driving three hours because the Shreveport airport really isn’t that accessible to Baltimore. While initially disappointing, I’ve found the silver lining. I call it: crawfish. Stay tuned for more on that front.

Until then, let me know if you’ve been to Shreveport, Dallas or any of the towns in between… I’d love and appreciate any/all suggestions for must-dos, must-sees and, most importantly, must eats.

Giddy Up!

motivating molly: running quotes to inspire

Visited an old friend this AM ... and got kicked out halfway through the workout. Damnit.

(Photo source: SarahOUaL’s instagram. Read her blog, follow her on instagram, enjoy.)

BD, one of my best friends (since 6th grade!), decided this year that she had finally heard enough of my “omg running is awesome you guys” ruminations and decided to try “couch to 5k,” (c25k) for herself. The c25k program literally takes you from the couch (where I was) to running a 5k. It works, it’s the bomb and I will forever praise the glory of this program.

Anyway, BD is finished with the program, and signed-up for her very first 5k on June 9. In order to pump her up, I started sharing some of my favorite running quotes with her. I get them on the regular from Running World‘s RW Quote of the day emails, (sign-up here) and they really help me out of some run funks. (Not to be confused with funky runs. Ha! Ewww.)

I’m dealing with my own racing-running battles right now – more on that to come – and I think I just realized that sharing these quotes with BD is just as much for her as it is for me. No surprise there – this only child is selfish in that way sometimes. (I’m working on it.)

Here are two quotes that have spoken to me lately. They apply to running-life and also life-life, and that’s why I dig ‘em.

What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the day gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate.”
John Bingham, running writer and speaker

Right you are, Mr. Bingham. Is this not a lesson everyone needs all day, every day?

“There are a million reasons why you can’t. Focus on the few reasons why you can.”
Kara Goucher

First off, Kara Goucher is amazing. Team Kara. Secondly (second off?), I’ve been using this mantra to get me through the difficulty of the past few months. Running is life, my friends, and nothing exemplifies this more than Kara’s quote right there.

xoxo,
molly

RIP to the Miggidy Miggidy Miggidy Miggidy Mac Daddy

Chris Kelly of Kris Kross Dead at 34

Well that’s sad. Many a good dance party was had to the tune of “Jump,” and for that, I am seriously ever grateful.

We have some really good family friends who have a son that was one year (two years?)  younger than me. He was an incredibly creative and fun-loving kid (and still is as an adult) that was always doing interesting things. For a good long while, he was a DJ – probably between the ages of 11-14 but I could have that all wrong. Anyway, I “hired” him all the time to DJ at my parties. My friends loved him. His pièce de résistance was a live performance of “Jump,” wherein he portrayed both Kris and Kross. It was amazing. I know I have it on VHS somewhere (I’m old), so now I will have to track it down, convert it to DVD and share it with the world (with his permission, of course).

Until then, I share with you a text conversation I had with a friend earlier today:

photo 1

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(I hope this doesn’t come off as insensitive because it’s offered with only the best of intentions and sympathy. Truly.)

Spring Awakening (aka April – I’m ready for you)

First, a little snippet from Spring Awakening* (a musical I adore):

Ok, onto to post.

I think it’s pretty clear that I’m in a funk. My most recent posts allude to that, for sure. So I need to change things up around here. Isn’t the definition of insanity repeating the same actions and expecting a different result?

Exactly.

I choose not to be insane. At least for April.

So, what does that mean? TIME FOR SAY IT DO IT (my favorite time)! SIDI keeps me totally accountable. Really. You should try it. I have a much more detailed version to plan and accomplish my weekly workouts and, when I write it down the Sunday before each week, I totally accomplish what I say I’m going to. It’s awesome.

FITNESS:

  • Run three times a week (one long, two short).
  • Workout for a total of five times a week.
  • Lose five pounds.
  • Crush the Nike Women’s Half. (or at least, survive?)
  • Enjoy, embrace and GET AFTER my last month of half-marathon training… until July.

LIFE:

DIET:

  • “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
  • (aka Eat Clean)
  • No caffeine (i.e. No coffee) after noon.

No biggie. This is doable. Right?

*Bonus info: One of the stars from the original cast of Spring Awakening, John Gallagher, also stars in Newsroom – the Aaron Sorkin HBO series that I love, but most people hate. I love seeing him there because it means the universe really does care about me and my tastes and preferences. Right? Right.

Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live

Few things could please me more than Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live.

I finally got around to watching it (airdate: March 9, 2013), and that sucker is never leaving my DVR.

Might I suggest Suit and Tie, Veganville, Mirrors and The Dating Game.

In all honesty, people, Suite and Tie is one of the hottest things I’ve witnessed in a good long while. DAMN, JT.

Sweet dreams, everyone.