Friday Mishmash - Old Lady Edition

True confession time: A few days after my half marathon, I had my beautiful medal draped over a sconce light in my office. A light that I never turn on. Except that I did...and burned the ribbon of that medal - the one I had worked so hard to earn. I was sick. Could not believe (and yet I could, knowing me) that I did something like that. I emailed the race organizers, explaining what a doofus I was and asking if they could send me an extra ribbon - and guess what I got in the mail a couple days ago? A whole new medal! How nice was that?!?

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Speaking of medals, Lori asked me in the comments on Wednesday's post if I was training for anything in particular - the answer is yes. I'm training for the Austin (half) Marathon on February 20, followed by the Armadillo Dash half marathon on March 6, then the Dallas Rock and Roll half marathon on March 27, and then the 10.6 miler in the Big Sur Marathon on May 1. With a few fun 5K races as well, hopefully. I guess this probably sounds pretty ambitious, but the racing season in Texas is short and I really want to earn some more medals get some good races in, so this is what it takes. I'll let you know if my legs fall off!

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My seasonal job at the jewelry store is going well - I'm really enjoying, as you all knew I would, being around all of that pretty jewelry. For the record, I haven't bought anything yet. I am having fun doing the "test drives" of certain pieces, but so far, that's satisfying me enough that I haven't given any of my paycheck back to the store. I do have a new pet peeve, though - cell phone ringers. Geez people, how LOUD do you have to have your ringers? And the songs-as-ringtones? Annoying as all get-out in a crowded store when you are trying to help people. I swear, the other day, it seemed like cell phones were ringing constantly. Come ON people - turn it down a skosh! I know, I sound like an old lady, but you had to be there. Now I'll just tuck my Kleenex back into my sleeve, put on my slippers and go brew me a cup of Sanka. ;)

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2010 is officially the year of the long-lost-friend reunion for me. First I found my old sailing club buddy (and new author!), Matt, last summer. Well, last Friday, I was reunited with my old pen-pal, Linda! She and I were matched up through a pen-pal group when we were about 12 years old. We exchanged letters for years - she lived in North Carolina - and we even met in person once, after she was married and had her first daughter. She, her husband and baby were in central California visiting relatives and they made the five-hour drive to my house, where we spent a few hours getting to know each other in person. Eventually she was living in Texas, and wouldn't you know it - I lost touch with her about a year before we moved to Texas. I looked off and on for years - and even with the internet, I never could locate her. Facebook was no help - she has a pretty common name, and the few Lindas that I thought *might* be her, and sent friend requests with explanations to, turned out not to be. Finally a few weeks ago I googled her full name again and found tax records - I wrote a short letter (which now seems so appropriate, given our original pen-pal status) and long story short (I know, too late), she emailed me! She included her phone number, so I immediately called her - how fun to catch up! Here's a picture of Linda and I, circa 1983:

Fresh faced teenagers!

And one of me and her cute daughter, Amanda:

Can you believe I was 19 in this picture? I look like a child! And Biz, I think my Dorothy Hamill glasses frames could give yours a run for their money...my gosh, could they BE any bigger? By the way, I had already met Jeff and was a few months from getting engaged...can you say "robbing the cradle"? LOL

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The other day I wrapped a few Christmas gifts and set everything on the dining table to get them out of the way. Somebody discovered his present immediately:

I died laughing - I swear, I couldn't smell that rawhide bone at all, but Paco sure could! I ended up having to hide it in the pantry and buy him off with a couple of Milk Bones. At least I know there will be one happy dog come Christmas morning!

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It's time for Fashion Friday - woohoo! First up is an outfit suggested by Helen, after seeing my red blazer last week - she thought it would look good with my jeans and some red shoes. I don't have red shoes but I do have an old pair of red boots - I threw that outfit together and she was right - it was cute! I actually felt very "casual chic" on a day that I ran a bunch of errands.

A minute after I took this picture is when Paco discovered his Christmas present - his spidey senses were already kicking in!

Next up is my "old lady" outfit - I wore this to work and got a couple of compliments, but I just couldn't shake the "old lady" feeling. I think the jacket, even though it's cute, is just too "old" for me. And yes, I am aware that I'm using too many "air quotes" - it's the jacket...it's "messing me up!"

Black pants, purple sweater, lime green jacket

I love the ruffle on the back of the jacket...and the pleating ruffle on the front pockets is cute...but I don't know - it just feels matronly, despite the cool color. Or is this color cool when it's on a jacket? Maybe it belongs in Florida at a Mah Jong group. (Oh, and for the record, this is usually how my first close up shot turns out - it takes a couple of tries to get the camera adjusted *just so* on the tripod, lol)

Moving on...next is that shirt that I bought last May and couldn't get it to look right - it's a little big, but I think it looks ok with the teal sweater buttoned over it, hiding most of the bold splotchy pattern AND bringing it closer to my body:

You can't really tell, but I'm wearing brown pants. Not too exciting, but it worked for work. Another first close up shot - just keeping it real, folks! ;)

And now we step out of my entry way/dining area - I brought my camera with me when I met my friend, Terry, for lunch the other day, so she took my picture afterward:

My first new, non-running top! I realized when I was buying it on Saturday (on clearance, with an extra 25% off coupon - yay Steinmart!) that it's been forever since I've bought "real clothes" - how funny is that?!? Anyway, I love this outfit, and feel about 20 years younger in it versus the "old lady" outfit. Perception is so strange.

OK, hope you all have a wonderful weekend!