Friday Mishmash

Last Saturday night, I asked my son Sam to bring me my bottle of Gatorade from the fridge.  I was lying on the couch, watching the A&M football game (ugh, terrible way to end the season), and he asked me where the straws were.  I thought, "how nice - he knows I'm laying down" - but this is what I got:

Blurry pic, but you get the idea...and for the record, it's dang hard to drink from such a long straw!

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Not saying I had a bit of taper madness going on this week (for the non-runners, it's when you cut back on your running in the week leading up to your race, so you have fresh legs for it), but I've reorganized my pantry, thanks in part to the inspiration from my friend Andi, who loves organizing more than I do...her idea of a good time is a trip to the Container Store and Ikea, which, of course, I'm on board with that.  I've also put up most of my Christmas decorations (can't get to the ornaments, of all things), and knitted like a crazy person.  OK, I guess I am saying I've had some taper madness.  It'll be over soon...

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I'm just going to put this out there - even though some of my favorite bloggers do this, I have to say that I'm not a fan of the "falling snow" effect that is on some blogs right not.  Why?  Well, because it startles me for one thing, and also, I keep thinking my floaters are getting worse.  There.  I said it.  Grinch, out.

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Here in south Texas, we really don't experience fall - we might, if we're lucky, get a week or two of lovely weather, but we usually go from summer to winter.  I was surprised, and obviously I'm not that observant, because we've lived in this house for over 13 years and I swear this is the first year I've noticed, but the trees in our "pond" area turned color:

By the way, it was 76 degrees on Wednesday when I took this picture.  Today?  We'll be lucky to hit 37 for our high.  Crazy Texas weather...

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Our half marathon is this Sunday.  The weather forecast keeps changing - the rain chances have been as high as 80% and as low as 10% (PLEASE, let that be the case), and it's going to be cold and windy.  I will admit to a bit of panic when trying to figure out what to wear...here's what I've culled it down to:

Gloves, either an ear-warmer headband or a beanie (although my ponytail presents a challenge with that), jacket, rain poncho (which can also keep out the biting wind while we wait to start), long-sleeved shirt, short-sleeved shirt, buff, jacket, capris, skirt, socks, shoes...

With our short intervals, we don't warm up as much as we would if we were running longer, so I think I'm going to need all of this.  I can shed the 89-cent poncho at an aid station once I get warmed up, and if I really get hot, Amy's husband should be spectating along the route, and I could leave my jacket with him.  But I suspect I'll keep it on the entire time.   No matter what, this weather will be better than the ridiculous heat and humidity of last year's race.

I'll have a race recap up on Wednesday, but be sure to come here on Monday for a really nifty review/giveaway.  Have a great weekend!