The MotherLoad

Dog sitting job= done! Yay for being home with internet connection again! It's not that I didn't enjoy being disconnected for awhile, but I missed my blogger friends and it's going to take some time to catch up on what's been going on with everyone. As promised, this is going to be a jam packed blog post so grab a beverage, maybe even a snack, and buckle in!

Alright, first things first. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that I take immense joy in sharing with you the odd, interesting and hysterical things I come across while running. I happen upon so many odd things, that I've even started a separate tab on my blog to keep track of them. One of my readers emailed me the other day because she wanted to share something she had come across on a run with her friend:
"...one day my friend and I were doing a long run on a country road and I spied what looked like an old blue crochet hat.  Being the curious type, I picked up the "hat" which turned out to be a toilet paper roll cover---it felt like something was in it, then the bottom fell out and yes, something was in it---A LIVE MOUSE!  My friend and I both screamed and restarted our running!"

 Source

I couldn't help but laugh at that. I have seen some crazy things, but I've never encountered a live animal. I'm sure I would have knocked a few minutes off my run time if that had happened to me! Thanks Vicki for sharing your story, look for it to be updated on my other page as well. 

In other news, right before I disappeared, I was nominated for another blogger award!

Yay blogger award love!!

Here is how it works:

• Link back to the blogger who nominated you
• Choose 5 blogs and leave them a comment
• Post the award on your blog
• Enjoy and share the love :)

I was given this award by the amazingly awesome Wells L @ My Story...Chapter 2. Honestly, she's such an inspiration. Her blog is heartfelt, funny, informative and just an all-around great read. And she is probably one of my all-time favorite bloggers ever! We have yet to meet, but I feel like her and I would make great friends lol I'd have to say that Wells is also probably one of my biggest fans. She comments on almost every blog post and DailyMile post as well. And every time she does, I just feel so flattered that she takes the time to encourage and support me. So, for realsies, go check out her blog for yourself and you will definitely see how amazing she is!!

The five blogs I am nominating are:
1. Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess
2. Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner
3. Victoria @ Finding Happiness in Health
4. Katherine @ Forward FootStrides
5. Wym @ A Tall Order

Alright folks, as we all know, I started this journey of training for a half marathon. And guess what? It's getting closer!!! I decided at the beginning of the year that to give myself some extra motivation and raise money for a great cause, I would solicit donations from friends and family for the half marathon. The charity I chose was the NSA- National Stroke Association. This cause is very close to my heart because my mother has suffered a series of multiple strokes over the past decade. Thankfully, she is still with us, but every stroke takes it's toll on her. I go into more detail on my fundraising page HERE.

Now, I'm sure you are wondering how you can help, right? Aren't y'all just the sweetest?! You can most definitely help by going to the above fundraising page and donating to my cause! Not only will you get the joy that comes with giving and the gratitude of this kid, but, for every $1 you donate you will get one entry into my newest give away!

Oh, you want to know what you might win? Sure thing! I've collected some random goodies for your running pleasure and they are:

• an 8 pack of GU chocolate outrage gels
• 2 packs of GU chomps (in watermelon and peach tea)
• Smartwool PhD running socks
• Foot Rubz ball (similar to a foam roller or other massage product)
• Eastern Mountain Sports Espresso hydration belt
• Running for Mama t-shirt (designed by yours truly)

Here's how you can enter this give away- first, go to my fundraising page HERE and donate some money to a great cause. For every $1 you donate, you will receive one entry into the give away. So, if you decide to donate $20, you get 20 entries! Easy, right?! Once you have donated, come back to this page and leave a comment letting me know.
 
This give away will be going on until 9/28- That's 3 weeks to scrounge together at least $5 for some entries!- And the winner will be chosen on 9/29. Even if you don't feel you can afford $5, PLEASE CONSIDER AT LEAST GIVING $1.... any little bit helps! My goal is $500 and I'm currently at $230, so not far to go!!

Well, that's all for now folks... but I will be back to update again soon!! Promise! :)

A Hurt Ankle, Eggplant and an Award

So much has been going on lately, I feel like an awful blogger. 

I haven't had a chance to update as much as I would like.

Bah!

Anyway, as you may or may not know, I recently started rehearsals for a new show. Yay! However, in this show, we have to tap dance. Boo! I have never tap danced before and so didn't have any tap shoes. One of my cast mates lent me a pair to use for rehearsal the other night (since mine were still being shipped to my house). It was very sweet of her, only problem was they were a bit too small. Needless to say, dancing in them for a few hours was not the smartest idea and I somehow managed to hurt my ankle. I woke up the next day and could barely walk on my right foot. It was even worse trying to go up and down the stairs. I iced it, put heat on it, wrapped it and elevated it. I also did some band exercises to strengthen the muscles a bit. It took 3 days but it's finally feeling a bit better. The only trouble I have is going down the stairs still. I'm just frustrated because I was all intent on doing my 10 mile run yesterday and it didn't happen. Luckily, I have most of my week days free this week so I can get in a ton of runs. YAY! Silver lining wins again.

Another fun thing I did was make a new eggplant recipe with my mom last night. It's a sort of stuffed eggplant parm. My mom got the recipe from WeightWatchers and we decided to try it out.

Voila!

Doesn't it look so yummy?!

It is supposed to be a sauceless meal (for those of us who can't eat tomatoes) but both my parents put sauce on theirs anyway and said it tasted just fine. If you want the recipe, feel free to email me for it. I'd be happy to share! (my email can be found in the sidebar of my blog page  <-----)

And now, I've been nominated by Meg O @Watch Me Go Run for the Butterfly Blogger Award !

So now I get to answer some more questions and you can get to know me a little bit better :)

1. Favorite Color: As if most of you don't know already, my favorite color is PINK!! I used to actually hate the color but it grew on me and now I can't get enough. Currently I am sporting neon pink painted toes, pink glittery fingernails, a pink watch, 2 pink bracelets, a pink purse and pink sunglasses.

2. Favorite Song: That's a tough one, I have a bunch of favorite songs. But, to narrow it down, I'd have to go with Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Every time I hear it, I can't help but sing a long! And I ALWAYS do the Wayne's World head bang with it! However, I will admit, Bohemian Rhapsody is not a good karaoke choice.

3. Favorite Dessert: Hmmm. I'm not generally into sweets but I do love key lime pie. Even better? Key Lime Pie ice cream. YUMMM.

4. What Wizzes You Off? Wizzes me off? Not sure what that means, but I guess it is asking what makes me angry. People who treat other people unfairly and people who mess with my friends and family. Those are my biggest pet peeves.

5.When You're Upset You: Usually listen to angry music and sing at the top of my lungs. It helps me release the tension. If that doesn't help, I usually will go to the gym.

6. You're Favorite Pet: Dogs are my all-time favorite pets. Especially my adorable dog Princess. She is a 13 year old, black and white shih-tzu. She is not a fan of the camera though so I don't have any photos.

7. Black or White: Like MJ once said, "It don't matter if you're black or white..."

8. Biggest Fear: Being a disappointment to my friends and family.

9. Everyday Attitude: Usually I'm pretty cheery and silly. Which is SO much better than the Negative Nancy I used to be.

10. What is Perfection? I think that perfection is contentment- and it's different for eveyone. When you can just sit back and be happy/content with yourself and everything that you are doing, that is when you have found your own perfection.

11. Guilty Pleasure: I love shopping. I'm quite a shop-a-holic. I especially buy tons of body care items (lotions, shower stuff, shampoo, make up), nail polish, scarves, purses, etc etc. I have a bad habit of sometimes spending money I definitely do not have. Oy.

Ok, so there you go!. Now, I get to tag some people:

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner

Kristin @ Hollywood Runs
Fruit Fly @ Little Fruit Fly in Rainbow Colored Socks

Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess

Kurt @ Becoming an Ironman

Give Away Winner and Amazing Blogger Award

Kristin @ Running to Somewhere kindly bestowed the Amazing Blogger Award onto me the other day! I figured I would combine this post with my give away winner post (this way you have to read it hahahaha)

[Favorite Cartoon Character]

 This is a tough one as I have a couple, but my ALL-TIME favorite cartoon character is 

Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. 

He's just so flippin' cute!!

Source

[Favorite Thing to Photograph]

 I LOVE to photograph nature. I tend to go on random hikes, simply because I feel like taking photos.

Here are a few faves:

[Favorite Thing to Cook]

I'm actually MUCH better at baking than I am cooking. However, I do make a pretty darn good pot roast.

But really, my cupcakes are the bomb!

Pumpkin Spice with Caramel Drizzle (and they are low-cal too!)

 

[Favorite Way to Exercise]

I actually really do like running. 

But I also enjoy dancing as well. 

 That's yours truly front and center... this was during my last show "Chicago"

 

[Favorite Movie]

That's another tough one. I have SO many favorites.

Rundown

The Mummy and Mummy Returns

TransAmerica

First Wives Club

Frailty

13 Ghosts

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Some Like It Hot

Calamity Jane 

Noises Off!

Just to name a few.... haha

[Favorite Clothing]

My favorite clothing is probably jeans/shorts and a t-shirt. 

Whenever I'm home and want to relax, that's what I throw on to wear. 

(That's what I'm in now anyway lol)

[Favorite Flower]

My favorite flower is the lily.

While I do love all the various types of lillies (most especially those that you find in ponds, etc) 

bright, colorful lillies are my fave!

 Source

[Favorite Breakfast]

Hmmm. I don't have a standard breakfast, it really depends on what I'm craving when I wake up.

Sometimes it's fresh fruit with Chobani (and a handful of peanuts) or sometimes it's an egg white omelette with spinach. Those would probably be my two favorites.

[Favorite Book]

This is impossible to answer as I love to read and almost anything catches my fancy. Crime drama, paranormal stories, fantasy, humor, sports, fitness, etc etc. Love it all!

[Favorite Place to Be]

Originally, when I read this question, I thought I might answer Italy because when I visited Italy it was probably the best trip of my life! However, after thinking it over, I have to say my favorite place to be is on stage performing. I went to school for music and theatre, and it is my passion. (I'd like to make a career from it actually). So here I am in a couple of different shows:

 Chicago

The Wildest (I'm in the green FYI)

Putting my makeup on for Pippin

Those are just a few examples- I've done many other shows :)

[Favorite Sporting Event]

I don't currently watch sports. But when I was younger I was really big into the WWE (ok, ok. I know it's not really "sport" so much as "sports entertainment" but whatever.)

Ok, so now I get to tag some people as AWESOME BLOGGERS!!

Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess
Wells L @ My Story...Chapter 2
RR @ Little Fruit Fly In Rainbow Colored Socks

Hooray!

And now, the moment you have ALL been waiting for-

The Winner of my 100th Post Amazingly Awesomely Fantastic 

Give Away is (as chosen by random.com):

Congrats Lauren!!!

Shoot me an email with your information (name, address) at biggergirlsrun2 (at) hotmail (dot) com and I will get your goodies out ASAP! 

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the give away! And a SUPER HUGE thank you for following my crazy self here on my blog.  

Y'all are the BEST!