19 years ago today I became a big sister! Probably one of the best days of my life whether or not I realized it then. Happy birthday to my amazing little brother, Jonathan! I’m so glad that you exist.

I wish that I could have spent the day with my little bro, but we live on opposite ends of the state. He lives in Philly and I live in Pittsburgh, but I’ve forgiven him for choosing to live in a less interesting city than me. As long as he promised never to be a Flyer fan. He can cheer for the Phillies, although preferably not the Eagles…but the Flyers? I’d disown him. It’s true.

So just about 2 weeks out from Dooms Day the PIttsburgh Marathon, but I didn’t run. My shin has been feeling better and I didn’t want to run too soon. I plan on running around 15 miles tomorrow if my shin feels up to it. I’ll at least got out there to run and test it. Pray for me, friends! I’m trying not to stress out, but it is really bothering me!

I rode the trainer instead, which we all know is my favorite form of exercise. That’s sarcasm.

I also made Natalie’s Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea burgers. I love all things curry, sweet potato and chickpeas. How could this possibly go wrong. It couldn’t. Especially when you add a gallon of Heinz ketchup to the burgers. It’s like Abby Normally’s taste bud heaven.

I also went to the store and hit the jackpot:

Bad news is that I got Dave hooked on Puffins, too, so now he eats my stash.

We had this same problem happen before. I used to hate beer and Dave made it his goal to make me a beer drinker. Now I like beer and he gets mad when I drink his beer. How did he solve the problem? He stopped buying beer.

I wish I had the will power to stop buying Puffins.

No, I don’t. If eating them means I have to share, so be it.

If only they made gluten-free PB ones, I might get them all to myself.

If you could combine all of your favorite foods/flavors what would it be? A burger? A salad? A dessert? A bowl of oatmeal?

Mine would probably be a burger like the curry sweet potato chickpea burger, or some kind of dessert that combines chocolate, mint, coconut, and grape Skittles. Sounds amazing, right?

No intro needed. You know how it works around here.

Here it goes:

1) Harry Potter! It’s no secret that I’m in love with the Harry Potter series. I canNOT wait for the last movie to come. In anticipation, I watched The Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 for the the millionth time last night. Those books and movies will never, ever get old!

2) Frozen vegetables. They taste great. They’re great for shin splints. These things are clutch.

3) Love Grown Foods. Speaking of good food, this granola is a must-have in my pantry. Love Grown Foods sent me four of the flavors: sweet cranberry pecan, raisin almond crunch, simply oats, and cocoa goodness. I’ve had them in yogurt, with almond milk, and right outta the bag. DEEEE-LICIOUS! Plus, I’ve been trying to stay away from gluten whenever possible, and these granolas are certified gluten-free. And their ingredients are entirely unprocessed. Cha-CHING!

And I’m not kidding when I say that I loved each flavor! So did—so much so that I think I only got to try each one once. That’s kind of an exaggeration, but I’m having a hard time remembering where the raisin almond crunch and simply oats bags got to (I’m thinking they’re at Dave’s office). However, out of all the flavors, the cocoa goodness and the sweet cranberry pecan were my favorite, and I’ve hidden them from my husband.

That’s how we survive our marriage…hide our favorite foods from one another. You’re welcome to apply that tip to your own lives as well.

Have you had Love Grown Foods?

What are you loving today?

I’m happy to say that I road the trainer for ONE HOUR tonight. That is amazing for me. And afterwards I did about 45 minutes of arm and ab workouts. This might be no biggie for a lot of you, but I have exercise ADD and the only thing that can keep my attention for an extended amount of time is running.

Unfortunately, running isn’t an option right now.

My left shin HURTS. It hurts when I run, when I walk, when I stand and when I’m just simply sitting there.

I know tapering can play tricks with your mind, but I don’t think this is mental.

I don’t think I’ll be running until Saturday—at the earliest.

There are a number of emotions running through me right now.

Part of me wants to throw in the towel now. Say that I’m not running the marathon and just give up.

Part of me wants to run no matter what. Even if I have a broken tibia, go blind in my right eye, and I’m stricken with typhoid fever, I will run and finish this darned race no matter what.

But the biggest part of me just wants to cry and whine about the pain while I sit on the couch with frozen vegetables on my leg and a bag of Starburst jelly beans in my hand.

Yea, that sounds like the best plan, actually.

I’ll cry about the Pens, too. And lament over the fact that right I have NOTHING to do—no running, no Pens. Wow, I lead such an exhilarating life.

I can’t believe I not only have a blog, but also readers who find this stuff interesting. Either that or you all stop in as a sort of cyber “rubbing necking” at my pathetic so-called life.

God’s teaching me patience, I guess—something I was taught never to pray for. But I’ve also been taught that God uses all of the situations in our lives for our good and to make us more like Him. Yea, that means that even these lousy shin splints play a bigger, more important role than you might think. So for now, I’ll just thank God for giving me legs… and all of you friends out there.

Love you all!

What’s your initial response to injuries you may have had in the past? Give up? Push through? Cry like a baby?

I cry like a baby. Ain’t no shame.

I have the craziest list of nick names for my dog:

• Dex
• Dexatrim
• Dexatrim MAX!
• Schtexter
• Schnook ‘ums
• Schnook
• Handsome Devil
• Poop Head
• Dextorious
• Little Toot
• The Juggernaut
• Monster

And when I look at that list, there leaves no room for speculation about why he doesn’t listen to me.

What are some of the nicknames you give your pets?

Let’s play a guessing game…again.

Where am I tonight?

Three guesses:

1)

2)

3) History will be made.