Snowmageddon...it's all just beginning...

http://www.good-weeks.com/snow-gums.html

Today has been a flurry (hehe) of images facebook status updates and tweets about snow!  It's snowing in Indiana and it's quickly traveling to Ohio!

The weatherman has been hinting and teasing about the possibility of snow since last week, and the day is finally upon us.  Supposedly, Ohio will get snow in the next 6 hours.  I'm surprised everyone hasn't ran out to stock up on the essentials, which  is the typical response to inclement weather.

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of snow, but  I live by a rule that if it's after Thanksgiving it's acceptable.  So, bring on the flurries and hysteria!

Thankful...

Today is thanksgiving, and one of my favorite holidays. Increasingly our society is overlooking day since its not as marketable as say Christmas. The Christmas decorations and store promotions are presented earlier and earlier every year.

I'm an advocate for thanksgiving. True, it's always around my birthday, but my love for this holiday goes beyond the superficial. Thanksgiving is about pausing to consider what you have received from the world, a family, steady work, happiness, and anything else that makes you who you are.

We don't automatically deserve to live plush comfortable lives simply because we exist. So we need to express thanks for the great things in our lives by thanking God (or the higher power you believe in) and generally putting our thankful energy out into the world.

Celebrate thanksgiving and take time today to consider all the large and small things you are thankful for this year.

This year I have a lot to be thankful for:
My husband, this is our first married thanksgiving.
My family
Our pup
I'm thankful that I'm able to personally develop and be ever evolving in a positive manner.
My friends and all the support they provide.

One day a year....

Today I begin another year of life!  Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family. You were able to choose what we had from breakfast and dinner, and many times we were able to skip school and do whatever we pleased.  Being the birthday kid also allowed us a waiver from all chores on that day.  Maybe we were a little bit spoiled.  As I get older I appreciate the ritual of celebrating the passage of another year.  I still like to make a big deal of my birthday.  I think just thinking that you have one day a year to yourself can make that day special and have positive thoughts for the day.  

Jonah sent me flowers at work this year....

this is how they looked when they arrived...

and this is the final product a few days later...beautiful!

I'm hoping to spend some time considering all I've learned in the last year.  There have been quite a few life changing moment, including getting married.  I do have to say that I'm much happier on this far end of my 20s.  

Well aren't you delicious...

New yummy vegan obsession....Grateful Grahams.  They come in cinnamon and sugar or chocolate.  Last week I tried chocolate and this week I'm munching on the cinnamon and sugar variety.

Highlights of these grahams:
-Vegan (great for those with a dairy intolerance, like myself)
-all natural
-soft, chewy texture makes them perfect to snack on, especially with coffee....mmmm
-Local Cincy company!

The only negative is that I could totally eat the whole bag at once.  I had one this morning with my coffee!

Check out their website.  In addition to the places they list to pick them up, you can also get them at Whole Foods in Rookwood.

As I'm writing this.....I wish I had a grateful graham here to munch on...

Louisville 1/2 marathon race review....

Post race pic...guess who's dog was uncooperative? 

The Louisville Sports Commission Half-marathon took place this past weekend!  I finished the race in 2:00:38.  I would have loved to have a 1 instead of a 2 at the beginning of that time, but there will always be more races.  

On Friday we picked up our packets/shirts with literally 2 minutes to spare since there is crazy construction from Cincy to Louisville.  We had a nice filling dinner at steak n' shake (we both got grilled chicken sandwiches...so not too bad) and some free froyo at orange leaf.  

Saturday morning we were up and at em pretty early.  The weather was a bit cold, but we knew it was going to be sunny and get much warmer.  The course was nice but they ran out of water at the 2nd water stop, and after the race you had to wait in line for about 15 minutes to get a bagel and fruit.  I'll cut them a bit of slack since this was the first race.  

The course went through the hilly area of Cherokee park not iroquois park like I mentioned on Friday (different park, just as many hills).  

Overall, it was a fun race and a wonderful time visiting Mo!

Racing around Kentucky...

 I'm off to Kentucky for another adventure.  First, it's off to Louisville (the 'ville) for a half marathon on Saturday with my bff Mo.  We'll be kicking the butt of the killer hills in Iroquois Park while participating in the inaugural Louisville Sports Commission half-marathon!  Also, I heard that one of my fave froyo places is offering some free froyo in the 'ville!  I'm sure we'll have a blast together.

Then, it's off to Lexington to have some fun with Jonah and friends eating sushi and watching football.  Maybe we'll venture to the puppy park.

This dog is crazy...but we love him...

This week's trend in the Lee home is dog tantrums.  Philip is a constant attention needing chunk of a dog. He threw an all out tantrum this week because I didn't put my shoes on fast enough to go for a walk, I mean all out stomping feet and falling down in exasperation (see exhibits A1-3).  This also happened when I wasn't looking at him when I was petting him, and when after he got a bath.

As loving as Phil can be, he also has a temper.  One time he pooped in my shoe, no joke.  First, he made eye contact with me, then dropped a little nugget in my shoe to let me know he was not pleased with his lack of attention.  Also, if anything smells remotely disgusting or delicious in the trash (bacon grease is the main culprit) he will shred the trash bag and scatter trash about the kitchen.

Exhibit A-1

Exhibit A-2

Exhibit A-3

Although he has some serious flaws, he provides  loving companionship and brings joy to our lives (most of the time).  He reenforces the fact that no matter how flawed we are, whether it's seeking additional attention, incotinence, or letting our noses get us into trouble, we are all lovable and deserve to be loved.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that love is patient, therefore we should be patient with those we love.  (One day at a time.)

Trees are on fire

It's November and some of the trees in cincinnati are still putting in a colorful show. We traveled further northwest this weekend and most of the trees had shed their foliage. Enjoy some of the pics I snapped this week of the "fire" trees. Don't you just love the way the sun shines through the colorful leaves?

Bright and early....

This little nugget decided 515 am was a great time to wake up his owner. Guess it's time to start the weekend. We have a weekend filled with relaxing and a bit of shopping, great way to spend the first weekend of my favorite month.