Did anyone else feel like January was 900 years long, and then February and March flew by? Here we are in April, and it’s time to join Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date! I’ll be drinking my usual Earl Grey. Grab a hot, delicious beverage and join me!
First of all…thanks for all the kind comments on my last post. In case you missed it, we will be trading in our green and gold for purple, because starting in September there will be a Wildcat in the family!
This is exciting for so many reasons, not the least of which is that I’ll be up in the Chicago area in September. I’ll drive up with Paul and help him get moved into his… abode? We’re not sure where he’ll be living yet- still lots of details to work out.
Is early September too early to see fall colors? (Probably. Darn it!) Interestingly, offhand I can think of at least eight bloggers who live in the area. It’s a blogging hub! Honestly, that first trip will probably be a whirlwind, and not a time for blogger meetups- unless we all agree to meet for a Blogger Blowout on the border of Illinois and Wisconsin. No? Well, next time then. It’s a two year program so I’ll be back!
April also means RACE MONTH for me. Gulp.
Don’t worry- I’m not running 100 miles. There’s also a 50 mile option. And don’t ask me what a “skunk ape” is, or why he’s riding a unicorn. The point is…
This will be my second attempt at the 50 mile distance. Last year, I trained for a race that I was so, so excited about. I couldn’t wait to run it, and was confident that I would finish. Then I fell, sprained my ankle, almost froze to death and dropped out at mile 23. And you know what? It didn’t really matter.
Once my ankle was healed, I wasn’t any more or less happy than I would have been if I had finished the race. This time I’m much more calm. I believe I can finish this race (if my hamstring holds up- more on that coming up in the Weekly Rundown, sigh) but if I don’t… I can try again next time.
The last thing I would share over coffee (or tea) is this car I saw the other day.
Seriously? What kind of community are we living in, anyway? I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or cry.
What would you tell me over coffee? Do you have anything special coming up this month?
Top photo by Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash
43 Responses
The sign on that car?! I mean… anyway, moving on with my eyes rolling!
I’m looking forward to hearing how you get on with the 50-miler but also just love how positive you are going into it!
Anything special for me this month? Well, today my dad turns 80, my daughter turns 13 a week from today, and I have a race this coming Sunday! 🙂
Well happy birthday to your dad and daughter! Sounds like April will be a fun month for you. Good luck with the race!
What a sad way to go through life. *Sigh* Friends make the world go round and I’m so glad I have lots of wonderful friends – including so many in blogland.
Hmmm. April is pretty low-key aside from Easter events. I’m okay with that. March was busy!
I can’t wait to hear all about the race and I admire your positive attitude so much!
Thanks Elisabeth! My attitude is ever evolving, and that’s a good thing. And, I know- I’m still trying to figure out what kind of person puts that on their car??? It is sad.
I do feel like January took forever and now it’s almost mid-April.
Even though I don’t live in DC, I’m counting on stars — and itineraries — aligning to see you there.
That decal!!!
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that fact that it’s APRIL. And… you never know, I might be in DC one of these days. It’s probably more likely that you’ll come down to Florida at some point though!
Wow that car sign is horrible. Good luck to that person. What a terrible world view. I bet they are an a-hole behind the wheel, too. All the eye rolls.
You will get lots of opportunities to meet up with Chicago bloggers which is awesome! There are a lot of people in that region. I go there for work several times/year but I don’t get to see people unfortunately as I am so busy with work commitments. Hopefully some day I can meet up with Ernie!
Today is Will’s tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy/tubes. I am pretty anxious about the recovery as I know it’s a tough surgery. But I know it’s the right decision. I will be glad to have it behind us!
Oh good luck!!!! Maybe the recovery won’t be as bad as you’re anticipating. Is lots of ice cream still a thing after tonsillectomies? He’ll like that at least!
And yes- it’ll be hard to go to Chicago and NOT meet up with people, but sometimes the schedule just doesn’t allow. And- I wasn’t even counting Ernie in my list. Make that NINE bloggers in the Chicago/Wisconsin area!
MAKE MONEY NOT FRIENDS! Hahahaha! At least you know where that person stands. I mean, it’s not every day someone is that honest.
It reminds me of when I saw a license plate that said Hot Carl, and I was laughing thinking the owner was Carl, and I was reminded of Carl on the Simpsons. Anyway, too funny, this Hot Carl has no issues with self esteem. Well, I mentioned this to someone who told me that Hot Carl is a sex act that involves feces. Now, did the owner of the car know this? Is he into feces? Or is he just a guy named Carl who has high self esteem? No one knows, it’s a mystery for the ages.
Wow, how did we get here from there? Well, you know how my mind works. It’s Friday! I’ve had like four cups of coffee and it’s 5:17. YOU CAN EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WITH ME, HASHTAG HOT CARL
God, I need to type something else so my last word is not about Hot Carl. What else what else. I’m blank! I’m completely blank! Ahhhhh nooooo!
Hahahahaha. Now, I thought there was some kind of screening when people request a specific license plate. I would think “hot Carl” would be flagged (considering what it is…) But I’ve also seen some interesting license plates lately. One had three numbers, and then “BRA.” Did the person request “bra?” Or did they get the license plate and say “Oh, GREAT! Bra???” Anyway, thanks as always for, ahem, enlightening us on these topics, Nicole!
I have a lot of questions about the skunk ape and unicorn! That’s such a random logo and pretty hilarious! I hope your race goes well though, and you have a great mindset going into it. An ultra finish is never a guarantee, and I think that’s what keeps a lot of us coming back!
One exciting thing I’m looking forward to this month is my planned solo trip to the Grand Canyon for Easter weekend. I haven’t quite decided my route for my bigger run day since there are some trail closures, but I can’t wait to get back there and see the Canyon again and spend basically the whole weekend outside!
WHAT. “Solo trip to the Grand Canyon.” That’s basically my dream vacation. Can I go with you? (Wait, Then it wouldn’t be solo.) It sounds amazing. I’ve never been there! And you’re going to run and hike- I’m so, so envious. I want to hear ALL ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE.
I would LOVE if you could go on this adventure with me! The Grand Canyon is amazing and I haven’t been in 3 years even though I’m in the same state so a visit is definitely overdue. I will hopefully post more about it on my blog because I need to be more active on there haha!
I am that GIF of someone just blinking repeatedly, as I looked at that car sign. I mean, wow, their priorities are just, wow. Well, at least they’re letting you know what to expect. I’m pretty excited to get my new KNITTER license plate, and I guess that will tell people who I am, too!
Ha, I would definitely rather see “knitter.” I still have so many questions about that car decal. I mean it’s one thing to feel that way, and another to advertise it so blatantly???
Congrats to your son on grad school! Yes, Chicago is so fun to visit! My son is applying to grad programs now as well but will (hopefully) be staying around here. Have so much fun this weeekend at your race
Omg Deborah, don’t scare me. My race is NOT this weekend! It’s at the end of the month.
There was a very real possibility that my son was going to grad school much closer to home- but I’m happy he got into Northwestern. It’s what he really wanted. Good luck to your son!
Yes January felt like it went on forever and now I can’t believe we’re already in April!
Huge congrats to your son!! Chicago will be such a fun city to go to school in.
Best of luck with your race this month – can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Thanks Michelle! Yes, Chicago will be fun- except for the weather. But I don’t think that will bother him TOO much.
Make money not friends. LOLOLOL. I am really failing at life according to that guy. I’m pretty okay with that.
You know, Beloit and Rockford are right on the IL/WI border and they’re pretty nice places…
I’ll keep that in mind, Engie! And, yes apparently I’m failing at life as well. I’m also okay with that.
You have to sign up for the race because who doesn’t want a t-shirt with a gorilla riding a unicorn on the front? 😀
Congrats to your son! We loved visiting Chicago when our son was getting his MBA at University of Chicago Booth. It’s such a great city!
Ooh! I didn’t even think about the t shirt. Or the medal! I hope the skunk ape and unicorn are on those.
That’s great news about your son! I’m glad you had such a great attitude regarding last 50-mile attempt. That’s SUCH a big (ominous?) distance, going into it with an open mind should serve you well 😉 BTW, I agree…April arrived rather quickly!
Thank you Kim! Yes, “ominous” is a good word to use : )
I know I read your post about Paul getting into Northwestern, but can’t remember if I was able to comment, so: congratulations to your son!!!! What an exciting development! And what a fun place (for you) to visit!
Skunk ape???? Good times, Jenny! But I love that you have a chill attitude toward the race. It’s all about the journey, right?
Not a fan of that bumper sticker. I did see a sticker on a Tesla recently that said RIVIAN, which was pretty amusing.
I know- who doesn’t want to run a race called Skunk Ape? And yes, it’s definitely all about the journey. Thank you for your kind words!
Early September is probably a little early for fall colors, so you’ll just have to come back in October for Peak Leaf. You’ll need the extra visit to have any hope of meeting people;-)
Your non-running goal for the race could be to ask everyone that you see there if they know what a skunk ape is or why he’ s riding a unicorn. The quest will help the miles fly by.
Great idea! Actually two great ideas here. I’ll definitely need more than one trip to Chicago, but I won’t be going anytime after November 1st (for reasons which I suspect are obvious!)
Congrats to your son! It will be a big change from south Florida! You know I’ll be up for a meetup! Just don’t come the weekend of Sept 13 because that is….cue the music…the wedding day! Seriously, I do want to see you, and hope we can make it work! Maybe even a race?
Wow Wendy! So many exciting things coming up! I’m pretty sure I’ll be there earlier than the 13th, but I don’t really know yet. I’m excited to at least get to visit a blue state : )
So glad we have Nicole to teach us what Hot Carl means. LOL.
I am excited for your 50 mile race, and for your son to be in Chicago, you will have lots of opportunities for blogger meet ups. We could do a BlogHer type thing and get a block of rooms at a hotel and everything. A Cool Bloggers meet up.
That car. Whatever.
Surely that car sign is a joke??? But if so it’s probably a joke by an a-hole.
Congrats again to your son, such great news. And love your attitude going into your 50 mile race. Can’t wait to follow along with how it goes.
A 50-miler! Typing that is as far as going with that ;)!
I’m so chuffed for you, though, Jenny–and wishing you better luck this time. I hope you get all the miles you want this time.
That car sign–it has to be a joke, right? It doesn’t make sense otherwise?
*as far as I’m going with that ;)!
Where do I start? Kudos on that 50-miler! 50 is tough. Crossing my fingers and toes that everything goes well. Congrats to your son!!! That is awesome. I know you will be busy but if anything opens up, let me know. I live by Midway Airport but can meet up north if needed.
Can’t wait for your race. I think you will finish this time!!!
I have a 5 miler tomorrow and a 13.1 next Sat and a 5k on April 26.
A lot of races and I really haven’t been running- illness, weather, work…
As you said, I know I can finish and I will continue to race and hope for the best each time.
What a sign *eyeroll* he probably thinks he can buy his friends.
Didn’t you use to live in Chicago? So it is back to the roots somehow, right? Must be fun. And congrats.
I saw purple and got excited! Yay! I’m so happy you have a WILDCAT in the house. Definitely a meet up one of these times you visit. Congrats to your son!
Yeah that car. Somebody’s priorities are messed up.
Sign me up for a Chicago bloggers weekend!
You have such a great attitude about your 50 miler. You’ve totally got this! And if you don’t – you can just try again. <3
Major eye roll to that car decal. Blerghhh.
First, congratulations to Paul! Purple is a wonderful color! And Chicago is so fun!
I am all down with the skunk ape on the unicorn! How fun! You’re going to have the best time.
And ew on that car. I’m so sick of the capitalism and selfishness.
I am super-excited for Paul and for your race. I know you’ll crush it.
I am not understanding the car sticker, but there’s a lot I don’t understand these days…
I had plans for last weekend (meet up with Peloton friends – a weekend I really needed) but got sick and had to cancel. Now I am trying to look forward (not back) and enjoy the anticipation of meeting up with Birchie and Julie soon (in May) and travel home to Germany for my cousin’s wedding in June. I hope this will all happen without hiccups.
Dude. You know it’s only an hour ish from Chicago to the WI border. And as Engie helpfully pointed out, Beloit and Rockford are RIGHT THERE. AND they have vegan restaurant options. I’m just sayin’. 🙂
Also, sorry, but September will probably be pretty warm. Fall doesn’t hit most years until mid-October… 🙁 You’ll just have to come back! Frequently!