Hopeful thinking...

With all this rain & snow we've been having it's hard to believe spring is near, or should I say here? We did however, have a beautiful Easter weekend. It was so nice and sunny, I was outside in just jeans and a short sleeve shirt! I had to work most of the weekend, but I was able to soak up some sun with Joe as we sat out on our balcony Saturday. {We really need to get a little BBQ!} Oh how I can't wait for summer! (or spring for that matter)

My flower frog & nozzle collection :)

above: one of my favorites!

eleven

So as most of you know, I've been training for a 1/2 marathon in May. The same race I did last year. Although I was satisfied with my time, I knew if I trained harder I could beat it. I set a high goal of wanting to beat my time by eleven minutes. (weird, that's not why I titled this post eleven, but we'll get to that shortly) So yeah, eleven minutes will put me at 2 hours. Some days I think we can totally do it, and some days I just get so discouraged. I say we, meaning Anna & I. I work with Anna at Starbucks and three months ago I suckered her into running the 1/2 with me. We both wanted to start working out again, and I just happened to have a 1/2 marathon in mind. She skeptically said she would join me. And I AM SO GLAD SHE DID! I tell her everyday that I wouldn't be training so well if it weren't for her.

Let me just brag about Anna's background for a bit. She comes from a huge track family. She ran track in high school, broke records, still holds records, and went on to become a collegiate sprinter at Seattle Pacific University. Her Grandpa is a track legend here in Spokane, (you can read about Grandpa Tracy Walters here if you'd like; second article from the bottom). He now helps coach track along side Anna's Dad, who is the head track coach at North Central H.S. Anna's husband also helps coach, and last year he placed 3rd in the Spokane 1/2 Marathon with a time of 1:18! He is the one who has been putting our running schedule together. What a blessing!

And what a blessing Anna is! I LOVE running with her. We run 6 days a week and probably 5 of those together. It is so therapeutic. We talk, we gossip, we laugh, I've even cried on a run! It has been so nice to share this journey of really getting into shape with someone else. We hold each other accountable and push each other when needed. We are so competitive, that when we don't run together, there have been times that we'll txt the other our time, and it will push the other to get their butt running and try and beat the others time :) When I'm having a down day, or I'm just tired, or the weather isn't that great, along comes Anna and makes me run. I'm always telling her I wouldn't be doing this it weren't for her!

I believe I told her that just today (monday).

Today we had our eleven miler. This will be our longest run before our race. Our plan was to do part of the Bloomsday course and then some. I must say when I woke up today it was so beautiful out. The sun was shining and it made me a little excited for our run. By the time Anna picked me up at noon, it was thundering. We contemplated wearing our capris or full length pants. By the time we made a decision it was lightly snowing. (We opted for the pants) As we drove to the start of our route, it began to snow very heavily. Borderline blizzard. We looked at each other and thought, "maybe we should do this tomorrow", but we just wanted to get it done. We parked and decided to wait it our for a bit, for there was a glimpse of blue sky peeping through the clouds. Could it be? Sunshine? We have been so blessed with great weather. Even the gloomy days we've had this spring, it always seems to clear up for Tabitha & Anna to run.

So as we started our long eleven, it was beautiful! The air was crisp and the sun was shining. At one point I had made the comment that I could have even worn shorts. That was until the temperature dropped about ten degrees in a matter of ten seconds, and started snowing blizzard-ing again. And I don't think it could have been any windier! It was snowing so hard that my face was dripping wet and at times I didn't know if I were wiping off snow or snot. And let me tell you, I've never had a snowflake fall into my eye and blind me for a split second.

Trying to see as the snow dumped on us was hard enough, but now it was starting to stick, which made reading street signs almost impossible. Did we miss our street? Where were we? UGH, as if the elements we were enduring weren't enough, now we were lost. We decided to just head down a street and hopefully figure it out. We were relieved that Summit turned into Broadway...the street we were looking for this whole time. Perfect! However, just about this time all I could think about was how miserable I was. Everything about me was wet at this point, including my feet. I just wanted to quit so bad, but I knew we were quite aways away from the car (and of course I couldn't quit with Anna by my side). So, this is when I went into survival mode. I just wanted to be done. Be warm. And the only way that was going to happen was if we didn't stop and just pushed it.

And pushed it we did. I'm so proud of us! And honestly, running eleven in a blizzard was a bigger accomplishment for me than running 13. I wish you could have heard me when we were done. My face was so numb that I couldn't even smile or talk without slurring my words. We felt like studs!

Yesterday

Joe and I had the day off together.

This doesn't happen very often.

And when it does, Joe normally has to study.

But not yesterday.

Yesterday we had the whole day to ourselves.

With no plans, but to go to Maple Street Bistro.

My new obsession.

How sweet it was to sleep in together.

Until 9:00am.

We brewed some coffee 

and Joe got some donuts.

Mmmm Blueberry Cake donuts,

how I could eat another!

Enjoyed Maple Street Bistro for lunch.

So close to getting Joe to try cream cheese.

But I fail once again.

S o m e d a y.

We order coffee to go.

To go where, we don't know.

It was a gloomy day.
Full of clouds & rain.

Btw, my Agave Cinnamon Latte = pure yummyness.

We consider going bowling.

But instead we decide to go barn searching.

Yep, barn searching.

It's the simple things that make us happy.
And it was just nice to agree on something.

We get in the car and go.

Go to 9 mile and work our way to Green Bluff.
We drive for hours.
I start to get car sick.

So we stopped and got candy bars.

Coffee, donuts, candy bars...

it's ok I've been running :)

We stop and explore a Barn for sale.
Two different times.
Once on the way out, and once on the way home.

It's our dream house.
We get out of the car and walk the lot.

I need a picture of myself to post of my new bangs.

So Joe takes 300 pictures of me.

I don't like any of them.

I feel like it's senior picture day.

But I have fun.

And Joe makes me laugh.

30 before Thirty

{cut hair (short or straight across bangs)} √

First I want to say, this is on my list because I have been "growing my hair out" FOREVER! and when you grow your hair out forever, it is REALLY hard to cut it! You become attached. You don't have to get haircuts that often...a trim here and there. It's easy. I can wake up at 4am, throw my hair in a ponytail, and be ready for work in ten minutes.

HOWEVER, it has reached a point where I am just plain lazy. If I know I'm not going anywhere, I will skip the blow dry, skip the flat iron, and skip the curl. You can only imagine what the end result looks like! Let's just say, Joe started calling me Pocahontas...Poco for short! I was beginning to feel like a hippie! It was starting to get out of control...starting to look like a horses tail! I knew I would soon need something different and not just a trim.

So, when I found out that I would be making a trip home in July for my sister's wedding, I thought "Perfect. I'll chop my hair off then." I would make an appointment with my stylist back home and she would have the honor of giving me a super cute short do. She was the first (and only) person to ever cut my hair short. So I knew I would love it.  HOWEVER, my hair was becoming so out of control, that I.COULD.NOT.WAIT.THAT.LONG. I made an appointment with Heather and told her to cut the bangs.

And this is where I sigh. I've never had straight across bangs (well, ok, when I was five I guess), but I was taking a chance. I was super nervous, but figured I would love them in the end. And I know that it's only day three*, but I'm not too fond of them. I'm hoping they'll grow on me....or just grow fast. Either way, it's just hair, so I'm not too worried about it. Now I can say I've tried the straight across bangs. And it's kinda fun to be someone else for awhile :)  Joe's new nickname for me now is Sally....(I think I like Poco better).

*update: it was day three when I wrote this post...it has now been almost a month since I've cut my bangs (I just finally got around to taking a picture of them). And no, they haven't really grown on me, but they have grown a little :)

 

visit a state I've never been to

run a 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours

cut hair (short or straight across bangs) 3/4/11
get Joe to organize his mail
take a cooking class

open up an etsy shop

get married ;)

refinish our dining room table

camp out in Yellowstone for a week

go fishing for a day

go skiing or snowboarding
make it to the coast

find the perfect pair of black boots

purchase a digital SLR 2/26/11

read a book

run a marathon

learn how to swim tread water

get Joe to try cream cheese

host a girls night

make a scrapbook for myself

learn how to sew... and sew something

take an exercise class with a friend

learn how to knit

s k y d i v e

put together a book of inspiration

make the perfect pot of chili

volunteer

create a piece of jewelry
find the perfect letter E
throw myself a kickin' 30th birthday party

St. Patrick's Day

I know I'm a little late for a St. Patty's Day post, but I've been keeping busy over here. My friend Anna and I ran the St. Paddy's Day run in Spokane. It was so fun! The weather was perfect, full of sunshine, and we were very pleased with our time (43:18 / 5 miles). I'm so proud of us. And Anna!! She was a collegiate sprinter, so these long runs are new to her. It was her longest race and I know it was hard for her to be passed, b/c shes so darn competitive. But, she did awesome! :) Oh, and not to mention, her husband Brent (our "Coach"), came in 10th among 1100 ppl. Yippee!

mini album I made
for our anniversary

Along with the Irish holiday, it was also Joe & I's anniversary.

{3 years!}

I can very clearly remember the day I asked Joe if he would be my boyfriend (hehe). It was here in Spokane, 2 months after we had first started talking, and just 20 days after I had met him for the first time. It was my first trip to the Pacific NW, and I remember it was the time I usually went back to work after a 2 month break, but I called my boss and told him I had this awesome opportunity to make a trip out west, and he said "go for it!". I got on a plane and I started work a week later than usual. When I really think about it, I amaze myself at how adventurous I was... I was so nervous, yet so excited.
And so in love.   J&T 

PS: I almost forgot! ~I was really excited to tell you all that I made corn beef and cabbage! (I know, can you believe it!?) ...my mom would always make it for St. Patrick's Day and I miss the tradition. So I thought I would give it a try. And what do you know, it was the easiest thing I've ever made and surprisingly it turned out really good! :)

thrift

Northwest Christian Thrift {Spokane, WA}

So, when I bought the red plaid thermos, I also contemplated buying this adorable pink one....I contemplated for a LONG time. But then I talked my self out of it. ~It didn't have a lid, and did I really need two vintage thermoses? (a pink one at that) So, I left without it. Later that day, I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Kelli & the kids. And all I could think about was the PINK THERMOS and how I wished I would have gotten it. It no longer mattered that it didn't have a lid...it would make a perfect vase! So, the next day I made my way back to the thrift store, and there is was. (ssshhhhh...don't tell Joe!)

thermos.....$4.99

50% off.....-2.50

                 $2.49

thrift

Northwest Christian Thrift {Spokane, WA}

I dropped by one of my favorite thrift stores the other day. (I haven't been there in a really long time!) And what do you know, everything was 50% off!  With that said, I just couldn't pass up this vintage plaid thermos. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with it, but wouldn't it be so cute to fill up with some hot chocolate in the winter and take it with you & your love to go cut down a tree or go ice skating. :) I also found these cute little nesting containers with lids. I get so sick of plastic containers! ~No worries sticking these in the dish washer and they would be perfect to take camping. 

thermos.....$5.99

50% off.....-3.00

                              $2.99

(3)stainless steel containers.....$4.97

50% off.....-2.49

                                  $2.48

for my {28th} Birthday...

This year for my birthday, I decided to throw myself a little shin-dig and invite some of my closest, dearest friends from Starbucks (five couples total). These chicas have made my move to Washington so great! These are the girls that I work with in the early mornings...they're the first to see me at 4:30am, before I've had my coffee. hallalua! We drink a lot of coffee, share a lot of stories and share a lot of laughs. (in the mist of working of course). But, these girls are great! And being away from my family another year, it was so nice to spend my birthday with some really awesome people.

I love that Joe surprisingly bought balloons (and streamers...that we never got around to putting up)

(so yes, I have an endless amount of one-after-the-other snapshots of Rachel & I, thanks to Brent...but I love them :))

The "Starpack" as Joe likes to call us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty spoiled this year!! I got some pretty cool, unexpected gifts. It's always a bitter sweet feeling to get birthday gifts in the mail from your family~ I get super excited to get snail mail, especially packages :) ...but it's always a sad time to not be able to share my birthday with them.

PS: Sorry for all the following pictures...I was super excited to play with my new camera :)

1. My mom got me this really cool "wine cork cage" ...you drop the corks in from the top and then it has a little hinge on the bottom where it unlatches to get the corks out. It was perfect for the Wine & Cheese party. :)
2. She also got me some fun "camping" scrapbooking stuff. ~perfect for some camping trips we have planned this year!
3. Darling little blocks from Q&M
4. Joe got me a new dri-fit shirt and some much needed running pants (I'm not used to needing warm weather work out gear!)
5. He also got me a new running watch that I Love.
6. I Love Love Love my new Canon!!
7. My friend Anna made me this really YuMmy dessert along with a birthday cake...
8. And my very own cookbook. (she is the same friend who got me an apron for Christmas...I think she's really trying to turn me into a little chef ;) )
9. And as if I haven't gotten enough already...I got a few gift certificates (one for a pedicure and one to JoAnns)

(3 different bouquets to be exact!)

...and 2 home cooked meals and 3 birthday cakes!

I know what you all are thinking....and no, I'm not a princess!!!

Thank you so much to everyone that made my Birthday so special this year!

xoxo

Thirty before 30

{purchase a digital SLR} √

I'm So excited to announce that I now own a Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera!!! A birthday present from the bestest boyfriend ever! I used to take so many pictures with my old Canon Rebel 2000 SLR 35mm, that is until I lent it to my brother {many years ago} and he returned it with a broken back. Since it was a big chunk to get it fixed, I would put the film in and duct tape the back shut! It worked, but once I got the pictures developed I could tell they just weren't 100% quality. So over the years, I have relied on my sleek little mini Powershot to capture road trip memories, day trips, family events, blog snapshots... Great camera, but very limited. And the awesome thing about my new camera is that I'm able to use the three attachment lenses that I already have, including a macro lens and a zoom. I can't wait to take it on our first trip this year!

 

visit a state I've never been to

run a 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours

cut hair (short or straight across bangs)
get Joe to organize his mail
take a cooking class

open up an etsy shop

get married ;)

refinish our dining room table

camp out in Yellowstone for a week

go fishing for a day

go skiing or snowboarding
make it to the coast

find the perfect pair of black boots

purchase a digital SLR 2/26/11

read a book

run a marathon

learn how to swim tread water

get Joe to try cream cheese

host a girls night

make a scrapbook for myself

learn how to sew... and sew something

take an exercise class with a friend

learn how to knit

s k y d i v e

put together a book of inspiration

make the perfect pot of chili

volunteer

create a piece of jewelry
find the perfect letter E
throw myself a kickin' 30th birthday party

Go Gonzaga!

The other night Joe & I went to the Zags game. I had so much fun! For those of you that don't know, Joe is a HUGE Gonzaga Basketball fan. Which means, through the season, I have become a fan as well...

*a huge fan of Rob Sacre :)

This is what Joe thinks of my Rob Sacre crush.

lol, actually that's Joe's reaction to me wanting to take a picture of us as we were walking to the game...not quite sure why he was so bothered...it was only my third attempt to take a picture :)

So, this post leads me to my next picture... back in October I decided to make Joe a little something for our apartment. He's always telling me that there's nothing in our apartment that is his (besides his flat screen TV). And well, there is some truth to that, but only beause when we moved in together, he didn't have much. He loves the way I decorate, but I think he was feeling as though his personality was missing.

So, how do you let a Gonzaga obsessed / manly fireman's personality shine through country chic decor?

For a long time I was on the lookout for a huge frame. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, and finally I found one at the the thrift store. Next, I bought a can of chalkboard spray paint. The next step was to find a flat surface, the same dimensions of the frame, that I could spray and turn into a chalkboard. Luckily, my friend had an extra piece of smooth plywood laying around that he let me have. I'm not sure that this was the best surface to use, but it worked for the most part (minus the nails-on-a-chalkboard sound when I tried to write on it).

Here is the BEFORE:

 

and the AFTER:

 

• thrift store frame: $14.00 $7.00 
• can of chalkboard spray paint: $5.00 $3.49
• plywood: free
• chalk: $1.00
• seeing my mans face light up when he saw his very own Gonzaga Basketball Schedule on a 36x24 chalkboard in our apartment: priceless!