Pumpkins

The Halloween decorations and ideas I've seen this year have been darling.  But, let's be honest...I don't have time nor the home to go crazy with Pinterest projects.  It's such a fun time of year for the kids, but we're short a few of those around here.  I did decide this year that I wanted to carve pumpkins.  I don't remember really doing this as a kid....my mom assures me it happened, but that I didn't care too much about the yucky part of the carving.  Makes sense.  Regardless, I think it's something you need to do at least once. It turned out to be a really soothing Thursday evening at our apartment.  

 The final product:

I had some motivation to get this done, because I wanted to try a cinnamon sugar recipe for the seeds.  They turned out pretty tasty, but what isn't edible when it's coated in those two ingredients?

Disclaimer: I had more than a few people tell me that we were carving too early.  I kinda laughed it off, thinking they would survive.  Boy, I was wrong.  Mine definitely started collapsing by the second day.  Tonight, when I tried to lift on one of the lids, I was greeted by some really weird white mold.  Yick. We didn't want to wait, but I've heard that coating them in vasoline or sprinkling those silicone packet pellets helps the slow down the decay. 

At least the seeds are safe in tupperware :)

TOUGH MUDDER 2011

12 miles

29 obstacles
Team of 5

People I know crazy enough to do this
Tyler Graham, Mike Gomez, Me, Juanita Britton, Summer Tarver

This was one of the most intense days of my life.  About a week before the race, the creators changed it from 10 miles to 12.  I took that news very hard and wondered how that was going to be possible.  I was worried about my knee and the fact that I've never run more than 7-8 on my own.  But, I'm here to tell you that after about 5 hours....we finished.  Here's a few pictures for proof:

ice mud bath. not enjoyable.

12 foot army walls with NO ropes

despair

teammates for life - from tennis to mud

absolutely my favorite picture of the day

"The Shocker" - Mikey is always a gentleman ha.

If  you are thinking you might do this someday, I would recommend it.  I would recommend a small team like this, a few friends to take pictures of you (hugest thanks to Paige and Russ for being our photographers and cheerleaders), and some pretty good training.

1. I was jealous of those who wore camelbacks.  We were soooo thirsty.

2. You will never get "rinsed off".  It's just mud, sludge, muddy water or more mud.  Put that in your mind.  I didn't.

3. I never thought about the running.  That was the easy part.

4. There is no shame to skip an obstacle if  your gut tells you that you will surely hurt yourself.

5. You WILL fall. I would have felt better taping my ankles.  Got lucky.

6. Wear clothes that are 2 sizes too small so they don't stretch off.

7. Eat a big breakfast. BIG.

Finally, I think once is enough.  Please don't ask me to join you in 2012, because I think I'll still be rinsing the mud out of my ears and using icy hot.  

Thanks for a great day, team.  "Mo Muddy, Mo Problems!"

i neglected my blog

Somehow, I'm on rotation #3!  The days are going by so slowly, but the weeks are flying!  Here's a recap:

1. Completed retail pharmacy down off Lamar in Austin....independent pharmacy is better than corporate, but it's still not my niche.  It's a bizarre feeling being the final check on prescriptions.  And, South Austin patients are more loony than you can ever imagine.
2. Headed to Temple, TX and completed Ambulatory Care.  This was FUN!  I provided 30 minute appointments with patients who were monitoring their diabetes, hypertension, or asthma.  Diabetes is terrible....take care of  yourself!
3. Currently working at the Central Texas Poison Center in Temple!  Bet you didn't know that when you call the poison number, you get a real-life pharmacist to talk you through the situation!  People do strange things, scary things, and some things that I still can't explain.  Enjoying it...especially the 4 day work week!  

you should memorize this number...you never know

So...that explains my lack of blogging.  I feel like I'm on a road trip everyday.  In a blink of an eye, I'll be back at home working in Arlington through December.  

I've been battling some knee problems and painfully taken some time off of running.  I am hoping it is well rested for this Saturday....because it's time to go run 12 miles and battle 29 obstacles in the 'toughest event on the planet'.  TOUGH MUDDER 2011 here we come!!!  I've got a really random, fun team of 5 who decided it was totally sane to enter this event.  I'm a so thrilled to be running with my ex-teammate, Summer Leigh Tarver.  She's known me since I was about 10, so you can only imagine us trying to pretend we are still college athletes. My dad is coming into town and will be watching, along with the dynamic duo of Paige Schmidt and Russ Guild. I have a parent and two emergency trained personnel ready to provide aid :)  The shirts I made came in last night:

Expect a post soon when I recover!

Have great weekend!