Colors

Blue and Brown.

For a while now, I have been loving those colors. I see them everywhere and I think that they look good together. My husband is really not a fan of these colors. Especially brown. He dislikes brown because it is the color of his uniform for work.

Yesterday, he took me to Lowe's to pick out floor tiles, walls and a color scheme for the laundry room. After picking out the tiles and the wall boards, it was on to my favorite part: color. I went straight for blue and brown. I picked out nine color swatches of different blues and browns. I told him that I wanted a room in our house to be these colors. I don't know if I will win on the laundry room, but there is still the kitchen and the full bathroom that needs to be redone. I still have a 1 in 3 chance to have a room in my dream colors.

Weekend update

Saturday morning I photographed a cross country invitational. It was so hot and humid. I felt bad for the runners. One team that was there, all of the runners collapsed at the finished line. They all needed help from the volunteers to pick them up. Two people made comments to me saying it was like that team was trained to do that. I doubt that they were, but it was odd the only runners that collapsed were from one school.

One of the oddest things seen at the cross country invitational was two boys running to the finish line together. They were both neck and neck. One of the runners thought he could beat the other runner to the line by sliding head first. I wanted to tell him it wasn't baseball season and the finish line wasn't home plate. Come on who slides head first through the finish line at a cross country meet?

In speaking of hot and humid weather, a Michigan police officer died running the Chicago Marathon and another runner collapsed and died near the finish line at the Pentagon during the Army-Ten Miler in Arlington, VA.

I decided over the weekend I will train for the 2008 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Half Marathon. I have over a year to get ready for this race. I can do it.

Watch your step

I saw an older man stumbling around on a sidewalk in downtown. I noticed him while waiting at a stoplight. I thought he tripped over something on the sidewalk. He regained his balance thanks to a wall of a building. Once he got his balance he tried to walk again. This time he was stumbling all over. This guy just didn't trip, he was drunk. He was drunk at 7 pm on a Thursday night. My question is who gets staggering drunk around 7 pm on a Thursday evening? Apparently that guy.

Random things

I've been watching America's Next Top Model regularly since Cycle 4. I have caught the first three cycles thanks to marathons on VH1 and MTV. Every season has a bad girl. This cycle it is Bianca. I always hope for them to leave early but they never do. Last night Bianca was in the bottom two. Of course she got a second chance and someone else was sent home. It always seems like the bad girl always escapes elimination until the final 5. The last couple of seasons that was the way with Renee, Melrose, Jade, Bre and Keenyah. They all made it overseas to different countries. The bad girls probably get to stay to create drama and keep the show interesting. I'll admit it does keep the show entertaining.

Last night was the live finale of Top Chef. I haven't watched it yet, but I already read the recap this morning. I know Hung won. I really liked Casey and Dale, but I had a feeling that Hung would probably win due to his technique. This season why did they need to have three finalists instead of two? Whatever. I'll be back for Top Chef 4.

***SPOILER ALERT - Sex and the City***
Earlier this week, I read on Page Six of the New York Post that Sex and the City was going to be filming at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Carrie and Big are getting married. Then this morning I saw the pictures. SJP looks lovely in her dress, but what is with the feathers? Come on where are the photos of Chris Noth?

Krista still needs help raising money to run a marathon with Team in Training. Please donate to a worthy cause.

I've been tagged

The rules:

1. Post these rules before you give you the facts.
2. List eight random facts about yourself.
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) someone and list their name (linking to their page).
4. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they’ve been tagged!

Eight random things about me.

1. I'm the youngest of seven children. All of our first names start with D.

2. I grew up on a hog farm. My brothers, sisters and I showed hogs at the county fair until we were all 18. In 1995 my hog was Reserve Grand Champion. It sold at auction for over $1000.

3. I love the smell of coffee, but I hate the taste. Once I was getting my car fixed and the auto shop made a fresh pot. It smelled really good so I poured myself a cup. It was gross and I threw it away. It could have been gross because it was coffee in a auto shop.

4. I eat Applebee's nachos at least once a week.

5. Most of my friends drank during college. I didn't. My first drink was on my 21st birthday.

6. During the summer I always wear my watch when I'm outside. I like the "watch line" I get on my left wrist to see how tan I am.

7. I am a clean freak. Everything around me has to be clean and in order. If is not, I straighten it up. Sometimes when talking to a co-worker I'll start cleaning her desk. I just can't stand to look at filth.

8. In college I didn't pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts because I was afraid to defend my work in front of the art professors.

I tag BCal, Kris and Erin.

Dog in the window

Just before 7 pm this evening, someone knocked on my front door. I wasn't expecting any company so I walked into my bedroom to look out the window. I saw a SUV parked in front of my house. Whoever was at the door kept knocking. I just finished taking a shower, so I had to make myself decent to answer the door.

I walked downstairs and opened the front door. It was a man and a woman in their early 20s. They said they were from Company X and they are going to be opening a office in town. After this I stopped listening because my two German Shepherds were knocking down their gate that locks them in the kitchen. When I heard the gate fall down, I stepped onto the porch with them and shut the door. She continued on with her spiel. Next thing you know my 120 pound German shepherd Blitzkrieg was standing on the window sill barking. The two people on my porch backed up because they were frightened of my barking dog. I told them that my dog doesn't like visitors. With that she asked when would be a better time to come back. I told her tomorrow. I really wanted to tell her not to come back, but I wanted to be nice. When they come back tomorrow they will be talking with my husband. I'm sure he will shut the door faster then I did.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann
Princess Grace, Sarah Bradford
John Wayne's America, Garry Wills
Jack and Jackie, Christopher Andersen
Henry Ford and the Jews, Neil Baldwin

Currently Reading: General Patton: A Soldier's Life, Stanley P. Hirshson
Up Next: A trip to the library

Random things

After two weeks of waiting, AMC had a new Mad Men on last night. I recorded the show with my DV-R, but haven't watched it yet. Like the obsessive person that I am, I read the episode recap this morning. I guess that I like knowing what happens on the show before watching it. To others it may spoil the show, I don't think it does. Since I don't know all of the characters name on the show, its nice to know who is doing what.

Last Friday, I thought Notre Dame was hosting the Notre Dame Invitational. Saturday morning I checked their site for results, none were found. I checked the local college, Siena Heights, site because the men's cross country team was scheduled to run there. Nothing. I couldn't understand why there weren't any results anywhere. Its like it never happened. Earlier this week, I was still checking the site hoping for something. Monday afternoon a story was written saying 15 ranked teams were going to be competing in this invitational. That is when I checked their schedule. The meet is being run today. I guess I better start reading things better. I will be checking the results later tonight. I would like to see the outcome of the Siena Heights men team and especially the women's blue race. I wrote about this before that I'm a fan of the University of Michigan's women's team and right now they are ranked No. 2 in the polls. Also I want to see how Notre Dame's freshman Marissa Treece will do. I saw her run in the Michigan cross country division 4 finals three times and win all three times. I wonder how she will do against many ranked teams?

While driving around town yesterday, I saw things on three different vehicles that were similar: bullet hole stickers. I think that they look ridiculous, but that is my opinion. Some people like them and have them all over their vehicle. I found a website that said that bullet hole stickers was the world's hottest auto trend. If it so hot, why is my car without them?

This is Alumni Weekend at my college, Siena Heights University. There is only one event that I participate in is the 5K. The Saints Run starts at 9 am tomorrow. It should be a bit chilly, but otherwise sunny. This is my first race since July and I hope to improve my time from last year's run.

Oops, I did it again

While traveling through downtown yesterday in my car on the way to an assignment, I made a left turn and squealed my tires. Normally that is not a big deal, unless you do it in front of a cop who is waiting at the stop light.

When the cop's light turned green, he got in close behind me. The light we were both waiting at turned green and the cop followed for a minute, then decided to turn on his overheads. I quickly found a vacant parking lot and pulled over. Even before the cop was out of his car, I was already getting my license, registration and insurance ready. I rolled down my window and the cop walked up. He asked me where I was going? I told him I was going to a volleyball game at the school down the road. He then asked for my license, registration and insurance. When I found my current insurance card, I gave it to him. He asked me why I thought I got pulled over. I honestly didn't know. He said I squealed my tires when making the left turn off of Main Street. I told him that I didn't hear it, which I didn't because my music was up too loud. Before he went back to his car to run my information, he asked if I had a good driving record. I told him I did.

At this time, my phone vibrated. I answered the two-way, it was my husband. He heard my name on the scanner and asked what I did. I told him that the officer said I squealed my tires in downtown. My husband asked if he was writing me a ticket. I looked in my rear view mirror and said he was running my information. I saw the officer getting ready to get out of his car so I told my husband I had to go. The officer comes back to my window and hands back my license, registration and insurance. He told me to slow down and went back to his car.

Three times I have been pulled over. Two times for speeding and once for squealing my tires. I have been fortunate so far not to receive any tickets. I hope to continue the streak. Knock on wood.

Why can't I hear the sweet, sweet music?

Last week, I thought it would be a good idea to start taking my headphones home with me from work. Every morning when I work I listen to music to help keep me sane. If I didn't have my music, I would be forced listen to the police scanner, look at the TV and everyone else's conversations at normal tones. I always have my music down low enough to actually hear the scanner and everyone's conversations. We can't hear the TV because the volume is always low.

The day after I took my headphones home, I took them out of my photo bag. They looked like they survived the trip because they weren't broken in half. I plugged them in and stuck in a CD in the tower and waited for the itunes to come up. When it did, I pressed play. The music was great, until the singing started. I could barely hear George Strait singing. In both ears I could hear the music just fine. Only on the left side could I hear the singing, just barely. What words I did hear, it sounded like someone was playing the music down the hall with the door closed. That made me sad.

Monday morning I put a CD in and started itunes. This time I could hear only the music. That really made me angry. Since I couldn't hear the words, it was a waste of time. I found another pair of headphones in my drawer and used those the rest of the morning. These headphones were worst. The good part was I could hear the music and the singing, the bad part was these headphones had the earpieces that went in your ear. These aren't the nice earpieces that come with ipods, these earpieces were huge and really didn't fit in my ear. After five minutes of having them in my ear, I had to take them off. They were hurting my ear and giving me a headache. I kept that up all morning. I probably shouldn't have, but I had to listen to music.

After using the headphones from hell yesterday, I went back to my old pair. Before putting them on, I twisted them in hopes of making the left side work. A half hour or so passed and out of nowhere I heard singing out of the left side. It was awesome. The joy didn't last long. I moved and the sound went away. For the rest of the morning, I was moving my head constantly to get my headphones to work properly. One second the sound would be back, the next it was the music down the hall again. I finally gave up and accepted that I need to buy new headphones. When I do buy them, they will not go in my camera bag without a protective case. I don't need to bust a move at my desk just to listen to tunes.

Weekend update

While out for a 4 mile run Saturday morning, I found $10. It was laying in the street near a curb. I picked it up and put it in my pocket. That found money bought me my dinner later that night. What did I get? Nachos, of course. The last time I found money it was way back in elementary. I found $20 in the hallway of a school during a boys varsity basketball game. It will probably be another 20+ years before I find anymore money.

Sunday morning, I drove down to Toledo, Ohio to meet a couple for an engagement session. We meet at Toledo Botanical Garden. What a beautiful place! If I didn't have to return home soon after I would have loved to stay and taken photos for myself. So many flowers and gardens to look at.

Over the weekend, my DVR was busy. I will spend a good chuck of time this afternoon before my evening sports assignment catching up on all of the TV shows and movies that were taped. First I have to finish watching Psycho that was taped Saturday night on AMC.

Random things

Oh my gosh! I'm such a dork. All morning and afternoon, I've been checking TV websites for an episode recap of one of my new favorite shows, Mad Men. There isn't one. After loading a picture on my photo blog this morning, I went downstairs to watch last night's episode on the DVR. I went to watch it but the taping was interrupted and only recorded a minute. That frustrated me more. I finally went to AMC's website and looked up the episodes. I just saw that the next episode, Episode 10: The Long Weekend airs September 27 which is next week. They didn't have a new show this week. So I have been checking these TV sites all day. No wonder I never found a recap.

This afternoon, we taught our two German Shepherds, Blitzkrieg and Kelly to walk up and down the basement stairs. For some reason they have no problems walking/running up and down the stairs from the first and second floors of our home, but they dislike the basement steps. Since they were puppies, they have always been afraid to walk down into the basement. My husband first got Kelly to come downstairs. Her legs were shaking and she was scared. When she was down in the basement, she stayed low to the ground and was sniffing everything. We got her to walk back upstairs. She was unsure and her back legs were shaking. But she made it up. The next time, she walked down and up all by herself. Blitzkrieg was a different story. We had to put him on his leash. He was so scared to come down the stairs. We he made it down the stairs, he acted just like Kelly did. Stayed low to the ground and sniffed everything. He put his paws on the stairs to go back up. He climbed up two steps, stopped and turned around. With some help he made it upstairs. Kelly now walks up and down the steps with no problems. Blitzkrieg is still reluctant. If someone is walking with him he will go down. He is still chicken and won't do it alone.

Miles run in 2007

I had the evening off yesterday, I planned to go on a nice run. I ended up running 5 miles. It was not a good run. It was hot outside, my right knee started to hurt during the run and two girls sitting on their porch said "Hey Baby" to me. When I passed by them without even looking at them. The girl who said hey went on to say, "You're not interested in girls?" Her little buddy thought that was funny. Why do people have to say something when you run by? Is it people in this town or is it all over?

Anyhoo. With the 5 mile run, that put me over 400 miles run this year. Only 98 more miles to hit my goal of 500 miles run for the year 2007.

Miles run through September 20:
2007: 402.0
2006: 353.5
2005: 243.1
2004: 214.5

One ends, another begins

Last night was the final episode for Big Brother 8. Since it was on at 9 pm EST, I didn't watch it. I recorded the show on my DV-R. I'm not one to wait until I watch the show to find out what happened. I had to know immediately who won when I woke up this morning. I went to my favorite spoilers website and found out Dick was named the winner of Big Brother 8. I was pleased with the vote. I'm excited that the show is over for the summer. For the past three months, I have been visiting spoiler Internet sites and reading what was going on in the house thanks to the live feeds that others subscribed to. I was a maniac. I was constantly checking these sites to see what the house guests were doing next. I don't know why this summer was the one that I decided to read all the spoilers. I never have in the past seven seasons. I guess that will free up my afternoons now.

Tonight starts a new cycle of America's Next Top Model. I have only started watching this show at cycle four, but thanks to the marathons on VH1 and MTV, I have seen all eight cycles. For this show there are no spoiler websites. Even though I will always try to watch the new episodes, the next morning I will be on TV websites reading the recaps. I'm such a geek.

Weekend update

Friday was the start of my 10 year high school reunion. The class met at the football game and mingled. I happened to be photographing the game for work, so when I was finished at half time I joined my classmates for a while. I found out that everyone was meeting after the game to eat dinner.

After leaving work and letting my dogs outside, I drove to the restaurant. I found our table and it was packed. There were about 22 of us altogether. Many of my classmates brought there spouse, my husband was unable to attend due to work. Sitting next to me was a guy who graduated a year behind me. He was friends with mostly everyone in our class. He decided it would be fun to throw ice cubes at another classmate a couple of tables down. He didn't have any ice cubes, so I gave him some. After the ice cubes, he took my lemon and threw it down. My classmate was annoyed and threw it back. Unfortunately it hit me instead of his target, class of 1998 boy. He apologized to me and said he wanted it to hit '98 boy. The waitress came back to our table and '98 boy ordered a glass of ice. When he received it, he threw more ice. Eventually he stopped. About 11:45 pm, we left the restaurant and headed to the bar.

The first bar we stopped at was packed. We decided to go to another bar around the corner. This bar hardly had anyone in it so we found a table easily. The dinner and the bar was fun. It was great catching up with everyone. Finding out that they were married, where they were living, what their job was. The highlight of the night is when Class of 98 boy mooned us from the bar. Around 1:30 am, most of us called it a night. A lot of people said it was past their bedtime. I knew it was past mine because I had to work Saturday morning, early.

Early Saturday morning I set my alarm clock for 7:20 am because my volleyball tournament was supposed to start at 8:30 am. I get to the school at 8:20 am and no one is on the volleyball courts. Come to find out the tournament didn't start until 9 am. That made me angry. I could have slept a bit longer.

Around 5 pm I got in my car and drove to the restaurant for dinner. After everyone showed up there were over 30 of us in attendance. Mostly everyone brought their spouse with them. My husband couldn't attend again due to work. Dinner was great and I sat with a couple of my friends from high school. I was disappointed that one of my good friends was a no-show for both days. I really wanted to see her and catch up.

After dinner and a lot drinking by other people, we walked across the street to the party store. I picked up a six pack of Smirnoff Wild Grape and everyone else got 24 packs of beer. The cashier made a comment about me wearing my winter coat. I told her it was supposed to be 40 degrees out later that night. We piled into our cars and drove to the host's house for a bonfire. The bonfire was fun, but cold. I actually wore a sweater and my winter coat. I didn't know I would be sitting outside for a couple of hours, but I'm glad I put those on. After talking to to most of my classmates near the bonfire and having one Smirnoff, I decided it was time to go home. It was after 10:30 pm and I was getting tired. I said goodbye to my two friends and left.

I loved my 10 year reunion. Some classmates didn't show up because they said that they have been trying to forget high school. I guess that they are entitled to their own opinion. But I think everyone who showed up had a good time. I would have really liked some more time to visit with some friends that don't live in the area anymore. But I'm glad that I did get to talk with them even though it was for a short time. Hopefully the 20 year reunion will be just as fun.

What?

What happened to Postsecret? Who is nicole?

EDIT: According to Postsecret, Blogger locked them. Blogger thought that they were a spam blog.

Random things

Wednesday and Thursday I ran outside back to back days. Wednesday I ran 5 miles and felt really good. Thursday I ran 4 miles and my legs were extremely tired. During my 5 mile run, I was forced to stop twice at crosswalks to allow traffic to pass by. Thursday I stopped several times on my own giving my legs a break. I don't know if this made my 4 mile run any better, but someone did whistle at me.

After thinking I was going to die on my 4 mile run, I had to get ready for my anniversary dinner with my husband. My husband made reservations for a 7:30 pm dinner. This was clearly the best dinner I have eaten all year. Before any of our food was ready, our server brought us out an amuse bouche, a bite-sized morsel served before the first course of a meal. The only reason I knew what a amuse bouche was from watching Top Chef. I started the meal off with a tossed apple-buttermilk ranch salad and for dinner I ate char crusted beef tenderloin with a forest mushroom-roasted shallot timbale with goat cheese and green beans. My husband had a Charleston crab cake and for dinner braised short ribs with wasabi whipped potatoes, asian vegetable and fried rice noodles. For dessert we shared a chocolate lava cake. The meal was wonderful, the service was wonderful and the evening was wonderful.

Even though we ate our anniversary dinner last night, still doesn't mean I have bought my husband a gift yet. I'm probably going to buy it before work tonight or after work tomorrow morning. Its not that exciting, so I'm not going to list it here.

About a week ago, I received a birthday card from my husband's parents. Along with the birthday card was a gift certificate to the running store in town. I wanted to find a nice running jacket, so I stopped by this morning. I saw one that I wanted and debated on whether I wanted to buy it or save my money for my husband's anniversary gift. I told the owner I would pass on it and wait for another shipment of jackets in a month. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted the jacket I looked at. Later this afternoon, I went back to the store and bought the jacket. The owner was joking with me and said is this your anniversary gift to your husband? I said it was like an anniversary gift to myself.

One day left before my 10-year high school reunion dinner. I'm hoping it will be fun.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann
Princess Grace, Sarah Bradford
John Wayne's America, Garry Wills

Currently Reading: Jack and Jackie, Christopher Andersen
Up Next: Henry Ford and the Jews, Neil Baldwin

Not like we need it now

The temperature outside is 57 degrees. The high today is only supposed to reach 66 degrees. This is important because as I type my husband and I are having our air conditioning installed. We lived in our house without it for five years. Five years, that is long enough. How did I go 21 years living at home without it? After getting a taste of it from our first apartment, we decided it was time to have one installed.

Sure the hot days of summer are way behind us and we probably won't even turn it on for the rest of this year. But next year when it is hot and humid outside, we can relax in the cool air coming from the air conditioning. Now we don't have to have three fans working at the same time in one room. The dogs won't be sitting in front of the fans blocking the breeze. It should be nice and cool. I bet the dogs would agree.

That's a fine piece of wood

Wood?

Wood.

Saturday is my 6th Wedding Anniversary and I'm looking for gift ideas. I looked up anniversary gift ideas on the Internet and I found a site that lists the traditional and modern gifts for each anniversary. On the site they have a listing for the 100th Wedding Anniversary gift. It is a 10K Diamond. Has any couple made it to their 100th wedding anniversary? Anyhoo.

What I care about is the 6th wedding anniversary because it is less then a week away. The traditional gifts for this special occasion is candy or iron. The modern gift of the sixth anniversary is wood. Most people will think dirty thoughts on the modern gift. I thought of it myself, but I'm planning on buying a gift from a store. Some suggestions from the website is a pine scented candle, wood furniture, wood carving, woody fragrances, firewood or a bonsai plant. I don't see myself buying any of these items. A candle? I think we have enough of them in the house, besides a candle as an anniversary gift? CHEAP! We don't need anymore furniture. We don't have a fireplace and I don't need my husband to smell like the woods.

I keep asking my husband what he would like. He answers, "I don't know." The sad thing is that I answer the same way. I know what I would like, but they are expensive. I would like a new Nikon digital camera and a laptop. I know that I would never receive those as gifts. Those are things that I have to buy myself.

I'll keep looking around the Internet for ideas. Hopefully I find something soon that I know he will like. If you have any suggestions, let me know. Those could be better then mine.

Weekend update

Not all University of Michigan teams got hammered this weekend like the football team. Saturday the Michigan women's cross country team had seven runners place in the top 10 at the Indiana Open in Bloomington, Indiana. Michigan's Erin Webster was the winner of the race.

After watching Michigan lose to Oregon, I was upset again when Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s engine blew with six laps to go at the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 in Richmond, Virginia. With that DNF, Junior finished 198 points behind Kevin Harvick for the final spot in the Top 12 and is locked out of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. I hope he can get a win before the season is over, but if not, I hope he does better next season with his new team.

While Junior's engine was blowing up, I created a slideshow from Brian & Theresé's reception on September 1. To see it, go here.

It must be a miracle! The Detroit Lions defeated Oakland Raiders Sunday 36-21. My favorite player Jason Hanson had three field goals good from 46, 46 & 23 yards. Next week the Lions play Minnesota at home. Let's see if they can do it again next week.

I agree with Daniele, Zach was acting smug when she was talking to him in the Head of Household room. He has been a floater all season, not taking sides. I don't want him to win. I want a Donato to win. Dick and Daniele have been playing the game best all summer. I can't wait until Daniele uses the Power of Veto on herself Tuesday and sends Jameka home. Then its down to the final three.

Something new

I bought a slideshow a couple of days ago. I wanted it so I can create nice slideshows for clients. After two days of trying to get it loaded, I finally did this morning. To see my first slideshow from Dan and Laura's wedding, go to Deloris Clark-Osborne Photography and select blog or just go here.

Weekend update

Friday, I didn't drive to Dexter to watch the University of Michigan cross country teams run in the Wolverine Open. I decided to stay at home to do work. I really didn't do work. I took a nap, ran 3 miles, ate nachos, read and watched TV. That was a productive day.

Saturday morning I went to work for an hour and a half. After work, I came home and ran 3 miles on my treadmill. Since I couldn't see Michigan lose to Appalachian State and I really didn't care about the other football games on TV, I took a nap before going to photograph a wedding reception. The couple got married earlier in the week down at the Cayman Islands and waited until they got back for the reception. The hors d'oeuvres, dinner, cake and chocolate treat were wonderful. I did feel bad for the bride. Before their first dance, one of her bridesmaids was carrying a glass of red wine. She walked around a corner and collided with the groom. The wine from her glass ended up on the bride's dress. Not just one spot. All down the front of her dress.

Sunday I watched the final day of IAAF World Championships in track and field from Osaka, Japan. I actually watched all nine days of competition on NBC and VS and it was awesome. The United States won the most medals with 26, 14 of them were gold. Russia came in second with 16 medals. The races that I was most interested in was the 1500 and 5000 meter run. Bernard Lagat from Arizona became the first man to win both the 1500 and 5000 at the World Championships. He was also the first American to ever win a medal in the 5000. Besides watching track, running 4 miles and reading, I actually did work on my computer like I wanted to all weekend. I'm designing a wedding album for a couple and I completed six pages in just over an hour. Today I want to keep working on the album and maybe finish it up tomorrow.

Books read in 2007

Instead of working on my computer this weekend, I was on my couch finishing another book. I eventually got around to working, only after my 4 mile run this afternoon.

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann
Princess Grace, Sarah Bradford

Currently Reading: John Wayne's America, Garry Wills
Up Next: Jack and Jackie, Christopher Andersen

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann

Currently Reading: Princess Grace, Sarah Bradford
Up Next: John Wayne's America, Garry Wills

Random things

With Tuesday's terrible run, I have run 361 miles so far this year!

This afternoon I get to babysit the dogs upstairs in my home office, while a company comes over to talk to my husband about air conditioning and a new door. My dogs are not fans of visitors.

Since it is Labor Day weekend, I'm photographing a high school football game tonight. With the game being tonight, that means I have Friday night off. That is rare during football season.

I'm debating on whether I want to drive up to Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter Friday to watch the University of Michigan cross country teams run in the Wolverine Open. I would love to watch the cross country teams, especially the women, run but I do have to finish work on the last wedding I photographed. So what's more important, fun or work? Tough call. I'm make the decision tomorrow.

University of Michigan has their first home football game Saturday at the Big House in Ann Arbor. I won't be able to watch it because the Big Ten Network doesn't have a channel on my cable provider. I guess I will have to settle for highlights. BOO!

No work on Monday, Labor Day. YAY!

Ten years already

Today I just RVSP'd to my 10-year high school reunion dinner. It doesn't seem like I have been away from high school that long. It will be great seeing all of my high school friends again. When we went to college, we all went in separate directions and eventually lost touch. Now we can spend a nice evening together and catch up.

Miles run in 2007

Most of the week was very humid. I ran inside on my treadmill to stay away from the humidity, but I think I did sweat as much as I would have if I ran outside. Sunday was nice, it wasn't hot or humid. I ran outside. The first mile was good, no problems. During the middle of the second mile, I developed stomach cramps and my right knee hurt. I was less then a mile away from my house and I thought I should just go home. But I didn't. I continued on and eventually the cramps and my knee pain went away. I finished my 5.1 mile run about 10 minutes slower then I should have, but I know I did slow down during that second mile.

Miles run through August 26:
2007: 358.0
2006: 322.9
2005: 232.9
2004: 204.0

Try it again

I have to wait one more day for my first football game of the season. The game I was at tonight was delayed due to a huge storm of heavy rain and lightening. After it stopped raining, we had to wait a half hour due to lightening strikes. The home and visiting football head coaches went into the school to look at the radar to see if more storms were coming our way. Both coaches decided to go ahead with the game. After the decision we still had to wait a half hour and then go through 48 minutes of warm ups. About 15 minutes after the decision was made to try to play the game, both coaches agreed to postpone the game until Saturday evening at 7 pm.

Tomorrow, I will definitely see my first football game of the year and I hope by then the rain will have cleared out.

Just one day away

Friday marks the beginning of the high school football season in Michigan. I can't believe a new season on one of my favorite sports starts already. I really enjoy the first couple of weeks during of the season because I can wear shorts without being cold and the sun doesn't set until halftime or after. With the sun still in the sky, I can shoot without my flash and a faster shutter speed which makes for better photos.

Tomorrow should be an enjoyable day for football. The weather is supposed to be 89 degrees, humid and a 40% chance of thundershowers. I hope the rain stays away. I would like the first football game of the season to be rain free.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger

Currently Reading: Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann
Up Next: Princess Grace, Sarah Bradford

Weekend update

Friday - I drove to Ann Arbor to photograph a wedding. I drove 45 minutes north to meet the bride and her bridesmaids at 11:30 am at the hotel. They were late, the bride apologized and said there were problems at the alteration place. Once we were all in the bridal suite, the hairstylists came. They did everyone's hair and then came the second issue, how to pay. Most of the girls had credit cards, but they didn't accept them. They only took cash or check. The problem was solved when the bride's mother paid and everyone agreed to pay her back. Later, I was already at the church, but the limo was stuck in traffic due to a crash. The groom's sisters were late because they got lost. We waited for them because they were both reading at the wedding. The wedding was delayed over a half hour. Since the wedding was delayed, the reception was delayed. After the wedding I tried to hurry along everyone with the photos. I think I was successful. The start of the reception was a half hour after it was supposed to start. When the bridal party was seated, the toasts were given and dinner was served. The rest of the night went by smoothly and I walked into my house at 11:30 pm.

Saturday - I had to be up early to photograph the Cross Country Preview in Tecumseh. It was the first cross country race of the season and I was excited to photograph it. The XC preview is divided into two groups the Freshman-Sophomore and Junior-Senior race. The first race didn't start on time, which didn't surprise me at all. But once it got going, it went by fast. Watching the races, it was obvious who put in the miles over the summer. There were some great times for the first race of the season. After editing my photos, I left work at 12:30 pm. After work, I ate lunch and watched TV. Later I took a nap on the couch before going to church. Once church was over I had all intensions of running. I never ran. I put gas into my car, called a local restaurant and placed an order for nachos. After eating those, there was no way I was going to run. I decided to try to make it up on Sunday.

Sunday - I did run, but not as much as I wanted. My legs were tired from standing most of Friday at the wedding and I only ran 3 miles instead of 5. I completed the week with 11 miles run. I was supposed to run 17 miles for the week, but I missed running days of 4 and 5 miles because of work. This week, I plan on running 17 miles to make up for last week.

August 15, 1998 - Nine years ago

John Wayne Clark

April 10, 1942 - August 15, 1998

When My Father Died

by Edwin Brock

One the day my father died

All of the hoops in the neighborhood rang

Skate wheels shrilled on summer pavements

And I in my blakey boots clanged one foot in each gutter

On the day my father died

Girls were running autumn eyed, with wild hair

And hands of silk; peg tops had come round again

And in the sky the angels were as plain as wings

But on the day my father died

White faces fell from every window

And every house found rooms of tears to hide

While I, joy - jumping, empty eyed sang on the day my father died

Now my father dies a little every day

And the faces from each window grow like mine

I miss you

Stuff about me

Jobs I've Held:
Marking room (I used a pricing gun to tag items in a grocery store), Salad Bar Prep, Shoe salesman, Bookseller, Photo Lab Assistant, Freelance Photographer, Photo Technician, Photographer, Business Owner

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
Prefontaine, Patton, Notorious, Quiz Show, Silence of the Lambs, Fatherland, North by Northwest, The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Ocean's 11 (1960), The American President, In The Line of Fire, All of the President's Men, Rocky IV

My Guilty Pleasures:
Big Brother

Places I Have Lived:
Adrian, MI

Shows I Enjoy:
Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Big Love, Six Feet Under, Family Guy, The Shield, Project Runway, Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, Big Brother, Seinfeld, Feasting on Asphalt, The Next Food Network Star, Dr. G: Medical Examiner, Millennium, 30-Minute Meals, Everyday Italian

Favorite Foods:
Steak and Applebee's Nachos Nuevos

Websites I Visit Daily:
Detroit Free Press, The Toledo Blade, USA Today, NY Post, Fox News, Google News, TV Squad, TVgasm

Blogs I Visit Daily:
A Reporters Ramblings, A Serving of Life, Adventures of Badgergirl, Angry Feminist Runner Rants, BSC Headquarters, Conversation with Myself, Diary of a Police Officer, Dooce, Greek Tragedy, Jurgen Nation, Look at me, Maliavale, Nabbalicious, Poppy Cedes, Something to Look Forward To, Tara Whitney, The Johnny Law Chronicles, The Thoughts of a Future Donut Addict, This is Life, Yesterday.Today.Tomorrow

Body Parts I Have injured:
I have twisted both ankles severely several times

Nicknames I've Been Called:
D-Red, Doris, Delo, D-Lo, Dee, Red

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Leni, Steven Bach
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote

Currently Reading: The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Up Next: Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Graham McCann

Don't tempt me with that

I haven't drank a pop, soda, etc. for over two years. I have never thought of actually going back to drinking it. I was tempted to yesterday.

My husband was drinking a cold Sprite. I asked to smell it. He gave me the bottle and it smelled so delicious. He told me to have a sip. I said no. He said that I have enough self control to only have one sip. I said no again.

Later, while he was at work I was thirsty. I opened the refrigerator and saw the bottle of Sprite. I grabbed it and twisted off the cap. I kept thinking that I have enough self control for one drink. I had the bottle up to my lips, but I couldn't do it. I knew if I had this one drink it would be over for me. All of the hard work of giving it up. Living without it. It would be over. I twisted the top back on the bottle and put it back in the fridge. So I found the next best thing to quench my thirst: Smirnoff Wild Grape.

PS: Happy Wedding day Krista!

Posts that almost were

Not much has been going on with me this week. I tried everyday to write a post, but they were not exciting. Here are the highlights, if you want to call them that.

- Monday I did everything that I could think of to avoid my four mile run. I watched TV, checked my email, read blogs, surfed the web and talked on the phone. I finally just laced up my shoes, ran on the treadmill and got it over with. I debated on whether or not I should run outside. I chose the treadmill due to the fact it was over 90 degrees and humid outside.

- Wednesday I covered a junior golf tournament. I almost got hit in the head by a golf ball on three consecutive times by a foursome. The first golfer hit it straight off of his tee to the fairway. The second, third and fourth golfer hit their ball a couple of feet over my head. The second golfer laughed. Yeah, I didn't think it was that funny.

- This morning, a heavy rain came down and flooded some city streets. I was asked to go take some pictures. Walking to the flooded street, three boys on bikes were standing on the sidewalk. When I saw what I wanted to shoot I took my camera out of my raincoat and starting taking pictures. The boys saw my camera and started waving and asking me to take pictures of them. When kids say "take a picture of me" in my book that automatically means I will not take their picture. I wasn't going to take their picture in the first place, but when they yelled that at me I just went about my way and walked away from them. They didn't like that so they kept yelling at me. "Do you work for the paper?" "Do you hate your job?" I never answered them and they finally rode away on their bicycles.

Exciting News

Friday afternoon I received a Bridal Guide Magazine in the mail. As a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), I had the opportunity to have my name placed in a PPA advertisement in three issues. Besides having my business named in the ad, information is also listed on their website. When I filled out the paperwork for the ad, I also submitted a photo. One photographer would be selected to have their photo placed on the PPA ad.

When I received the magazine, I looked through it until I found the ad. It was exciting to see my business name in a national ad. After seeing my name, I put the magazine on my end table. When I got home Saturday evening I saw an envelope with the Bridal Guide logo on it. I knew it was the receipt for my payment. Along with the receipt was a copy of the ad. I looked at the ad and folded it back up to put it back into the envelope. But I stopped. Something on that page caught my eye. I opened the letter back up and saw my photograph on the top of the page. I was so happy that Bridal Guide chose my photo to use with the first PPA ad! My wedding photo was used in a national magazine. I've never been so thrilled!

Thank you Angie and Lance for giving me such a great photo!

Photo taken at Toledo Musuem of Art - Toledo, Ohio.

Not that I'm weird, but it is interesting

I was reading an article this morning on newspaper's website. It was about OJ Simpson and someone commented on the story. This is what Gone Fishing wrote:

Actor Robert Blake (Beretta; Our Gang) found "Not Guilty" of murdering his wife with a gun.In addition, not enough evidence to put Actor Robert Wagner(It Takes a Thief; Heart to Heart) on trial for the murder of his wife, actress Natalie Wood(East of Eden; ) who he was alone with on their yacht adrift in California waters when she "fell overboard" and suspiciously drowned. Actor William Shatner (Star Trek) never charged with wife's death whose body was discovered drowned in their house pool and he was home. Album producer Phil Specter (Beatles albums) charged lately with murdering a night club girlfriend he took home and she was found shot in the head by a handgun. Actor OJ Simpson(Towering Inferno; Naked Gun) found not guilty of murdering wife, Nicole Simpson.

I read the list and saw Robert Wagner's name. I didn't know he was married to Natalie Wood. So I looked her up on the Internet and read about her life and about how she died. Another link to Wood was Find A Grave. It is a website that has pictures of famous people's graves. I was probably on that site for an hour or two. A co-worker came over to my desk to chat and asked what I was doing. I showed him the site and he started giving me names to type in. I looked up so many people today. I looked up Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, George C. Scott, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Howard Hughes, Dale Earnhardt, George Peppard, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Gen. George S. Patton, Natalie Wood, Alfred Hitchcock and more. I think its interesting that all of these people were so big in life and most of them have small headstones. Nothing to say that they were any different then anyone else.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Just Jackie, Edward Kline

Currently Reading: Leni, Steven Bach
Up Next: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote

Miles run in 2007

Now that my 5K is over and my shins don't hurt anymore, I can get back to my training schedule. Two weeks ago when I was following the plan, I left off running 13 and 14 miles a week. This week my plan tells me to run another 14 miles. Today I'm planning to run 4 miles probably on my treadmill where it will be cooler. Next week it jumps up to 17 miles. It should be fun.

Miles run through August 1:
2004: 180.4
2005: 218.5
2006: 292.7
2007: 301.6

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson

Currently Reading: Just Jackie, Edward Kline
Up Next: Leni, Steven Bach

Weekend update

Saturday morning, I ran the Hudson Booster 5K Cross Country Open. I was a nice morning, just a bit humid. For the first mile, I ran with Onsted High School's assistant cross country coach. I told him if he left me during the race that would be OK. At the mile marker, he said goodbye to me and went on his way. That is when I developed stomach cramps. I started to slow down and I heard footsteps behind me. I never turned around to see who was behind me. I knew I didn't want them to pass me. Around 1.5 miles, the cramps went away and I picked my pace back up. I never heard the footsteps again. After seven hills I was tired, but I sprinted to the finish line. I finished 164th and placed second in my age group with the time of 35:45.7. That was my second fastest time on that course.

Saturday afternoon, I had a photo shoot with a model. A recent high school graduate that I know, she agreed to be my model for an hour. We were walking on a sidewalk in town when a car load of guys drove by and whistled, screamed and did cat calls. We laughed and walked onto railroad tracks to set up her shot. About thirty seconds later, the same car drove by two more times yelling and whistling. I love teenage boys!

Saturday evening, I finally opened my birthday present from my husband. It was Nike dri-fit clothing from Eastbay. He bought me a couple of new tops that are in the Pre Lives collection. After I opened my present, we drove down to Toledo, Ohio to eat at Texas Roadhouse. I had a steak and my husband had ribs. It was very good meal, I especially loved the dinner rolls with the cinnamon butter.

Sunday, I finished a book and ran. That was the fifth time I ran in a week. I usually never run five times a week. The reason I ran is that I was four miles away from the 300 mile mark. I only ran two miles, but today I will go over that mark when I run later this afternoon. I'm getting closer to my New Year's resolution of 500 miles run for the year, only 200 more miles to go.

28

Today is my 28th birthday. Thank you everyone for the kind words that I received in the past two days.

My husband and me at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, MI.

Running and birthdays

This week I'm trying to take in easy with my running. I have a 5K this weekend and I don't want overdo it so I'm tired during the race. Now I have a new problem. Over the weekend my left knee hurt. This week it is shin splints.

While running on my treadmill yesterday, my shins were in pain. The few half mile was the worst. After that the pain was minimal. Later that evening I went to the county fair to see my husband at his merchant's booth. Around 9 pm, I left the fair and began walking back to my car. I was walking across the dirt horse race track and I started to run up a small hill. At that point my shins were screaming at me. How could I have gotten shin splints now? I haven't had them all year and now I have them with three days to go before my 5K. I'm still going to run that 5K, with shin splints and all. Besides the shins there will seem to be another problem: rain. The weather man predicted rain Saturday morning. Now that will be interesting: shins splits + hills + rain = FUN!

Thursday, July 26, is my birthday. I will be 28. My husband, a couple of friends and I will be having lunch tomorrow after work. Yes, I am working on my birthday. I know most people take their birthday off, but I didn't. To me, its not that big of deal. Other then the lunch tomorrow, my husband and I will be celebrating Saturday evening with a dinner. I don't know what he got me for my birthday. I did drop hints about more running clothes. I guess I will find out later.

Weekend update

Its over. I already miss it. Staying up later then normal. Sleeping in. Those days are over for now. My vacation ended Sunday. I had a good time, but now its back to work.

Thursday morning, my husband and I headed up to Dearborn to go to The Henry Ford museum. There was so much to see. I think we were in the museum for five or six hours. When we first arrived at the museum, my husband stopped to read most of the descriptions in front of the objects. Near the end of the visit, we mostly looked at things and kept walking. My favorite pieces of the museum was the train engine/cars, doll houses, JFK's limo that he rode in the day was assassinated and Lincoln's chair from Ford's Theatre.

Friday morning I decided to run on the hotel's treadmill. While my husband was still sleeping, I stretched and walked down to the fitness center. It really wasn't a fitness center, it had a step stepper, treadmill and a bike. I got on the treadmill and started running. It felt weird. The belt was jerking and it really wasn't smooth. Since I didn't like the treadmill, I only ran a mile.

After our delicious hotel breakfast, we checked out and headed to Greenfield Village. It was fun walking around looking at the old houses and businesses. Some of the houses had actors in them portraying life from that time period. They cooked meals and attended to work in the barns or gardens. My husband and I took a break before lunch to ride the train around the village. A woman, son, her mother and three friends sat in front of us. Every conversation was about this woman and her life. I'm doing this. I'm doing that. My son named all of the trains at the roundhouse. My husband and I kept rolling our eyes at each other. We were so happy to step off the train and get away from them. We stayed about six hours and saw every house, business and shop at the village.

Later that afternoon, my left knee was in pain. It hurt to bend it. It didn't help any that we went to a Detroit Tigers game later that night. There was hardly any room between the seats, so my leg was in a awkward position all nine innings. Besides my knee being in pain. It was so windy and cold, especially in the upper deck. I only brought a light jacket with me and it didn't help. The wind was blowing right threw it. The Tigers were getting hammered 10-2 and I kept saying "Get Out". I just wanted the game over so we could go back to the car and warm up.

Sunday I decided to run only a couple of miles on my treadmill. My knee and calf did hurt while running. Slowly the pain went away, but I'm still playing it safe. I don't know how much I will run this week. I have to get my knee better for the 5K race coming up Saturday. If my knee still hurts by Saturday, I will still run. But not as fast.

The training program

So far so good.

For the past three weeks, I have been sticking to the training program I put myself on. The first week I ran 14.1 miles. Week two I stayed inside for most of my runs and only ran 13.1. Week three is still in progress, but I'm at 7.5 miles. I still have two more days of running this week, Saturday and Sunday. Next week I will alter my schedule because of the upcoming 5K race that I'm in. Week five will be back to normal.

My run yesterday was horrible. I told my husband I was going for a four mile run. He asked outside? I said yes. It was a mistake. I ran slow because it was so humid outside. Besides being so humid my legs felt like jello. Every step I took it amazed me because I was still running when my legs wanted me to stop. Around 3.4 miles I kinda gave in. I stopped at an intersection waiting for traffic to clear and taking a breather. When a truck and van left the area and no other cars were coming my way, I started running. About .40 of a mile later, I couldn't continue. I stopped and walked. The minute walk break was nice. At the last intersection that I come to on that route, I had the don't cross signal. I waited for traffic to pass then I walked through the intersection. I walked until the next block and ran the rest of the way home. After the 4.1 mile run I was surprised that I ran for so long when my legs felt like crap. I guess that is the distance runner in me that says keep going when you don't want to.

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming
Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman

Currently Reading: Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson
Up Next: Just Jackie, Edward Kline

That's that way to say goodbye. Take a chuck of my arm.

It was a glorious day Tuesday. The sun was shining and it wasn't too hot. I went for a nice 3.4 mile run in the morning because my husband and I had plans for the evening. I actually had plans, my husband had to attend a city commission meeting. My plans were hosting a jewelry party.

Before the jewelry party my husband put harnesses on our dogs, Blitzkrieg and Kelly. It was time for them to be taken to the kennel for their doggy vacation. Both dogs were so excited to be going somewhere in the car. My husband rolled down both back windows so they could stick their heads out and smell the air. With the back windows rolled down, dog hair was circulating the car and getting all over my husband's dress pants. I suggested rolling the windows up, he did. And Blitzkrieg went crazy. Usually when the windows are rolled up he thinks its almost time to get out of the car. Blitzkrieg was whining in my husband's ears. He rolled the windows back down and Blitzkrieg stuck his head out the window again.

Our drop off time at the kennel was 5 pm. We arrived ten minutes already. We got out and let the dogs walk around, relieve themselves and sniff. During the course of waiting to check in our dogs, Blitzkrieg kept wrapping his lead around me or my legs. I did my best to untangle myself and the leads. After the fourth or fifth time, Blitzkrieg didn't like that. Next thing I know he is jumping up and he bit my left arm. Blitzkrieg left five marks. My husband pulled him back and asked if I was okay. I was. The stinging was bad. I was holding Kelly's leash, so I took her back near the car to sit on a bench. My husband asked if I was bleeding. At first I said no, then I looked again and said I was. That dog made me bleed my own blood.*

Finally the kennel owner came out to let the dogs in. She asked Blitzkrieg if he remembered her. He just sniffed her and ran into the kennel. Blitzkrieg and Kelly were so happy to be there. We walked through the kennel and she opened the backdoor to the fenced in area. Blitzkrieg and Kelly ran all over and marked their spots many times over. The kennel owner let them in from the yard and they went right in their cage. It was at that point I asked the owner if I could clean my bite marks in her sink. I put soap on it and it stung. She asked what happened and I said Blitzkrieg bit me. I'm glad he just went after my arm and not hers. We said goodbye to the dogs and got back into the car.

When we got back into town, my husband dropped me off in front of our house. My sister was already inside setting up her jewelry displays. I needed to get ready for the party. I got out the delicious cheesecake brownies I made that morning and stirred the nacho dip. I got out all of the supplies for the deep fried mac and cheese. I got some ready for the oil and put them into the pan. The squares were supposed to be in the oil for a minute. Not even a minute later, smoke is rolling out of the pan. I burned the bottoms of the first batch. The oil was too hot and also there wasn't enough. At this point almost every room is filled with smoke. I decided that there wasn't enough time to finish before everyone started arriving. I aborted the project. We already had ham/turkey subs, chips, nacho dip and cheesecake brownies. There was enough food to go around.

The first half hour of the party everyone just ate. When my sister Diane, who is a nurse, saw my dog bite, she instantly went into nurse mode. She put some cream on my arm and asked if I washed it out. After that my sister Denise, started her talk on Premier Designs jewelry. She had a nice display of jewelry. She would talk about a piece then pass it around. After her talk, she handed everyone a book to look through. Everyone bought something. With enough sales at the party I received some free gifts. I picked out two necklaces and earrings. Diane and my mom each bought me a necklace for my upcoming birthday, July 26. So I made out from the party, four necklaces, earrings and a free hostess gift. All for free! It was pretty sweet.

*Reference to the movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

Random things

Vacation is really nice. I've enjoyed going to sleep later then 9 pm. I have been going to sleep around midnight every night. Before I had a full-time job that required me to be at work around 5 am, I always went to bed late. Its nice to actually go to sleep when it is dark out, not when it is still light out like I have been doing the past six summers.

While watching the Next Food Network Star last night, I was surprised at the final two. Rory and Jag. After the judges told Amy that they were going to let her go, the TV screen went black and this is where the twist happened. Jag lied to the judges about his past. He said that he graduated from culinary school and served in Afghanistan with the Marines. Both were lies. When he met with the producers in a face to face interview he said he did go to culinary school but did not graduate. He also served in the Marines, but never went to Afghanistan. It was at that point he withdrew himself from the competition. The judges had no choice to bring back Amy for the final two.

I didn't understand why they got rid of her in the first place. She was better then Jag in all of the competitions and when they cooked live on the air on the Rachael Ray show. Next week the votes will be in and we will find out who will get their own show on the Food Network. Hopefully it will be Amy. I love to watch the Food Network, especially when I'm running on my treadmill. It makes the time go by faster.

Besides the jewelry party that I'm hosting today, the dogs will get a surprise. They will be going on their own doggy vacation. This afternoon, my husband and I will be dropping them off at a kennel. The kennel has air conditioning and a huge fenced in area. Unlike our backyard, Blitzkrieg and Kelly will actually be able to run around.

Tuesday my husband and I planned to go to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. But we might put off that trip. It is supposed to rain and there is a chance of thunderstorms. That wouldn't be good to drive almost two hours to see the rides closed. We will have to check weather.com later today and tonight.

The 2007 Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant photos are loaded onto my instaproofs website. To view or purchase please go to http://www.dcophotography.instaproofs.com/. Over on my photo blog, DCO's Photo Gallery, is the 2007 Miss River Raisin Festival, Melissa Brown. Tomorrow will be the First Runner-Up Amanda McKinney.

Miss River Raisin Festival

Tonight is the start of the River Raisin Festival in Blissfield, Michigan. For the past few years, I have always photographed the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant for the newspaper. But not tonight. As I'm sure you already know, I'm on vacation. I will still be in attendance and with my camera.

I have already told my husband that we must leave early to get to the festival. I have to be there early to get a spot on the grass right next to the stage. The pageant is held on a stage and there are no seats. Everyone has to sit on the grass or bring their own chairs. Its not just me, other people find a place to sit an hour before the start.

Monday I will be posting photos of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant over on my photo blog, DCO's Photo Gallery. The order of the photos will be the 2007 Miss River Raisin winner, First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, Third Runner-Up and the rest of the contestants in alphabetical order according to their last names. To let everyone know I don't post on weekends. If you don't see a certain contestants photo, don't worry it will be posted only between Monday and Friday.

I will be posting all of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant photos my instaproofs site for viewing and purchase. This gallery will be available shortly after the pageant. The address is http://www.dcophotography.instaproofs.com/.

PHOTO CAPTION: Miss River Raisin 2005 Erin Chlebowski, left, and Miss Michigan 2006 Angela Corsi officially crown Miss River Raisin 2006 Elisabeth Dorman last July at the River Raisin Festival in Blissfield, Michigan.

I love it when a plan comes together

At 11:30 am this morning, I turned in my time card and left the building. I'm officially on vacation! I'm just so happy that this day has finally arrived. Eleven months between vacations is too long.

Party food

Next Monday I'm hosting a jewelry party. My sister who is a teacher is selling jewelry to make money during the summer. I thought it would be fun to host while I'm on vacation. Then my sister told me I had to supply the food.

Supply the food?

My first thought was to go to the grocery store and buy a bunch of appetizers to make in the oven, microwave and deep fryer. My husband and I had to go to the store to pick up a few items, so while we were there we walked through the frozen food aisle. I had a bunch of frozen treats picked out like mozzarella sticks, mini tacos and pizza rolls. My husband said maybe I shouldn't get foods that could all go in the deep fryer. I agreed that I should have some variety.

Now my party menu will include a Subway 3-foot party sub, nacho dip and fried mac and cheese. As for the sub, I have to give them 24 hours notice for them to make it. As for the nacho dip and deep fried mac and cheese, I will be making those. For dessert, I will be making cookies or brownies. I got the nacho dip receipe from a co-worker. She brings to work often. It is very good. The other recipe is from Paula Deen. The recipes are below.

Nacho dip

1 cream cheese brick
1 bag of shredded cheese
1 can of Hormel Turkey chili without beans

Place cream cheese brick in bottom of a crock pot and mix it up. Add the can of turkey chili then the bag of shredded cheese. Turn the heat on high for one hour. Mix before serving.


Deep Fried Mac and Cheese
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Peanut oil, for frying
1 recipe "The Lady's Cheesy Mac" prepared, chilled in the refrigerator overnight, and cut into 15 bite-sized squares, recipe follows
Flour, for dredging
1 egg, beaten Plain bread crumbs, for dredging


Heat 2 inches of oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.

Dredge each Cheesy Mac square in flour, then egg, and then bread crumbs to coat. Fry for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.


"The Lady's Cheesy Mac":

4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
2 cups grated Cheddar
3 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot, add the Cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese, if desired.

Random things

After completing housework Sunday morning, I decided to go running. I'm so glad that I didn't wait until later in the afternoon to run. By the time I got outside at 9:30 am, it was already 76 degrees and rising. After my 4.1 mile run, my dri-fit shirt was drenched in sweat and my arms and legs glistened from sweat. Around the time that I usually run on a Sunday afternoon, the temperature in town was 96 degrees.

My husband informed me this morning that he has the next two weeks off. Two weeks! That upset me because I still have to go to work until Thursday! Its just not fair that my husband gets more days off them me. I swear he never works.

I put the check in the mail today for the Hudson Booster 5K Cross Country Open. This time I can't oversleep.

Miles run in 2007

I know I'm behind last year's mileage at this point and would like to catch up. Earlier this week, I decided to try to follow a training program. Its really not a big deal, but I wanted some structure in my running. On days when I run, I decide in advance how far I want to go that day. Now I have this program that tells me I should run X amount today. I have been following it all week and I like it. Today is supposed to be a scheduled day off, but I want to run. Who knows I may want to run tomorrow morning as well.

Miles run through July 5:
2004: 164.7
2005: 210.2
2006: 264.6
2007: 254.2

Books read in 2007

A Man of Faith, David Aikman
Hannibal Rising, Thomas Harris
All of the President's Men, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III
Jack: A Life Like No Other, Geoffrey Perret
Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, Bob Woodward
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, James L. Swanson
The Manchurian Candidate, Richard Condon
Leni Riefenstahl, Rainer Rother
From Here to Eternity, James Jones
Cultural Warrior, Bill O'Reilly
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Lee Server
The Man Who Would Not Shut Up, Marvin Kitman
Clint Eastwood, Richard Schickel
Notorious, Donald Spoto
Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Leaming
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes, Donald L. Barlett
Diana, Andrew Morton
Mrs. Kennedy: The Missing History of the Kennedy Years, Barbara Leaming

Currently Reading: Judy Garland: The Secret Life of an American Legend, David Shipman
Up Next: Shadows of a Princess, P.D. Jephson

December 18, 1999

Krista asked the married ladies to tell their engagement stories. Here is mine.

I thought it was a normal Saturday. It was like every other Saturday in my life. My boyfriend and I had our three year anniversary on December 15. We decided to celebrate on that Saturday because our anniversary date fell on a Wednesday and I was studying for final exams in college.

A letter was given to me by my boyfriend. I opened the letter and it was the start to a scavenger hunt. The first place I had to go was a park in town. The clue I was looking for was taped to a light pole and had a cassette tape inside with the letter. The letter said that the tape was songs that we both enjoyed and to listen to it while driving. I couldn't listen to the tape because my car didn't have a cassette player. So old school! The next clue lead me to a Mexican restaurant that my friend worked at. I had to walk in the door and say that I loved my boyfriend to get the next clue. After I said the phrase my friend gave me the next clue.

I drove over to the next location, which was a out of business go-kart track. I got stuck there. I couldn't find the letter. After five to ten minutes looking for it, I called my sister on my cell phone. I told her that I couldn't find the letter. She told me to keep looking for it. I hung up with her and continued the search. I still couldn't find it. I called her back and said that I would keep looking, but if I couldn't find it where was the next spot on the scavenger hunt? She told me that the next stop was the mall. I hung up again and looked all around for it. I finally found the letter. It was in a white box hidden in the white snow. My boyfriend made it hard to find.

I read the letter and drove over to the mall. The letter told me to go sit on Santa's lap. I walked to center of the mall to see Santa. While waiting my turn, I noticed my family and my boyfriend's family all nearby. My sister came and stood next to me at the bottom of the stairs leading to Santa. When I was standing there, I noticed a photographer that I worked with at the newspaper standing near Santa. Finally I knew something was up. It takes that to realize that something was up. After I figured out I was on the exit steps to Santa, I went to the other staircase and walked up to see Santa.

I sat on Santa's lap and he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him that I wanted a bunch of new camera equipment, like a couple of new lenses and camera bodies. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and there was my boyfriend wearing a suit and holding a dozen white roses. He sat down on Santa's knee, handed me the roses and he told me to look at the camera. The elf helper took our picture sitting on Santa's lap. When this happened I thought to myself, "I went on this scavenger hunt all over town just for roses!" I wasn't too thrilled about that. You can see it all over my face in the above picture.

After the picture was taken. My boyfriend stood up and reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a box, then opened it. It was a diamond engagement ring. I later found out that he had it designed just for me. I remember he said something to the effect of wanting to spend the rest of his life with me. I only thing I actually remember him saying was, "Deloris, will you marry me?"

We got married on September 15, 2001.

Wine tasting

After dinner Friday, I asked my husband if we could go to the liquor store in town to buy: Wine. My husband and I are not wine drinkers and I thought we could try something different. At the liquor store, we found the refrigerator that held the tiny bottles of wine. We picked one brand and bought four different flavors. The four flavors that were picked were Merlot, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Before we left, I walked in the non-refrigerated wine aisle and looked at the bottles. I mentioned to my husband that I saw a commercial of one on television and the wine looked good. I found the brand I was referring to and picked up a bottle of White Zinfandel. I asked my husband what if we didn't like it? He said it wasn't that expensive so it was OK.

When we got home, my husband got out small glasses. He picked White Zinfandel. He poured the same amount in both glasses and then we drank it. The first taste was OK, then there was a horrible aftertaste. I wasn't fond of this drink. Our dogs, Blitzkrieg and Kelly, really wanted to try some. I couldn't choke down any more, so I dumped some in Kelly's dish. She licked it up and wagged her tail the entire time. My husband and I agreed that the wine had a bad aftertaste. We know we won't get that again.

Sunday evening I was taking out my contacts and getting ready for bed. My husband asked if I had brushed my teeth yet. I said no. I wondered why he asked and I walked into the living room and saw him with two glasses and the small bottle of Merlot. He poured equal amounts into the glasses and we started to drink. I thought there really wasn't any flavor to it. But the good thing was the Merlot didn't have the aftertaste that the White Zinfandel had. But I still wouldn't go out and buy a bottle. I finished my wine and walked to the kitchen to wash my glass. My husband got out the big bottle of White Zinfandel from the refrigerator and opened it. He poured some in both of our glasses. I took a drink and loved it. This Zinfandel tasted good and didn't have an aftertaste. After I downed my glass, I said to my husband "Now I could drink a bottle of this."

We still have the Chardonnay and the Pinot Grigio yet to go. If I don't like those I can just finish the rest of the White Zinfandel bottle and then go to the store and get more. I'm hooked on it.