Photo Session

I'm not a professional by any means, but I took some photos of my friend's baby a few weeks ago. They live out in the country, and I mean COUNTRY. But this made for a really pretty backdrop. It was overcast that day, but we still managed to get some great shots. Here are just a few.

Baby Uggs!

And you had to know this was coming right?? I just couldn't help myself.

This city girl needs a country boy! :)

Track your blog visitors!

Some of you asked me about how to track your blog statistics on my post about what brings people to my blog.

Go http://www.statcounter.com/ and enter in your blog name. It will walk you through it. And then log in as often as you like to check your stats. It's pretty comical at times! But also fun to see how much/little traffic you get from day to day. It tells you which posts were most popular (aka the most hits) It even breaks up your blog hits into first time visitors, repeat visitors, etc.

Post coming later today about some things I've learned from running. I had a lot of advice from runner blog friends (like Danica, can't thank her enough, that girl was a huge help. She rocks.) but a lot of things I learned a long the way were on my own and I want to share! Some funny, some not so funny, but all my jumbled, crazy thoughts about this entire experience.

Trip to TN

I spent a lot of my childhood in the East TN mountains, as my entire family is from there. My dad got transferred to SC right before I was born. Growing up we would go many times a year to visit my grandparents in Johnson City. I still relish traveling through that area any chance I get! This past weekend my brother and I (along with several other thousand loyal Gamecock fans) took the trip to Knoxville. We had to take a detour to get there, as there was a huge rockslide on one section of I-40. We didn't mind...look at the view we had (despite the cloudy, rainy day).

Here I am about to chow down on some delicious pizza at the Tomato Head in downtown Knoxville! You can't see it in this photo, but I did have my garnet hoops and necklace on - not to mention my garnet scarf! However, it all got covered later by my lGamecock poncho :(




















View from our seats:

Although my Gamecocks suffered a really terrible loss by UT, it's hard for me to hate the Vols. My dad, an alum, has had these seats since the late 1960's. There are still even a few folks around us that always ask us "How's your mom and dad??" Everyone is so nice. Beside us to our right, there has always been an older couple that has gone to every home game since even before my dad started going. He remembers my dad taking my mom to football games when they first started dating. How neat is that? He wasn't there this time and the gentleman 2 rows behind us told us he passed away 2 weeks ago. So sad :( But the amazing thing is this loyal fan was a marathon runner! Even in his 90's! Incredible. Such history in that section. My dad used to go to every home game, but the past year or so he hasn't gone and they've sold most of them. He's hoping to go to one this year, but time is running out. My dad's love for the Vols is pretty strong! It makes me sad to think about giving up those seats. As much as I love my Gameocks, gotta give it to the Vols fans. They are pretty nice people...

(just don't get me started on their new Coach...even my dad can't stand him!)

Date Recap

I'm really sorry that this date recap is going to be a little bland and short, but I'm SO tired and have a long day ahead of me tomorrow - we are headed to the USC vs. Tennessee game in Knoxville. Go Cocks!

Sooo...tonight was a blind double date - one of my best friend's husband's step brother. I know, that's a lot to take in...haha. I'll give you a sec to process...

Anyway, we met at the restaurant around 7:30 PM (Bonefish Grill yum), introductions were made and all of us had a few drinks before dinner. He was nice, immediately offered to get my drinks and pretty easy to talk to. He was a funny guy, but perhaps a little too funny. He drank a good bit before we got there, and I'm pretty sure he was hammered. My friend said she thinks he was nervous. Also, during dinner he got up 3 times to go smoke a cigarette outside. Now that's what I call addicted.

I can't lie, I didn't really feel any chemistry. I hate saying that after only one date, but you know how you just know these things?! With my first date with my ex, I wasn't sure I liked him (and vice versa) but I FELT something...I was intrigued. Didn't feel that at all tonight. And that's ok. Some dates are just like that.

He did ask for my number, and put it in his cell phone. He even spelled my name right which is more than my ex can say (misspelled my name on my birthday card, after dating for 7 months. Fail). So we'll see!

Have one maybe 2 more potential dates coming up. One is E harm guy. He is most def. not in a hurry. The other is another E harm guy from a while back. We've never gone out, but we facebook friended each other. Remember the Clemson Tiger I talked about? We might go out next weekend. I am completely intrigued by his personality...he seems so fun! He lives an hour away though.

I remembered to snap a photo before I left. Some of ya'll have seen this outfit before! I know...I look like I'm going to a funeral! I did grab a red scarf before heading out the door. And I just felt like sportin' the boots tonight. I really want to find some wine colored boots!

I don't know why this one was blurry...




































And last but not least, M and I are running a race on Thanksgiving Day. It's an 8K. Not sure if I'll be able to run the entire thing but I'm going to give it my best shot! My motivation for finishing as quickly as possible will be turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and... yoga pants. :)

What's bringing ya'll here...

I saw where a few bloggers had looked up their keyword analysis recently. Here are a few examples of what are bringing people to my blog:

"lesesne house" charleston (this is the house I lived in in Charleston at CofC)

race day running outfit

are you ready to break up 30something (awesome - I am the poster child for heartache lately)

carolinagirl blog

sexy grils 30 jr (umm, ok? Thanks google? I think? Unless they are looking for sexy GRILLS)

life at 30 and dating

allover 30 karolina (spelling issue much?)

ramblings carolina girl

"dating someone 7 years younger" (hahaha yep, been there, done that)

rambles of a 30 something

hairy Carolina (???gross??? haha I think this is from when we found the hair in the BBQ sandwich)

30 something blog

What are some searches that have brought someone to ya'lls blogs lately?

It Is Well

It's a Monday, therefore I need to remember...It is Well!

I found my Ipod, and we reunited and it felt so good. Ok, not really. It hurt like heck. And I walked a lot this time. But I got back out there, and got the rust out of my legs. Back in the saddle! This week I plan to focus on working my way back up to running 3 miles and strength training.

And speaking of It Is Well - have you heard this version by the group Sisters? They are from Greer, SC. (You can tell by her accent) Their harmony is amazing.



Hope it is well with all of you today!

Sunday: Time to Confess

I'm ashamed to confess this but...

I haven't run since my race.

At. All. (except for about 10 minutes yesterday with friend's dog. In the rain.)

I don't even know where my Shuffle is??!

My running shoes are collecting dust.

I have eaten everything that isn't nailed down in my house.

I have drank way too much.

I have NOT gotten on the scale to see the damage done.

HOWEVER...Starting today (not tomorrow, I hate saying "I'll start Monday), it's back on.

Just as soon as I find my shuffle...have ya'll seen it? It's little and cute and green. And probably feeling a little lonely.

On a completely unrelated note, my Gamecocks beat Vandy (barely). Go Cocks! =)

(We tailgate at the National Guard parking lot, and this was my "ready for battle" picture! haha Dork.)

Now please, offer me some pearls of wisdom on getting back my motivation. Or just yell at me. Either one will do!