Thursday, July 31, 2014

Sunday, July 27, 2014

When Your Bling Needs a New Home #FitFluential #GirlsGoneSporty #SweatPink

My Old Holder
All of my running bling has been kept on a cheap but very useful cafe rod I purchased for $3 (approximately) while at Wal-mart. I highly recommend this for those just starting out their running (and bling collecting) journey. It is a quick and inexpensive alternative to a lot of what you may see online. Let's face it though, it isn't very eye catching. Like me, you'll probably want something nice in due time.

I also ended up with two rods after doing a lot of races and the weight of some of the medals caused the rods to bow a bit. I decided I it was time for that upgrade. I have always liked the ready-made running bling holders I have seen online but never was able to settle on one I loved enough to order. So, I did what any self-respecting crafter would do, I scoured Pinterest, Etsy and Google for ideas.

It was through that search that I found images of shelves and holders using towel rods. It made me start to think what I could do with that same idea. I wanted to take that same concept but add a back drop that I can move around. Many of the other versions had the towel rod mounted directly to the wall. I wanted a bit more flexibility.

Prior to this project I had completed a Pinterest inspired coffee table craft out of wooden boxes at Michael's Craft Store and wood stain,  which came out spectacularly better than I had hoped.

Coffee Table Project
I had plenty of stain left from that project so I decided to just run to Lowe's and see what I could find in the lumber aisle. I found a nice piece of lumber at Lowe's for about $5. Not a bad deal. I took some time after work one evening, stained it and let it dry.

I already had the towel rod and hangers which did cost a bit more, approximately $30 for the rod and honestly I forget how much the rings were. The binder clips (seen below, far left) were bought later on at Target for $2 and the knob holding my ribbons and Castle's bling (far right) was on clearance for $2.49. I bought things as I went, not all at once.

I still have to burn the hummingbirds into each of the top corners but I am really pleased with how it came out. I may make a second one but with a shelf on top.

What do you think?

 The (Nearly) Finished Bling Holder


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Saturday, July 26, 2014

What is Your Most Embarrassing Moment? Here is One of Mine.

Yesterday, after an awesome yoga class which was by far the most intense I had yet, the hubby and I spent some quality time together. We went for breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Babystacks, and then headed to Town Square so I could pick up some makeup at Sephora. I drank a lot of water that morning so needless to say, nature had called upon me. Close to Sephora there are restrooms so I handed hubby my small Sephora bag and darted off. I went in to the bathroom and couldn't help but notice that there was a bit of an odor and thought to myself "Wow, it smells pretty bad in here. They should do something about that!" Seriously, it was pretty gnarly. 

Determined to get back to hubby in a flash, and far away from that odor, I gathered myself up when I was done and headed over to the sinks to wash my hands. 

That was when I knew things had gone terribly wrong. 

As I went over to the sinks I walked past the same urinals (yes, you read that correctly) that I had walked by when I first walked in but had tragically failed to notice. Mentally, I was thinking "Oh shit. Oh dammit, Karen. Please don't let a dude walk in right now. Please, oh please." 

I hurried over to the sink and quickly washed my hands, praying that no one would walk in as I walked out. Perhaps I can escape this with no one the wiser. 

Not bloody likely. 

I did get my wish. No dudes had entered while I was hurriedly getting myself out of there. However, I was far from being safe. I still had to make an exit. I grabbed the door handle, tossed the paper towel in the garbage can without looking to see if it made it to its proper destination, and ran out the door. It was then that I noticed that a woman was headed right towards me and towards the door that I should have chosen. Damnit! 

She looks at me, and then looks at the direction I came from, and then back to me with the most confused look on her face. I couldn't help but laugh as I shrugged my shoulders, smiled, and ran over to where to hubby was standing. I laughed very, very hard at that point as I explained to Ben what I had done. He had no idea I had made that error but I had to tell him what had happened. It was too damn funny not to. 

As embarrassing (though very funny) as it was at least there was no gentlemen in that bathroom during this entire incident. I might have been stuck in there for awhile because there is no way I would have left while they were in there, doing their thing. Hell-to-the-no.

Only me. 

What was your most embarrassing moment of late?


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Friday, July 25, 2014

Day 85 (yesterday) hanging, and working, with the awesome @dmbfiredancer1991 #loveher #bestie #100HappyDays



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Day 84 (Wednesday) Ice cream goodness with my work besties.



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A Dreamy Shake #FitFluential #GirlsGoneSporty #SweatPink

I have always loved the Orange Julius drinks, and the Jamba Juice Orange Dreamiscle shake. If you love the flavor or oranges married with peaches then you know exactly how yummy these are. When I saw the pre-made packs at Vons a few months ago I grabbed them in a heart beat. At $4-5 per bag though, plus the cost of the OJ needed for blending it can quickly add up.

At my last trip to the store I decided to investigate what was in those bags. Why I hadn't done that before is beyond me but I saw that it was just frozen peaches, yogurt, and then you add the OJ.

For real?

I went to the frozen fruit section and grabbed a cheap bag of peaches and frozen yogurt, knowing I had OJ at home. Today after my yoga class I threw the ingredients and an ice cube or two for added thickness along with some protein powder. In a word....delicious.

I am sure you can make it cheaper and healthier by freezing Greek yogurt in an ice cube tray and slicing and freezing the peaches too.

I hope you have a chance to try this one out and if you do let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
K

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Love



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20 Things I'm Grateful For At 40

In random order..

Note: This was originally written before we learned that my brother Christopher had cancer. This post sat in my drafts until today. 

1. My mom....there's nothing about me that didn't in some way begin or end with something I learned from her. Too many things to name here. I miss her. Hug your moms readers. 
2. My siblings. For letting me live the most unique childhood. Playing Army with Chris, stealing clothes from my sister (much to her dismay), looking up to Dave who is so wicked smart, and from Jim I learned that growing up is sometimes harder then it should be. Just to name a few....they are such amazing people in their own ways. [Chris had since passed away from when this was first written. It still feels weird to have lost our middle sibling. I am still in disbelief.]
3. My 20s. I drank my fair share, danced, loved the wrong guys & made friends with crucial people.  People who have shaped who I am.
4. My first cat Kiraly taught me how unconditional love really works.
5. My Dad. This one is tough to explain but I guess him not being an active part of my childhood taught me that sometimes people let you down. That's not on me though.  I was a kid.  Whatever choices he made were his and he had to live with that. 
6. My first real boyfriend, not naming names, who taught me to not be such an idiot. Seriously, I was a moron then. 
7. The three guys I fell head over heals for in college. Two were my best friends  at that time and each taught me that I was stronger then I gave my self credit for. I was special. I mattered. One turned out to be a selfish jerk and that taught me to avoid that kind of guy at all costs.
8. I'm tempted to name one male friend here but I won't. I will say that I miss him. I wish I understood him better but after 15 years he should have tried to know me better too. It saddened me to know that he never really trusted me. I think I went through enough hell to earn that trust. He broke my heart more times than I could count. Despite that I am never going to look back and regret a moment. Never. I may have guilt on how I handled some things along the way but having him as a friend really mattered to me. I looked up to him. Not because he was perfect, but because he was strong, independent, determined. He made me laugh. It is because of him I met some of my best friends. There is no way I could have any regrets.
9. My Uncle Dave.  My Aunt Rose. Each has helped my mom and my sister and I at every landmark moment in life, including my wedding.
10. My dear cousin Ray....your smile was just epic.  I miss it. You were far too young but the world gained a clever angel in you.  
11. To the two people I hated more then life itself at one time in my life. I hope one day Karma gets her fill of you. I will take comfort in that knowledge. My hatred of you was far too much effort and so not worth my time. I am a bigger person for being able to walk away and I'm thankful for being able to get through that experience. I am a much better person as a result. Not sure if you could claim the same.
12. My ex fiancé.  EVERYTHING happens for a reason. If there was a major turning point in my personal journey that experience was it. Much happiness came as a result of something that once made me sad.
13. My college friends. Seriously how can I make this list without thanking you ladies? We have so many great stories. The boom box story, endless nights at Senunas' and Gonda's. Those years were amazing but mostly because you were a part of it. Hopefully more years and stories are to come.
14. My husband Ben. I know I talk about him a lot in my blog; how funny he is, how annoying he is, and how is by far the best thing that's ever happened to me.
15. My dog Castle and my cat Angel. My fur kids are the best. So much love because of them and for them.
16. The friends I've made since I've moved out to Las Vegas in 2007. It is amazingly difficult as an adult to find friendships that last. I have been blessed to have made such friendships here. Thank you!
17. Running. It challenges me, it comforts me.
18. My amazing Zehner family. You have accepted me with open arms. I love you.
19. To my biological and adopted nieces and nephews - I so wish I could be there as some of you that live far away grow up in to the amazing people you are becoming. I may be far from you but my love for you is always present.
20. Some key teachers in High School. I learned more from you then from what was in our books. As an adult I still talk with some of you. That is such an honor. Your impact on my life continues. 
 
This is not a complere list but just a few things that came to mind.  There is so much more....

I know bud, mommy going to work sucks, but we'll have chill time this weekend. Promise. #dogsofinstagram



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Monday, July 21, 2014

Saturday, July 19, 2014

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

DAY 77 A lil Cherry Garcia is good for you. #100HappyDays #dontjudge



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Big Data - "Dangerous (feat. Joywave)" [Official Music Video]

"Because they know what I have been hiding...."



Determined. Focused. I'm So Gonna Hit My Goal. #watchme #wookieeswarriors

Hey there!

I know, it's a cheesy selfie but it has been awhile and I decided that I was overdue. Used my webcam this time and for a post-run picture it's decent. 

Aside from that there is a bit of news, I am currently working on a virtual race for my Wookiee's Warriors fundraisers and I am pretty pumped about. This will be my first endeavor into the RD world so please bear with me as I navigate these unfamiliar waters. I have decided to work with Crown Awards on the medals and should have a mock up of the medal by the end of the week. I cannot wait to see what they come up with! 

I could bore you with the every ongoing drivel that is my work life, but I won't. (insert applause) Instead here is a brief list of things that I am working on, besides the run mentioned earlier:

  • Ireland - heading to the Emerald Isle in just over a month. Yeah be prepared to be tortured via Instagram (Hey, You Can Follow Me!)
  • Working on going back to school for a second Masters Degree, possibly teaching or Higher Ed Admin. 
  • My bestie Sue asked me to be the God Mother to her baby boy! Very excited about that. We have nicknamed him "Baby Zeus". No pressure kiddo!
  • The 501st Legion posted the Wookiee's Warriors video on their Facebook page (has over 230K followers). Many thanks for that help from the dark side. Want to check out their page? Here is a direct link https://www.facebook.com/The501stLegion Give them a "like" and tell them Karen of Run with K sent you! 
Official training starts soon, so be on the lookout for more on that progress. Tonight was a warm up. I took the pup with me this evening and it was pretty muggy. In fact, he is so pooped out that he is still napping where he plopped when we got home. I think we both need to get used to the heat and the routine of running once again. 

Well, now it is time to relax, read a book, and have a nice adult beverage to wind down. 

-K




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Saturday, July 12, 2014

New...From Run With K

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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

New...From Run With K

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via IFTTT Morning! The day's High in Vegas is 39C (103F) with a Low of 28C (82F). #runwithk

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

New...From Run With K

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via IFTTT Morning! The day's High in Vegas is 41C (105F) with a Low of 29C (84F). #runwithk

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Friday, July 4, 2014

New...From Run With K

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Thursday, July 3, 2014

New...From Run With K

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via IFTTT Morning! The day's High in Vegas is 42C (108F) with a Low of 29C (84F). #runwithk