Decorating the Tree - new ornaments for 2013

I added a few new ornaments this year, although after hanging them all last week, I feel like I'm missing a few new ones. I don't know which ones they are but I'm sure come January I'm going to come across an ornament that I 'put up so it doesn't get lost'.

I don't buy any souvenirs other than Christmas ornaments and postcards when I travel somewhere. If they don't have those, then I'll just treasure my photos or buy an ornament later to represent the occasion. Sometimes it's thrilling to go on the hunt for the perfect ornament (like at Disney, where I had an entire store to choose from!!) and other times it's exhausting (like in Nassau, when not ONE shop sold ornaments). 

While all of the ornaments have special memories, there are a few that have extra special meaning because it was doing something new and exciting for the first time.

 

Probably my biggest personal accomplishment for 2013 was completing my first half-marathon. I went to Florida and ran with Erica in the Disney Princess Half. This ornament didn't come from Disney (I actually just got it this week in Columbus), but it still shows that we did it. I also elected not to have my time put on there, because it wasn't a competitive race. Maybe I'll write it on the back for my own record? I have another ornament (not pictured yet) that will have a pic of me and Erica in our race medals.

In March, I took a group of students to Arkansas for the National ACT Conference. While there we visited the original Walmart. I really wanted a Razorback ornament from campus, but couldn't find one anywhere!. :(

 

I also got my passport this year and made my first visit outside of the United States, so when I saw this ornament at Target I had to get it. Now that I'm legally allowed to travel outside of the USA, I can't wait to visit more foreign countries.

 

In November, I went to Chicago with a group of students. Since I have almost any ornament sold in Chicago (this was visit #15 for me), I picked out this one during our stop at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana. We saw baby calfs being born while there. #presh

 

I can't remember if I posted about this one last year or not, so I'll share again. This ornament came from Dublin, Ireland. Two students, Darcy and Lauren, got it for me while they were there on a study abroad trip last December and I watched their kitten. It made it on my tree just days before Christmas. It was my first international ornament.

 

My second international ornament came from the Bahamas this summer when I went on my cruise. Do you know not one souvenir shop in Nassau sells ornaments? When I retire I'm going to move there and set up an ornament shop. I literally bought this one as we were walking through the customs screening to get back on the boat.

 

The gift shop on our cruise ship had an ornament that was a replica of our boat, but of course, I forgot to go buy it. So I just got this one at a local store here in Columbus and had them personalize it for me. I might add our names to the front of the ship or leave it as is. Thoughts? 

Last year after I did my 2012 ornament post, I traveled to the University of *ichigan for basketball game vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. I got a UM ornament (gasssssp!!), but it hangs at the very back of my tree where no one can see it! I do have a picture of the ornament on my tree, but I don't usually post disturbing pictures on my blog. You might lose your lunch if I share it. ;)

Other cool things I did this year that I forgot to get an ornament - rode my first roller-coaster at Cedar Point and went to Louisville. So I might need to hit up an after Christmas clearance aisle to see if they have any ornaments that represent those to things. But at the same time, it means so much more if it's actually bought at the time instead of months later. I looked at Cedar Point, and they didn't sell them. And I didn't really do anything ornament worthy in Louisville (no Churchill downs, etc). Although I did see Deirks Bentley...wonder if there is a glass ornament of him? hehe.

So there you have it, additions to my tree for 2013. Looking forward to collecting new ornaments for the tree next year. See the ornaments I added in 2012.

Ohio State Finish on the Fifty

Sunday morning I ran in Ohio State's 4 Miler/Finish on the 50. Erin was running, so I joined in the fun. I have NOT been running faithfully lately. Like hardly at all. So I was somewhat worried about not doing well, but that wasn't the case at all. For not running more than a total of four miles in the past two months, I think I did a-ok. My final time was around 43minutes I believe, which was a 10:40ish per mile average, which I'm fine with. I stopped and walked for a few seconds while I drank my water at the two mile mark (yes, they only had ONE water station!). Of course, now that it's over I wish I hadn't walked during that break, then I might have been closer to 40minues. Why I don't know my official time is a story in itself.

I loved running through the stadium. We got to go down the ramp where the football team runs out and then down the field to the 50 yard line where we finished. I tried to tape this whole run into the stadium, but to save you from being nauseous, I'll just tell you it didn't work out. I need to get one of those "go pro" cameras that are made for active sports like running. But it was still very cool. There weren't 110,000 people cheering for me as I ran, just a few in the South Stands, but I still felt like an OSU football player. I also wish they would have let me stay on the field and get my picture taken instead of herding us outside.

Before the race!

And after the race!

With Peggy and Erin

The awesome medal we got. Thanks Lindsay! :)

After the race, we celebrated at Buffalo Wild Wings with wings and cheesy fries and I spent the rest of the day on the couch under blankets trying to warm up!

This was the weekend we originally planned to go to Savannah and run in the 1/2 Marathon there, but I had to work on Friday night, so it didn't work out for this weekend. I'm looking at the Nike Women's Half in DC at the end of April. Any takers?

The past month or so

I've become the blogger that post once a month, then eventually I'll never post again. Usually when I see bloggers start to go on a hiatis that had been regular, daily posters I suspect that something is up (new boy, they're pregnant, etc). In my case, nothing is up other than the fact I'm just super busy and don't have the downtime to just sit and blog like I used to. This job is busy, busy, busy and I'm never with time to just surf online. And my evenings are full of work related social stuff or my own social life. So the blog has fallen to last priority. Which is fine, but I know I'll also miss the detailed record of my life that I once kept and now am not.

So we'll start with the beginning of the school year, since that's kind of like the beginning of the year for people in education.

The beginning of the year started with a back to school bash for our students. I sat in the dunk tank for 30 minutes. No one wanted to dunk me. My feelings were hurt. Eventually Molly told the fraternity boys (I'm their adviser) and they came over and dunked me a few times.

I was not a popular target. And this thing bruised my back!

 Football season started back up, which is basically my favorite time of year. I went to my first Skull Session with Molly, John and Cara. I completely forgot that the team walked through, so I was crazy excited when they came in. Then I was not excited when Urban Meyer messed up the words to the fight song. It's "Our honor defend, we will fight THROUGH the end....O, HI, O!!!!" I do not like that man.

We watched the first half of this game at BW3's, then made our way to the VC.

Smiling like Molly did when she was little.

Mom, Mam, Molly and I went to the Country Living Fair in September. There weren't so many crafty things there as there were vintage finds, which I liked! But it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Mt. Tabor is close to Mam and Papaw's house.

I actually bought this pennet for $5. It's hanging in my dining room.

If I could only find old Christmas bulbs like that.

In September I also made my first trip to Pittsburg. I had to set things up for a conference, so I drove over there, did the set up, and then drove home. It was exhausting. But while I was there, I drove by Heinz Field to get a look at where the Steelers play. I'm not a huge Steelers fan, but I do like to see stadiums and the Steelers are a pretty well known team. What I didn't realize was that they Steelers played at the Bengals that night. And here I was posting pictures on instagram and videos on Vine of me at that stadium. Sorry Bengals loving friends and family.

The field from the road. Yeah, I was driving and taking pictures.

Field in the background.

No lie, as I was driving out of Pittsburg "Black & Yellow" came on! I died!!!

Also that week was a farm show our school hosts, which I worked at each day. I love working at it because you get to see so many friends from college throughout the three days. I also get to educate students about the majors we offer, but I really enjoy the social part of it too. ;)

Representing the home county.

Miss Hadley was almost a month old when I first got to go see her. And that was more than a month ago, so I think I need to go visit again. She cried when I held her, except when we quickly snapped this picture, and I think she's even smiling for it.

Such a beautiful babe.

Because it rained so much one weekend, Mom and I didn't make it to the Backwoods Festival like we planned, so we just went to the Lancaster Mall. I hadn't been there since high school. Speaking of which, this year was my 10 year class reunion, and I guess that makes the Class of 2003 eligible to be a 'throwback' on a letter jacket in the store DEB. I almost bought it. It was only $20 and red and white, so I figured I could have worn it to tailgate and such. But, I was in the middle of No Spend September, so I did not make the purchase. 

Class of '03! Represent!

My friend Lindsey is the new event planner for a venue close to Columbus, so a group of us girls went to their open house. It was awesome. Such a beautiful location, so if you're looking for a venue for a wedding, large corporate party or just a party with a lot of friends, I know where you can find one!

Curled with my straightener.

Inside.

Love these girls.

group shot by a tree.

Another friend of mine made the big move to NYC in early October. At her going away party I got to visit with a few friends from the old job office. And it was fun to go out in the Short North area, which I don't do often. Sad thing is, I was home watching Dateline by 9:30pm! Why does that show have to be so addicting?? :)

I'm so happy that Britt made the move to NYC! I know she'll just love it there. I want to go visit at some point since the one time I went Molly and I were there for less than 24 hours! Spring Break maybe?

Me, Britt, RJ

Game days are always fun. This year I have no tickets, so tailgating is my game. After a work alumni tailgate, I hopped around friend's tailgates on campus, then met up with Lindsay at TinyGate and later the VC.

Friends for 10 years.

TinyGate at Little Bar. #iphonestakebadpicturesafterdark

I became an aunt again in early October! My oldest sister delivered a healthy baby boy, my first nephew! We are so excited to add Cooper to the family!

Me and Cooper!

 And we can't forget Bowie, who gets jealous when anyone else is around or I'm gone too much. #divacat

She really does love me. I swear.

Homecoming at Ohio State was later this year, which also meant it was colder. The department float I helped with didn't place this year, but the fraternity I advise got 1st place AND was shown during the game that night on ABC! I'm seriously so lucky to have the job that I do. It's so much fun. :)

#beattheteeth

Just hanging out in the stadium.

Fraternity float.

 Since I didn't have tickets to the Homecoming Game, we went to visit Cooper and watch. Holly was in town too, so it was kind of a mini family reunion.

OSU game with Coop. I couldn't cheer.

And the Primer Family tradition, we went to the Fall Festival of the Leaves Parade. Mom, Amy, Mam and I went. Aunt Katherine and her family were already there, so we got to visit with them. We usued to go to this parade every year when we were little. We always sit in the exact same spot.

My alma matter got the cousins up and dancing.

Fall Festival of the Leaves!!!

Most recently, I traveled to Louisville for work. There is a large convention there that we go to each year. While I was there, I got to go see Dierks Bentley. OMG I love that man! My college roommate and good friend works for the said convention and had AMAZING seats. I'm pretty sure Dierks looked and pointed right at me.

Miss this girl.

Soooo close!

What was I thinking? I was thinking he's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen.

Other highlights of the convention included a shopping mall that had tons of boots. I didn't buy any, but 15 year old 4-H lovin' Emily wanted these clover ones. There was also a dance for Ohio students. I love these dances. Mostly because I dance my heart out and don't even care who sees me because there's 800 high school kids there. And I'm making up for lost time while I sat at a table during every high school and 4H camp dance I ever attended.

Photo for Julie in Arkansas. And for myself! #wps

Buckeye Bash....after the wobble.

As soon as I got back from Kentucky, it was time to celebrate my godson's first birthday. How an entire year has gone by I'll never know. I love that boy. He's the happiest baby I've ever seen. Except when you try to vacuum his belly....MOLLY! 

With my best friends from my childhood. And now the second generation.

Love this little boy.

So as you can see, it's been busy around these parts. There have been weeks where I've been in 65+ hours in the office. And after next week's trip to Chicago (also for work) and getting my grad school 18 page paper (ugh!) done, I think the rest of November and December will be pretty relaxed. I'm so looking forward to that....no events, no homework, no reading! I might actually finish baby quilts I've been putting off, run, and read a book for fun.

But, I'm not complaining because I wouldn't trade this life for anything. I can honestly say I won't look back and wish I'd be doing anything different right now than what I am. #lovinlife

Run for their Lives

Yesterday I woke up about 20 minutes before the AZP "Race for their Lives" was supposed to start. I was wishy-washy about if I wanted to run it or not since it was the same time as the church service I usually attend, but since I was already late for church, I decided the next best thing would be to run and give money to a great cause.

The money went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Parkinson's Disease research in honor of two men that were very instrumental to the student organization.

Like I said, I decided to run this thing about 20 minutes before it started, so I hadn't exactly been prepping. I haven't ran that much in the past few months and if I did it wasn't anymore than a mile. Two miles max. So I was a little out of shape. :(

My goal is always to be below 30 minutes. Just one time I want to do that, but yesterday was not the day. After about 1.75 miles I was really tired, THIRSTY, and just wanted to stop. So I turned on my Couch to 5K program and did the walk/run combo for the last lap. Making sure I was running when I passed the shelter house where all the volunteers were waiting of course!

I'm pretty mad for letting myself stop and walk. I shouldn't have. I would have made it just fine if I'd kept going. Last night my lesson for Bible study was on temptation and not giving in when you are tempted. I totally gave in to walking yesterday during that 5K. I should have done my lesson earlier in the week like I was supposed to - instead of at the last minute - and then I would have known that and kept going, even though my legs felt like they were going to fall off. So at least in future races I will have that on my mind to just keep going.

My final time ended up being around 34 something. Blah.

All the runners and volunteers.

The boys in my fraternity that ran.

Another "blah" thing...my hair! I'm not loving these blonde highlights I have and I want it to either be blonder or back to dark. Wah!! #hairproblems