“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” -Virgil Kraft

There are 2 of these trees outside my TV station. Each year they bust out these fragrant blooms and the smell is amazing! And they look incredible for about 4-5 days. Then, inevitably, the winds come and blow the blooms away. But for those days? It’s amazing.

In other news:

  • Thanks for all the sweet compliments on my post the other about that picture. I love you guys! You made my week!
  • It’s 82 degrees here today and tomorrow. I’ve begun stalking the forecast for the marathon on the 4th. It’s promising so far.
  • I think May is my favorite Month. Here’s why: I love the promise that it holds. The weather is just (generally) going to keep getting better for 3 more months, its still building up to the Summer Solstice. We start eating on patios and doing things outside again. And the days are just going to get longer. I like the anticipation of a lot of things (sometimes) more than the actual event!
  • I’ve actually spent a lot of time thinking about that lately….how I don’t enjoy things because I’m constantly looking ahead or worrying about things. I am not good about living in the moment all the time. I’m working on that. 
  • But I’m a really good over-thinker and shutting my brain off is not my specialty. Especially at night.

Anywho! Busy weekend ahead, Corky, long run tomorrow morning (last one before I taper!!) going to the Psychic with my friend and then a 3rd (!) date Saturday. Then Sunday, Church and a huge private party for Corky. I’m going to need a weekend from my weekend!

Have a good one friends!

celestegivesup said: I do that with my sonicare at least twice a week. IT NEVER STOPS.

Welp, it happened again this morning! You’re right…It will never stop! Oh well, my mirror will be really clean now! 🙂

funnyrunner replied to your photo“My Thursday evening run was sheer perfection. Seemingly overnight,…”
I do not understand why he made you spin. What did he think he was looking for?
I’m guessing he was looking at my butt. He had also asked me if I had kids, then asked me to spin. It was odd, to say the least!


My Thursday evening run was sheer perfection. Seemingly overnight, spring has exploded across Southeast Nebraska. The trees and flowers are blooming and the air is permeated with their intoxicating scents. Mix that with people grilling out, mowing their lawns and a breeze from the south, along with blue skies and a beautiful sunset and you have the perfect spring night for a run.

I didn’t want to go all day. I spent most of my drive home (all 10 minutes of it!) bargaining with myself that I would run tomorrow. I managed to talk myself into the run. Some notes:

  • I took a different turn than my usual route: it added an extra half mile, but a lot of it was up and down hills. It was fun! I liked “getting lost” in my own neighborhood. I also ran a lot faster on this run. Hooray for improvement!
  • I love Spring in Nebraska. It gives me hope. The renewal of life, the warmth, the sunshine. Love it all.
  • I have a 3rd date on Saturday. Should be fun!
  • Last night at Corky, there was a couple who kept chatting me up. Specifically the guy. He told me (and his girlfriend) that I was “as cool as shi*.” And then he told me that I “was what, 25?” I told him nope, I was 32. And he said I was lying and made me spin for him. It was kind of strange. We talked about dating, and he said he would set me up with his friends except that they were “all fat losers.” Um, thanks anyway? So odd.
  • Corky again tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon. Busy weekend ahead!
  • The Lincoln Marathon is rapidly approaching on Sunday May 4th (Star Wars Day!) I’m feeling much more prepared. Phew.
  • I changed my avatar today. I dig it.
  • I used my new Sonicare Toothbrush for the first time. My teeth feel amazing. Rookie move by Melissa: I took it out of my mouth BEFORE I turned it off, leaving a splattering of toothpaste on the mirror. The mirror has been windexed clean. Whoops! I don’t think I’ll make that mistake again!

Have a wonderful Friday Friends!!

That moment when…

…your friend uploads and tags a photo of you on Facebook that you forgot taking and you can’t stop staring at yourself.

Call it narcissism. Call it obsession. Call it ironic. Call it whatever you want.
But, in the midst of feeling low about your appearance, sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words to turn your mood around.

I expect I’ll lose some followers over this post of self acceptance and love.

When I was fat, I was told I had “such a pretty face.” And people said that, “she’d be so pretty if she lost the weight.” I lost the weight and started dating. And guys liked me. And it was a weird thing when they started telling me that I was beautiful. I don’t know if I believe them when they say it. 25 years of feeling (and looking) one way is tough to shake. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with how I look now. I’ve worked too hard to be that down on myself. But we all experience those low periods. 

So, in the interest of self-love, acceptance, and feeling like occasionally, you CAN look like a million bucks; I give you this photo.

Because sometimes all a girl needs is the right dress, makeup, and camera filter to look and feel beautiful! 🙂

And that’s just fabulous.

trivialbob said: I totally knew you were going to a psychic, like six days ago I knew.

Oh Bob, I KNEW you would know! I should just come and see you instead of going to see the Psychic! 😉 Maybe you can forecast my love life!

@twentythreetolife said: Ooooh let us know about the psychic!! Have fun Melissa 🙂

Ally-Thank you! I will tell you guys all about it! I’m so excited!! 

Terrific Tuesday!

  • 3.1 miles before work OUTSIDE this morning! It was a brisk 44 degrees, but it was great to be outside running. I’m a fan.
  • The flowers and trees have burst into blooms recently. I am such a fan. It makes all the difference in the world to me when spring finally hits and the world wakes up from its winter slumber. 
  • This tree is one of many along the hospital that I live across the street from. I love the way the morning sunlight is hitting the buds.
  • I’m having a dinner tonight with my former College professor that I am very close with. She’s a friend now. I like that. 
  • My friend Rob and I are going to a Psychic and then going to get Froyo. I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted to go to a Psychic…just for fun! 

I’ve read some other posts about this community and there are some things I want to address. But right now, it’s time to do the news! So that’s a post for another time!

Have a great day friends!

Scenes from my 10.2 mile run.

The flowers and trees are blooming!
I stupidly waited until 2:30 to run. It was 81°, and humid, and partly cloudy. The heavens opened up and it rained a bit on me. It was nice to get cooled off.

I got yelled at by guys in 2 cars within 30 seconds of each other. They were going opposite directions. It was kind of funny.

I’m a hot, salty, sweaty mess. But, I’m feeling better about the half in 2 weeks.
10.20 miles//12:17 pace.

Sunday Runday Funday!

Happy Easter!

Of No Runs, Bad Runs, and Tired Quads

I’ve been aboard the struggle bus lately when it comes to my training runs. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, PEOPLE! I’ve been inconsistent at best when it comes to weekday running. But I vowed to get back on the Horse this week.

And I did!

3.1 miles Monday night. 1.5 miles of speed work Tuesday. 3 Miles BEFORE work this morning. 4-5 miles tomorrow and 10-13 on Sunday. We’ll play that one by ear. 

But here’s the thing: for a few weeks now, my legs, specifically my quads have been so sore. Like, they feel exhausted when I run, no matter the time of day. Is this because:

  • I need more sleep?
  • I worked (and stood for 4 hours) at Corky last night?
  • I sit most of the day at the station?
  • I’m a wimp and need to power through it?

Maybe a combo of all of these. But today’s run was kind of eh. I’m hoping sleep will help and I can have a good couple of runs this weekend. 

In other news:

  • I had a blast at Corky last night. I met this great couple (the wife was hilarious!) I told her some of my dating stories. She told me how she and her hubby met and married at age 18. 12 years and 3 kids later, still together and very much in love. Adorable. Insta-friend, you know what I mean? I even gave her my blog address! (hi Rachel!) By the end of the night she was teasing me and told me to get my “whore mouth out of here!” (dating story throwback). I died laughing when she was horrified by what she said. Good stuff.
  • I have a 2nd date tonight with this guy from last week. The guy I went out with Wednesday night on our first date was BORING. I started yawning midway through the date! Whoops. I said to myself, “I grow weary of this dating game.” Seriously. I’m over it. If things don’t pan out with this guy tonight, I’m taking another dating break for the summer. I just can’t even anymore. Ya know? He has been texting me everyday, which is nice.
  • Thanks for all the kind comments on my cheek mishap. Good news? I’m fine. It went away to just a pink spot by the evening. No lasting damage. 
  • I have the weekend off from Corky, heading home for Easter with the fam. I’m also getting my hair cut and colored tomorrow. It’s getting crazy long. 
  • See?
  • Note how flat it is with any curl in it? This is why I have to do my hair everyday. Its not a good look otherwise.

Well, have a wonderful Easter weekend friends!