Where in the world was Mr and Mrs P??

Mr. P and I just got back from vacation.  In fact, we got home at about one thirty this morning.  It was wayyyy past my bedtime and I didn't even take a nap in the car.  It might of had something to do with the Excedrin that Mr. P gave me for my headache.  He carries all sorts of stuff in that back pack of his.  Legal type stuff.  Don't get carried away.

Where did we go on vacation and how is that possible--because didn't I just run the Disney Princess Half Marathon?  (which I should dedicate a million more blog posts to-just because)  Since you asked, or have tuned out because you don't care, after running the Princess Half in under my goal of two hours and twenty minutes (are you sick of hearing that yet?)  with my best gal pals, I met Mr. P in Atlanta (soooo romantic meeting in the airport-or not) and we flew to St. Thomas.  We then hopped a ferry (the boat kind) and kissed the sand of St. John.   (not at all like kissing a blarney stone-I know that time of year is coming up)

Why did we go to St. John?  Because Mr. P picked it.  He does good stuff like that.  I'm not sure if he has a  map on a dart board or what, but he doesn't usually steer us wrong.  Except for that Jack Nicholas movie that he picked a billion years ago that was super terrible and horribly disappointing.  But who keeps track of stuff like that?  Certainly not me.  

St. John is a small little island, about nine (although some say seven) miles long and about three miles wide.  There isn't a road that goes all the way around the island.  In fact, two thirds of the island is national park.  That leaves not much room for inhabitants (around four thousand) and guests (including cruise ship people-shudder).  It's known for it's beaches.  Mr. P and I are not known for being beach goers.  Not at all, although we did go to one for about half an hour-just because.  Don't say we don't participate...

Source

So, why would we go to an island that has one of the top ten best beaches in the world??  Ah- we go to swim with the fishes!! Mr. P was silly enough to agree to learn how to scuba dive years ago.  I was smart enough to get us certified before he came to his senses, remembered that he doesn't like water and changed his mind.  Do you want to know the funny thing?  He doesn't like water, but loves to dive.  I'm thrilled that he's had the open mind to give this type of adventure a shot.   Granted he decided this fairly early on in our relationship-so he's probably gotten smarter by now...

An actual picture of an actual beach we were on!

I'll do a few posts about some of the highlights of our trip because I know you're dying to hear all about the tropical vacations that other people take!   Besides that, we really did some pretty cool things and met some super cool people!

But-there's always a but-it's great to be back home!

The case of the loose toenail

A funny thing happened after that sassy Princess Half Marathon. After I took off my tenny sneakers I noticed that I had a couple of blisters. In five months of training I never got any blisters, so why did they show up on race day? Its a big ol' mystery of the universe. Or it could be related to the new socks I chose to sport that day. Nawww that can't be it. So in true "you shouldn't do that" fashion, I popped them, and wrapped them all super snug in band-aids. I know, blah blah blah,possible infection, blah blah. Let's talk about how totally uncomfortable it it to have blisters between your toes when you're trying to vacation. Some things in life are just not to be tolerated. Blisters in my book are one of them.

While I was performing minor surgery on my blisters, I noticed that the toenail on my left foot is loose. Not the big toenail, the one next to it. When I informed Mr P about this he gave me the "well, quit wiggling it!" What fun is he? It's like a little kid that discovers a loose tooth and then is completely obsessive about getting it out. I might be obsessive like that. Maybe.

I shouldn't have a loose toenail. I need them. I'm not that coordinated and tend to drop stuff. Like the agility seesaw that I dropped on my big toe back in November. You can still see the dark spot from that adventure through my nail polish. I dropped it not only once but twice the same day just for good measure. Brilliant idea.

I've heard that runners loose their toenails. And I've heard that you only loose them if your shoes don't fit properly. I had my shoes fitted but a super duper show fitter person. So-does that mean that I'm ACTUALLY a runner now?? I don't FEEL like a runner. (since everyone's into feelings these days). What does a runner feel like anyway?

See my lovely toes?? :-). Try not to pass out from envy.

Finally a Princess

An early morning with the best friends ever...

19,000 of the finest people on the planet...

13.1 miles of roads, Disney characters and music...

My first official half marathon and a personal goal of finishing under two hours and twenty minutes...

And I ended up with this. It was AWESOME!!

Marketing magic

Ah the marketing magic of Disney!

Today we hit the Princess expo. It started off with both Pammy and I getting dusted with fairy dust and wishes that all of our dreams come true. I'm trying to remember what all of my dreams are. Not my sleeping type dreams, those I remember easily because they are somewhat disturbing. I'm talking about those OTHER type of dreams. Those dream ideas before you decide to make them goals. I dwelled on this super deep thought for a whopping thirty seconds before we stumbled into full SHOPPING mode!

If I ever start a business, I'm going to hire disney to do my marketing. Seriously.

How is it that I walked into the expo and my somewhat level headed brain fell out of my head?? Yep, I went into a princess buying frenzy. Grown women everywhere were shopping like they'd never been let out of the house before. Including me. How much princess stuff does a person need? Apparently I needed a lot.

A Dooney bag and four shirts later I finally stopped.

I ALMOST feel sorry for all of you that are going to have to look at me being all "princess-ed" out for the next who knows how long!

On the flip side, I'm totally excited to do this race! (maybe that explains all the shopping?-Mr P will be so thrilled to hear this) Let's do this!!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no, wait. It's a bird....

So- the Princess Half Marathon (it's so important that I felt the need to capitalize all the words) is coming up.  Very quickly.  Like every first time half marathoner, I've been training.  Yep-yep, lots of training going on around here. (did you read that coach?)  But more importantly, I've finally decided what to wear.  That's soooo much more important than logging runs-right?? right??

Since it's Disney, everyone and their crossed eyed cousin dresses up for this thing.  Like Princesses with ball gowns and Prince Charming's with leggings and the frock things they wear.

I feel that if I didn't take part in this halloween type debacle, I'd be stoned or flogged with GU or something.  I can't have that.  I have a vacation to enjoy.  I don't have time to nurse flogging injuries.

Should I dress up as Cinderella?  Belle from Beauty and the Beast? Sleeping Beauty?  Cruella Deville?  Annie from Toy Story?  Snow White? (don't laugh) (no, really, I said don't laugh-I totally thought about it)

Nope.  None of the above.  I decided that I won't take part in the Princess copy cat charade.  Not me.  I'm not that girl.  If I'm going to be a princess, I'm going to be Princess Paula. (duh)  Sooooo, what will your highness (that's me) wear on race day?  Here's a hint-I've gone to the birds!!

Skirt-a super duper (that's a word) running skirt from Sparkle Skirts.  My friend Pammy and I have tried EVERY kind of running skirt out there and finally found these from Sparkle Skirts.  They are WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!   They don't ride up.  They don't fall off.  (how was that for you Pammy?)  They're just right!  Like the goldilocks of running skirts.  And they *might* be a bit flashy.  Or as Mr. P says, "obnoxious."  Actually, he said that until he actually saw the skirt I ordered and then he said it was actually really cool.  He's a smart man.  Really, really smart.
So-without further a due: here is the race day skirt

PEACOCK!!

I opted for a matching dark blue tee from the Under Amour outlet and I'm thinking my "peacocky" (that should be a word) compression socks and sparkly headband.  It might be bright.  It might be over the top (doubt it).  But it's mine.  All mine.  It's like the superhero of running outfits without being an actually superhero or wearing a cape.  (someday)  And in a few days from now, you can officially refer to me as Prissy Peacock Princess Paula Prickett.  (try saying that seven times fast)  :)

Should I ditch the socks?

The Road Fairy

As I've mentioned before, we live in sticksville.  There are no street lamps, there are no sidewalks and the roads don't have shoulders. Or love handles.  Ha!  that was a joke.  These are the roads upon which  I run and walk the dogs. (trying to sound all "Days of our Lives" there)

In the years we've been living here, we and our dogs have found some moderately entertaining things in the local ditches.  How do they get there?  I suspect a Road Fairy.  Who else would leave a pizza or sandwiches for my pups?  (totally true, and they were very thankful)

Other items we've found along the road include and apparently aren't limited to:

Underwear.
Really?  Were you fooling around by the lake and just "forgot" to put your underwear back on?   Or were the cops chasing you and you threw them out the window as a deterrent?  Did it work?  We totally left them in the ditch in the event you want to return to get them.  They're all yours.  Just saying'...

One North Face Glove.
Dear Roadside Fairy, I like North Face gloves.  If you'd like to leave them for me, I'm a women's size large and I prefer a pair as I currently still have two hands.  Thank you.

Dog Food Bags.
The pups love these.  I always wonder what ferocious critter could be living in side them.  So far, nothing other than a stray piece of kibble.  Lucky for me, bummer for the dogs.  They like critters.

Liquor Bottles.
Looks like the Road Fairy is a booze hound.  I wonder if this might be the explanation to the underwear in the ditch? Stranger things have happened.

Not cool Mr. Road Fairy
I'm just assuming it's a Mr.  not a Mrs.
A Mrs. would have picked these up!

A Big Honking Feather.
 I suspect it's from an eagle (we have both bald and golden around here) or it's from an even more super rare feathered  pterodactyl.  It's so cool I took it home.  Besides, who else has one of these? (other than pterodactyl breeders)

Mailboxes.
Ok, probably not a product of the Road Fairy.  Probably a result the local snow plow, and most likely the bane of postal carriers everywhere.  How can you be happy when you find your mailbox in the ditch??  Yeah, that's what I thought....

I can tell you what the Road Fairy hasn't left us.
He hasn't left us a winning PowerBall ticket.  If you're reading this Mr. Road Fairy, Please-feel free to hook us up!  Any time is good.  No, really, any time now, I'm totally serious....   :)

Love is....

Love is.....

A warm puppy AND a warm blanket.....

And if you're thirsty, you'll wear it when you get a drink....

"Love doesn't make the world go round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."  Franklin Jones

Happy Valentine's Day!   I hope you can spend it with those you love!