A Year Ago

Have you guys heard about this website called Timehop? Basically, it’s a website that pulls information from your social media accounts [facebook, twitter, instagram, etc] to tell you exactly what you did on that day on year before by sending you an email. It’s not nearly as invasive as it sounds…well, kinda, but in a really neat day.

For example, let’s say today you won the lottery. And by doing so you had to let people know so you made a facebook status about it. Well, one year from today you will receive an email linking back to that status and it’s just kind of a neat reminder of what was going on a year ago.

I’ve been on it for a while [this is not a sponsored post by the way – I just really like this site!] and it’s been really neat to see pictures of Lillie, things I’ve thought, and blog posts I’ve shared that I kind of forgot about.

It’s free and you can customize it how you want. There’s also a dinosaur named Abe. Don’t ask questions.

www.timehop.com

Anyhow, this morning I had a letter from Abe & the Timehop team telling me I had shared a blog post on facebook one year ago today.

A link to that particular post - http://lehmannlaughter.blogspot.com/2011/08/trying-to-conceive.html

I wanted to give a little background on this post that I couldn’t share at the time. You see, this post was based a little on my own experience [which in reality was normal – 5 months trying to get pregnant] but mostly on my friend Emilie’s. Yes, the Emilie who is due to have a beautiful baby boy in 17 days. I couldn’t say it at the time that I was dedicating that post to her because she wasn’t ready for the world to know that getting pregnant was just not going well for them [and hadn’t been for over a year]. I generalized it a bit, because I wanted it to appeal to others that may be in a similar situation. But Emilie is the face I saw when I wrote those things. And I didn’t know it then, but Tanner [her soon to be born son!] was the beautiful baby I imagined as well. Particularly when I wrote this, 

The fact is that God just hasn't found the perfect combination of awesomeness for your beautiful baby. There's so much good out there, so much love, so much beauty - He's having a hard time figuring out how to put all that into such a tiny, beautiful body for you.
But He's working on it. I know He is. Because you deserve it.
You have so much to give, He just wants to make sure He can give you a baby that will know how to give it all back to you in the way that you need. 

And when I checked my email this morning, I was just reminded at how wonderful, at how beautiful and at how grateful we should be for our life.

Nothing is promised to us, but if we keep our eyes open we can see that every day a miracle is born.

And God willing, Emilie’s will be here in the next few weeks.
I can’t wait.
 
Happy Labor Day weekend my friends.

Thursday Thoughts 8.30.12

[1] I did a bad, bad thing. Okay, fine, it wasn’t exactly bad. But I did just order myself a pair of boots. And not just any boots, but a pair of Steve Madden boots. I actually already own a few pair of boots – cowboy boots – but this is Texas and those  I also had a pair of “hooker boots” [black knee-high, slouchy with a 4 inch heel – gorgeous my friends, freaking gorgeous], but when my feet grew to man size proportions I gave them away to my bestie Emilie who had been coveting them for some time. Anyhow, for me they are pricey but I did what any shoe-whore would do – I justified the shit out of it.

• If I wear them every day for a year, that’s less than a $1 a day.
• If I use some of my birthday money [thanks to my mom, Al’s Dad, Al’s Mom & James!], then I completely offset the ridiculous cost. Basically I’m getting them for $50. Not a bad deal for boots, right?
• If I sign up for emails I get an additional 10% off – so now I’m getting them for like $40!
• I’m totally saving money by buying them! [My husband tells me this all the time. I am publicly apologizing to you now, my love, for this shoe travesty I have committed.]

Seriously, once you see them you’ll be all up in that justification. So, let’s do it. See?! Totes worth it. Please cross your fingers that they fit my man feet and I love them as much in real life as I do online.

[2] My friend Abbey is running her first 5k on Monday. I am stoked for her. I think running is one of the reasons we started talking and now, seriously, you guys she is one of the most sweetest, genuine people you will meet [even if it is online!] Check out her blog, you won’t be disappointed.
I told her since I can’t be there for her in person to cheer her on [or better run with her] I’d invade her life with texts & tweets & stupidness. Here’s a sneak peak at what you can expect Abs - So, my Abbey, you will do amazeballs. You will not be last. You will be like the wind and it will be glorious.

[3] And now speaking of running, I am on my 5th week of my 10k training – which means next Saturday is the day! I am still slow as all get-out, but I feel confident that I will finish the race. Which has been my main focus for the past 5 weeks. And I haven’t burned out on it and feel excited to take a couple recovery weeks afterwards [still working out, just not as many miles a week – I’m between 10-15 now] and then I jump head first into half-marathon plans! EEK! Thanks for all the support, seriously, you guys are awesome.

[4] How adorable is this? From left to right Lillie, Hunter & Savannah. They are all within 3 weeks of each other I believe, and the parents – we all graduated high school together. I know sometimes people are all about ‘getting out of their hometown’ but it’s not all bad. I’m so thankful for our friends and our little ones. And I’m excited to see everyone at our 10 year high school reunion [holy shit! 10 freaking years!] in the next few weeks. It will be wonderful to catch up in real life instead of on social media.

[5] Labor Day Weekend is almost upon us – I hope you’re lucky enough to have a 3 day weekend!

Lucky Number Seven

Phone conversation from earlier:
Tamara: So, guess what day it is?
Alfred: Uh, I don’t know. What day?
Tamara: Kind of important – it’s our 7 year anniversary!
Alfred: I thought you said it was important?
Tamara: Hardy har-har Alfredo. But no worries, I kind of forgot about it too until Emilie reminded me this morning. Oops.

And that, my friends, is how you know you’ve been together for far too long. When you forget your wedding anniversary and instead of being angry about it – you just shrug your shoulders and go on about your day.

This is either really progressive, or really sad. I haven’t decided which yet.
In any case, the husband and I have made marriage our bitch for the past 7 years [we’ve actually been together for 11 though!] We often kid each other that we need to upgrade to the next model, but it’d be too much of a pain in the ass so we’ll just stick with what we have for now.

Well, I think we’re kidding…
But for seriously, I really do feel like I’ve found my other half [I’d say better, but dudes, we all know how awesome I am] Now, don’t get me wrong, sometimes all I really want to do is punch him in the throat – but hey, that’s marriage. Some days you reserve for punching, other days you reserve for loving. Luckily, loving is usually how we roll. And when it all comes down to it, I couldn’t have imagined picking a better man to be Lillie’s father. I’ve not met a man that works harder, laughs louder or cares more than him. And being able to grow with him as a best friend, a wife, and a parent has been a gift unto itself. And while I hate admitting it to him [don’t you tell him I wrote this, he can never think he has the upper hand. It is a law of marriage, my friends!] he really has made me a more hard-working, dedicated, confident person. And it’s going to be so awesome to tell Lillie one day that “Yes, first loves do exist.”

So, without further ado – I give to you – Lehmann Laughter: A Mosiac

Thursday [Birthday] Thoughts 8.23.12

[1] Guess what? It’s my birthday! And you know what happens on your birthday?? Not a damn thing. I am married, with a kid and a full-time job that I have to wake up for tomorrow morning. Life doesn’t stop because one amazingly awesome person was born on this day 27 years ago. I mean, it should. But eh, what are you going to do right? I do have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised all day long with greatness. Lillie’s Granny & Papaw surprised me with this when I dropped her off this morning -

90 calories of pure fantasticness, my friends. And then when I got to work I found this waiting for me - Yeah, you’ll notice the cookies are the ones that are already open. But everything else is pretty much non-existent at this point in the day. Although, we did find that people asked what the healthy food was for more often than when we have cupcakes hanging out in the conference room. But, of course, my husband could not be one-upped by anyone, I received these just a little bit ago. Go ahead. Read the card.
You know you’ve been married for far too long when you start referring to each other with poop face as a term of endearment. I did ask him what the flower shop replied with when he told him what he wanted on the card.

Alfred: I told her poopface.
Me: [insert laughter] What did she say?
Alfred: She asked me if I was suuurreeeeee that’s what I wanted. It’s not like I asked to call you shit head or something.

It also came with these - You know, to offset the healthiness of the fruit & vegetable tray from earlier. Love that man.

I don’t know if we’ll partake in any ‘official’ birthday shenanigans any time soon. But if we do, you know you’ll hear about it. I need some good blog ideas – and if alcohol is involved you know something will be going down.

[2] We have a swim party this weekend for a 4 year old & a 2 year old. Even though I am no where near bikini ready by society standards, I’ve decided to say fuck it because I’ve been working my ass off [literally] for months and I may not be perfect – but I am pretty fucking happy with myself at this point. I’ll stretch mark & jiggle my way all around that swim park and love every fricking second of it.

[3] I went to eat lunch with my Emilie today at Panda Express. As we were talking, she was eating her spring roll and when it fell from her hand into the sweet & sour sauce you would have thought her puppy died. Twas fantastic.

Happy Thursday!

Thursday Thoughts 8.16.12

[1] I bought some new shades for $5 today. They are so awesome that I actually walked through my office building without taking them off. Yes. I was that girl. No shame, my friends, no shame. [2]I generally run on the treadmill at the gym that’s like 50 feet from my office, but it was closed yesterday and will be through the weekend for some shiz they call “Staff Maintenance”. I mean, dudes, can’t you maintain while I get my boob sweat on? Seriously, I won’t be a bother. I mean, just ignore the huffing & puffing and the possible fountain works and we should be good, right?
Anyway, it’s closed so I’ve been attempting to do my workouts at home on the craptastic treadmill my husband came across last year. I’m pretty sure it’s completely off in pace and distance, but eh, something’s better than nothing. I’m also convinced it’s shorter than the ones at the gym as I’ve almost fallen off the back of it at least a dozen times in the past 3 runs I’ve done on it.
[3] The bestie, Emilie, is now 36 weeks pregnant and officially over it. Here’s a few snippets from our AIM conversation earlier that made me laugh.

Tamara: Other than those things, what else do you lack?
Emilie: A baby.
Tamara: Good point.
Emilie: …every time I move my stomach these pains make me want to punch puppies.
Tamara: I am currently writing my Thursday Thoughts post. I’m pretty sure you’re going to be in it.
Emilie: Sawheet. I’m totally going to be famous now. And if your blogs are ever turned into a movie
            [totally think they should BTW] I will be the perfect Emilie.

[4] This time next week I will officially be 27 years old. I think this is the first year that someone had to remind me my birthday was coming up [Thanks Emilie!] No big plans as of now, other than maybe forcing the husband to take me out to eat so I can wear these shoes I bought months ago with the justification that since they’re leopard they will make me run faster. [Don’t judge me. My brain is not logical when it comes to shoes. And especially when it comes to shoes on sale.]Photo courtesy of Emilie from a few weeks ago when we were looking for an outfit and had to share the gloriousness of the shoes with her sister. Yeah, it’s not the best and my toes are hot mess…but you can’t deny the cuteness of these 5 inch wedges. [Also, the higher the heel the smaller my foot looks – SCORE!]
[5] I am currently drinking a baby soda. A BABY SODA. I am really considering making a baby coozie to go with it. Because who wouldn’t buy that? You know you want one now. Don’t deny it. Happy Thursday friends! Link up with Sar at [life of love] if you haven’t already!

Every thing's Bigger In Texas

Hi guys.
I've been a little MIA for the past week or so. Sorry. I just needed a break, I think? Honestly, I'm not sure what the deal was but I just wasn't feeling the Internets. Do you guys ever get that way? Like you're forgetting about everything outside of the computer and that makes you sad? That's what I'm blaming it on.
So here's a few just random ramblings.

10k Training
It's going well. I'm on my 3rd week and actually feel like if I had to run 6.2 miles tomorrow I could do it. I mean, it would suck balls, but I could do it. So, there's that. This weekend my long run is 4 miles. I've ran 4 miles before, so I'm not too worried about it - but that's the longest distance I've ever run so thinking what's beyond that is kind of intimidating. But I've decided to focus more on the distance than my pace [and it's seriously made a world of difference in my attitude!]. At this point I anticipate finishing the 10k somewhere between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes. Not fast by any means, but faster than someone who's not doing anything, right?

Running Shoes
Remember how I told you I had man feet, but that's okay because they still carried cute shoes in women's size 12? Well, my shoes came in. And they were beautiful but....
size 12 in women's did not feel the same as a size 12 in men's. After talking with the guy working and telling him my 10k/half marathon plans he suggested I go back to the men's shoes because while I could run in the women's, I may suffer from more blisters & black toenails. I do not want to be uncomfortable running - so, I decided I'd just rather be uncomfortable ordering a pair of men's size 12 running shoes instead. They should be in today or tomorrow. I actually think I like the color combo better than the purple/red. What do you guys think?

Boiled Baby Butt
We believe Lillie managed to scratch open a mosquito bite on the tip top of her bottom and then the party crasher called Staph managed to sneak in and make it her home. Basically, I felt like the worst parent ever because I assumed the whining was from her molars that are starting to come in. I mean, I gave her a cup of ice and she'd stop. But looking back I can see now [stupid hindsight is 20/20 crap] that something was up but, at the time just thought she was being a fussy [almost] 2 year old.
Basically, we had to go to the doctor [he did say it hadn't really developed as badly as he thought so we caught it really early] where he lanced it. Yes. That's right. I had to hold her down while he cut my baby on purpose. So did her Granny [who came with me, thank the sweet baby Jesus]. I couldn't have done that alone. Physically and damn sure not emotionally. She is much better and has found a new love of all things band-aid. Also, she likes sticking her butt up in the air, pointing to her 'boo-boo' and saying "Owww" very pitiful like. Even when she's sick she still manages to be adorable. Damn kid.

Weight Watchers
I've been back on the plan for 2 weeks and it's going fairly well. I've lost 3.5 lbs [yay!]. I'm currently attempting to write something to share with you about my weight struggles. But with it being so personal, and having so many people I know in real life who actually read this thing I call a blog - it's harder than I thought it'd be. I've always been a pretty open person, so it's caught me by surprise.

Every thing's bigger in Texas
Which includes my hair today. Seriously. Talk about turning up the volume, am I right?

Happy Hump Day people!

Are those tears?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume everyone has heard about how pregnancy hormones can make any woman emotional over anything at any given moment.  People just kind of know that if your wife snaps at you for doing the dishes because she seems to think you're telling here she's not 8 months pregnant and tired but rather just a big old fattie and lazy. [True story. Sorry husband.]

But I don't think people tell you about the after pregnancy shit that goes on. I mean, when I heard you still had to push after you give birth to get the placenta out, I pretty much gagged on my own disgust. I just didn't know. [That's a whole 'nother post for another day.] But you know what else I didn't know -

I didn't freaking know that I'd cry at every gawsh-darn thing that involves a freaking baby or toddler or child of any sort at.any.given.moment. FOR.EV.ER.

For the love of sweet baby Jesus please tell me you know this movie.

Nobody told me that part. I mean, I thought I'd just go back to being all "Hey, lady on the news, I get it - your kid almost died but was pulled from the building at the last minute. He's alive, so why the hell are you crying, you freak?" You know, that sort of thing.

Well, you don't. You just don't. After you become a mother, all of a sudden every situation that involves a child becomes your child. You can't help it. I mean, if it happened to them, it could happen to us.

And oh sweet baby Jesus you mean there's a 1 in million chance my child could die from this splinter [of this particular wood that only grows in the most remote places and it's the last tree to even be alive] in the fingernail - WE MUST REMOVE ALL FINGERNAILS IMMEDIATELY.

Obviously that's a little dramatic [blame the mom-mones] but seriously, that's just the way it is.

So, I should have known better. I should have known better when I jumped on the treadmill to bust out my 2 miles for today and the show playing on the television was...A Baby Story.

If you haven't heard of this show, it's basically TLC following a mom & dad around giving you their baby story - sometimes they show the baby shower, the nursery, and of course, the first time they hold their new born babes. Ugh. Tears-freaking-galore.

For a brief moment I almost turned the channel, and then I was like no, I don't need too. I'm good. It's not like I'm listening to it. You see, our treadmills have the TVs attached to them, so while I usually have it on I don't listen because I'm attached to my iPod. The thing I forgot though was I was on the one treadmill with closed captioning - so I could read everything.

And I was running. And Celine Dion  was playing [damn you magical goddess of vocal harmonies!]. And they cut away to the birthing mother being surprised by her mother. I could feel that lump trying to come up. It was there folks, but I was strong and I pushed it down.

It didn't last long.

Because you know what grandma said - you know what that whore said to make me cry like a baby while I was running on the treadmill - she said,

I can't think of a better way to show her love towards us than having this baby.

Are you kidding me?
And then it happened. All of a sudden it was 25 years later, I had graying hair and I was holding - are you fucking kidding me I promise on my daughter right now I'm crying while I type this-

oops, my co-worker caught me.

 I was holding my first grand baby. And you guys, it was fucking beautiful. So many moments in my head, her whole life just flashed in front of my eyes. And then I started imagining her at my finish line of the 10k, of the half, of everything that I hope she's proud of me for in the future.

Tears were pouring out of me. And I was running with T-Rex hands

and wiping snot on my towel and...

it was one of the best runs I've had in a long time.

Even if I did look like a blubbering ass mess.

So, this is just a courtesy to you future moms out there. Get ready. It will happen to you. I just pray it's not in a gym with 20 something sorority girls and frat guys staring you down like you're crazy. But then again, if it did- it's not like you'd be the first person in history that it happened too.

Thursday Thoughts 8.2.12

[1] I feel like I've been talking about running a lot lately. I promise this won't turn into a play-by-play [I mean, I'll still definitely talk about how pregnancy panties are vicious creatures and how my kid poops on the floor] But you know how it is when you get excited about something, you just feel like sharing. And since not many of my friends [er, pretty much none] have decided to jump on the running train with me - you guys get the brunt of it.

[2] I have a date tonight. And no, it's not with my husband. [I'm quite the whore if you didn't know]

Getting our drunken muddiness on at Mud Nats 2011.

Just kidding - it's with the bestie, Emilie! She's been working so much lately and been all 'Hey, look at me I'm pregnant' we really haven't had one. I'm way pumped about it. Even though I've had all day to figure out something to eat that's relatively healthy and have exactly zero ideas.

[3]A few years ago I did Weight Watchers and lost nearly 30 lbs. If anyone talks about weight loss, it's the first program I recommend. So, I finally listened to my own recommendations and I joined again at the beginning of this week. While I am working on my fitness and know I have improved, the fact is I'm still technically overweight. I figure the less I weigh, the less I have to lug across a finish line, right? I feel really good about it at this point - day 4 - and hopefully will be brave enough to share my weight loss journey with you. I know how many mothers, adults, friends, family, everyone struggles with their own self-image - if my insight and my ridiculosity can make it a little easier for them - I'm in. 

[4] Hi, drivers. I just need a second of your time. Can you please be aware of your surroundings? Put the phone down - nothing is that important while you're driving that you have to text. If it is - your ass better be dialing someone.
And please, please be aware of construction workers who are on the road - they don't have a one ton vehicle protecting them if someone hits them because they're not paying attention. All they have is a family at home that is counting on them to make it home. Slow down. Be cautious. Give them as much room as you'd like to be given on a road where people are passing you going 70 mph. Wherever you're going can't be as important as another humans life.It.just.can't. 

Ready to hit the weekend! Are you?

My Man Feet are On The Run

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time then there are two things you should know about me [and if you haven't been here well, where have you been all my life you sexy bitch, you?] ;)

1. I am trying to be a runner [a slow one, but a runner nonetheless] I've run a few 5ks [3.1 miles] this year, I have a 10k [6.2 miles] coming up in September and I won the lottery [no, not the good kind] so that in January I will run a half-marathon [13.1 miles].

and...

2. I have ginormous feet. I had giant feet before the kid [size 10] but when she made her debut the magical baby gods decided to also bless me by upping my shoe size to an 11. I know, I'm shaking my head right there with you in disbelief. I seriously don't understand why either. It really is just a pain in the ass finding cute shoes [nothing is "cute" at this size, it's all gargantuan and somewhat menacing]. Unless of course you have your child wear your shoes. Then it is adorables beyond belief.

And through all my research [hello Google!] the one thing I've come across time-and-time again is you need a good pair of running shoes fitted for you.

[Say what? You mean I can't live it up in my size 11 kicks that I bought at Academy over a year ago?!]

But for the past month or so I've noticed the shoes had been bothering me and so, I told myself I'd make it through the horrid 5k in July, then I'd go get a new pair. But I'd go get a new pair at an actual running store.

To say I wasn't nervous would be like saying these pants are a good idea.

It's just a straight-up lie.

I was nervous for a couple of reasons - the main one being they'd laugh at me when I told them I was 'a runner'. I don't know why, but I expected one of those snort-laughs followed by a quick up and down look-over that clearly meant, "Yeah, right, buddy. You keep thinking that."

The other reason - that they wouldn't have women shoes in my size and I'd be forced to buy a pair of men's shoes. Which, there is nothing wrong with. I've actually purchased men's tenny shoes before, but it wasn't because I had no choice in it - it was because those were the shoes I wanted. And somehow that made it feel different.

Anywhoozle, with yesterday being a designated rest day according to my training schedule I decided to hit up our local running store, On The Run. I called prior to just showing up to see if they could analyze my foot [or whatever it is they do] to help me find the best type shoe for me. I spoke with an Ashley and she said yes, of course, bring your shoes you run in now and we'll get you all set up!

So, during my lunch I ran [haha, get it!] over to On The Run.  It's a small store in our downtown area, and the salesperson [who was Ashley that I spoke to on the phone earlier] immediately asked me what I was looking for - so I told her. She was currently helping 3 other people, but still managed to make time for all of us. As I waited for her to finish up with some of the other customers, I browsed the store. There was a clearance rack [ SCORE!], a whole slew of information on upcoming races [yes, I took some info! Superhero 5k in October, anyone down?], compression sleeves/socks, sports bras galore, a ginormous wall of men's, women's and kid's shoes and basically, stuff to help you run. Or bike. Or swim. [For all you tri-lovers out there.]

When Ashley came my way, the first thing she did was look at my shoes and tell me to throw them out the door as far as I could. Oh, Ashley, your sense of humor gets me every time.

She looked at the wear pattern on the bottom of my shoes, made some noises [a few hmms, and huhs] which sounded all very professional. She then had me walk back and forth a few times while she stared at my feet. Yes, she stared at these giant feet-boats I prance around with - at this point instead of being self-conscious I was just relieved that she was so laid back and knowledgeable.

And then...she measured my feet.
And it became official.
I am a man.
Okay, fine, I'm not a man. But I am a woman with really, really big feet.
Because she said, "Well, you need a size 12."

At this point, if I could have fallen to my knees and screamed a very loud, very dramatic "NOooooo" to the gods of the shoes without seeming off my rocker - I would have.

But it gets better, my friends, because remember my second reason for being nervous? Well, it happened. Because she didn't have any size 12 shoes in women's in stock [and wasn't sure if they carried what I may want in that size]. She went back and pulled some from the men's - 3 different pairs. I tried on, I compared, I talked with the other customers in the store [who were also starting their running careers] and Ashley helped me find exactly what I wanted. She asked me if I was interested in other colors [the shoes I had picked were red] and I said sure.

She gallivanted [or just walked, but really gallivant? Best word ever.] to the back for the book and came out with a smile and some awesome news.

Turns out the shoes I liked, the men's shoes I adored like no other - they came in women's. And they came in size 12 women's. At this point I was very grateful I didn't fall to my knees cursing the shoe gods - for they had shown mercy on me. The only down moment was realizing they'd have to order them and I won't actually have them until next week [hopefully Thursday or Friday], but I went in to this knowing the chances I'd find a shoe, in my size, in stock were slim to none - so really no surprise.

So, now that we've gone through this whole she-bang, are you ready to see what I picked?

Awesome, right? They're Mizuno Wave rider's. I put them on, and like my wedding dress, I knew they were the one. [or two, or pair, or whatevers].

So, a huge shout-out to Ashley who was wonderful, answered every question I had and basically didn't make me feel like a moron. I'm pretty sure On The Run just found themselves a customer for life.

Have any of you ever gone to a specialty running store [or any kind of specialty store]? Did you have a good experience?

For those of you in the central Texas area - here's On The Run's Facebook & website.