And the verdict is...

Tendonitis! After being a big baby I decided to suck it up and go to the doctor today to make sure I haven't hurt my foot too bad. After waiting 1 and a half hours (why do they tell you an appointment time but make you wait so damn long?!) I finnally got x-rayed and met the doctor who informed me that my foot looks okay but that I have Tendonitis. Tendonitis is an infamation of the tendons in the foot, and sometimes the tendons can tear and even break. So he told me to ice, ice, baby, and get some orthopedic lift insoles for my shoes and take it easy from running until the pain is gone. I also have to take some anti-inflammatory meds for 10 days but he feels confident I will be running in no time! He also mentioned that I have signs of Arthritis already in my foot which is kinda scary since it runs in my family. Hopefully I will be able to run for a long time and this won't affect me or become a problem.  I mean, I'm only 27!!

I have to wear my new insoles and running shoes to get used to them to work tommorrow and hopefully I may try to run this weekend if my foot feels better.  Please get better, foot. Please!

What a weekend!

We have had a busy weekend! Friday we hate a date night, Matt and I went to eat at Ezell's Catfish Cabin (sounds very Alabamaian doesn't it!?) and went to see my other husband, Matthew McConaughey, play in "The Lincoln Lawyer". Critics Jess and Matt give the movie 2 thumbs up!! It was not only suspenseful, but also humorous at times. What a great combo!

Saturday I had big plans with Mere to go on a long run and we started out great. Around mile 5 I began to have a slight pain in my Achilles heel/tendon which continued to worsen as we ran. We called the run short at mile 6 (had planned to run 8) and headed to the pool to meet some friends. We had some beautiful weather again this weekend so we took full advantage of it by sitting by the pool sippin' on some Pina Coladas.  Mere has been working on perfecting the Pina Colada recipe for years and I think she's mastered it! They really seemed to help dull ankle pain also. Imagine that! Our friends Amanda, Phoenix, Alaina, Megan, and Maria joined us by the pool. Later that night the boys met up with us and we grilled out at Mere and Ben's house.  It was a fantastic day other than the injury on my foot (which progressively hurt as the day and night went on).

I got to use one of my Christmas gifts Saturday--an embroidered beach towel given to me by my mother. It has a huge pocket on the top/back so it slides onto the top of the chair to prevent it from slipping off and has side pockets for your phone/suntan lotion/etc. It is awesome! You can check it out here and get yourself one.

Today I am nursing my injury with the help of my personal nurse, aka Matt. who has been helping me to ice and wrap it. I am praying it is just a slight sprain or something not serious and it will be better in no time...If not, I am going to have to see a doctor sometime this week and hope there is a miraculous quick cure so I can tie up my shoes and head back out to hit the pavement. I've been taking it easy per my nurse Matt's orders and I have been rotating between laying on the couch and laying out on my beach chair in the backyard. Gotta work on my tan!

Still Slow....

Not mentally. Literally, I am slow. At running. But, check out that 7:14 best pace (who cares if it was going down hill-- it still counts!).


Please note this is Gertrude the Garmin's first blog appearance. I am still loving her like crazy and trying to give her frequent attention.Maybe I should stop eating foods like cheesy homemade potato soup to become a faster runner....I will say 1 week down on the no sweets and I am still making it--haven't robbed a grocery store to wipe out the candy aisle or anything like that. I feel like that's pretty big, right?This is another one of my new found friends--Body Glide. After my long run (okay, so 8 miles isn't that long when you are looking at 13.1) on Saturday I had some major chaffing going on. Wish I had my body glide prior to that run. Oh well. You live and learn.Here is a sneak peak of a BIG surprise that is coming....stay tuned for more details. I know you are on the edge of your seat.Well, I know I won't be winning any awards at the Country Music Marathon but my hopes are high for my March Madness brackets. Watch out people, I came in 2nd place beating all the boys (or all but 1) and am looking for redemption this year to be the winner! My bracket name is "Hoops! I did it again!". I'm so cool, I know.And just because I am random today, I thought I would end with a cute picture of our recent birthday girl and her husband at dinner. Cute pic!

Liver Transplant Benefit

This past weekend we went to Atlanta to attend a benefit for my cousin Tiffani. She is in need of a new liver and will soon be having a liver transplant. Tiffani is a 20 year old beautiful, sweet, generous person who is very humble. She is one of the kindest people that I know, and I am not saying that just because she is my cousin!! Since she was 11 she has struggled with health problems related to her liver. Within the past year or so she has gotten very sick, and the doctors determined that only a liver transplant would help to make her healthy again.

Currently, she is number four. Literally, on the list. Insurance covers most of her expenses, but not all, so the hospital requires each transplant patient to have at least 2 benefits or fundraisers to help both the patient and the hospital out financially (some goes to the hospital's fund/foundation).

Saturday was her first fundraiser. It was held in Calhoun, Georgia, a city about an hour north of Atlanta. When we arrived at 4:30 the line was out the door with people, and the event wasn't supposed to even start until 5! They had several bands play, a catered meal, a cake walk, an appearance by Elvis (to the delight of many elderly women), and an auction. The turnout was awesome--at one time we were even worried the police or firefighters may show up due to us breaking the fire code by having so many people in the building! The outpouring of support Tiffani has by her family, friends, and community was amazing. It speaks volumes to what a great person she is! Overall, we raised almost $13, 000 which is unbelievable.

Hopefully soon, we pray, that her number four becomes one and she receives a new liver. I can't think of anyone else more deserving than her to live a healthy and long life. Please keep her in your prayers as we wait for this day to come!

Check out this article that was written on her in the local newspaper.

Happy Birthday Amanda!!

Today is one of my bestest friend's birthday, Amanda! Hope she has a great birthday and it is as great as she is! Love you girl!

Goodbye Sweets. You will be missed.

For those who don't know, Lent is a Christian tradition which is a time of sacrifice for Jesus for 40 days. The 40 days represent the time that Jesus spent in the dessert when he endured temptation by Satan. Lent for many Christians is used as a time to give up or sacrifice something that they love. It begins today, which is Ash Wednesday and ends on April 23rd, the day before Easter. For Lent this year I have decided to give up sweets. I realize that I have become semi-addicted (maybe I am semi-in denial) to eating something sweet after every meal. Luckily, I am very active and *usually* burn off the extra calorie intake, however, that still does not make my gluttonous behavior okay! So I have made this difficult decision knowing that it will benefit me in the long run and is a great sacrifice for the season of Lent. So, so long to brownies, candy, cake, cookies, and pies. I will miss you, though my waistline may not. To say goodbye I shared a Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake with Matt last night and it was amazing. Delicious. Fantastic. Seriously. Go buy one if you are not fasting sweets for Lent and enjoy.

*Matt bets I only make it 2 weeks with no sweets...stay tuned to see how I do!

A Funeral and Bachelorette Party

What a strange combination, right? Well, I attended both of these events this weekend.

Sadly, Matt's grandfather passed away Thursday night after battling Alzheimer's, several seizures, and an emergency surgery. I was able to get to know him and see what a wonderful personality that he had. He was one of the most unique, funniest people I have ever met. He loved his family and his cigarettes. Both of which are very important. He was very generous and used to always tell us he would give us one million dollars. It was always fun to spend time with him and his large personality. He will be missed.

Saturday night we went and celebrated Ang B.'s soon-to-be tying the knot. We started off at Rogue Tavern which we have previously visited for Megan's bachelorette party. It is a bar/restaurant in downtown Birmingham which has a great atmosphere with live music. We started off with dinner and drinks there and headed to the Lakeview Disrict which is a nearby area with lots of cool bars. We went to Innisfree Pub and danced the night away. After Innisfree closed some of us headed next door to Nana Funks but didn't stay for long. We had a blast and it was great to spend some quality girl time with Ang and some of our close girl friends. Ya'll know I love my girl time! Here are some pictures from the evening.

The Bride-to-be and I

She is ready to go-rain or shine!

From left to right, Mere, yours truly, Pam, Maria, Phoenix, Bethanny, Ang, and AnsleyMaria Maria and I Merenara and Phoenix

Mere and Ang in the bathroom stall, umbrella open. I have no idea how this happened. But it is hilarious.