14 days to Costa Rica

We have about 14 more days until Jeremy and I hop a plane to Costa Rica.  Very important side note: we will be flying first class!  Well sorta, were flying to Dallas first class and coach (boo) to San Jose.  I am beyond excited to fly first class, we will be getting drunk the whole time mind you.

First few days were staying in Quepos, and going deep sea fishing, then taking public transit (god help us) to Jaco, a huge surfing town.  Im pretty excited about that one...Im planning on surfing a ton there!  How often can you say you've surfed the best waves in the world?  Then were heading to Arenal for about a week, and enjoying the volcano before going back to San Jose.  

Its about two weeks away and I feel like there are so many loose ends.  I have everything I need to pack but i just need to organize it.  I still want to research some cool things to do around the towns were staying in.  I think the biggest stress for me right now is trying to get the house/dogs/cat before we leave.

Ron helping out with the drip system set up

I spent the last two weeks getting the drip system going in the garden before I realized we really need to call the professionals to do the rest.  

But Ron and I did get some of it done, now its just kind of electrical taped to the garden hose for now.  I decided to use 1/2 tubing with 1/4 tubes to the emitters and that seemed easy right?  Let me say this, I am so glad we live in close proximity to a Home Depot cause I was there almost every weekend twice a day until it was done.

Ron helping digging the ditch for the 1/2 tubing

 Coincidentally, I picked the weekend where it was 100 degree the whole stinking weekend.  It was miserable to say the least. 

Ron catching some shade.

After I figured out where I wanted the main line to go, and dug up the gravel around the boxes, I laid the tubing.  This was the easy (and fun) part.  Next was connecting the 1/4" tubing to the 1/2" main line.  This was fairly easy, but pretty time consuming.  I attached all the tubing to the boxes with 1/4" clamps and added more tubing to attach the emitters to.  

The corn, strawberries, onions and herb boxes I did the bubble emitters.

The cucks, tomatoes, and banana peppers I did the regular drip emitters.

Although this project took a good couple weekends to work on, I am so glad I dont have to stand around and water the plants in the morning.

This weekend after the success of the drip system I picked a bunch of stuff around the garden.  And when I mean around the garden I really mean the neighbors yard.  The one good thing about having foreclosed homes next to you in all the fruit they leave behind!  Jeremy and I a couple months ago jumped the fence and picked a whole tree of apricots.  Now, just in between our property line is a ton of grapes!  I decided to try my hand at jam making so why not try it with a ton of fresh (and better yet) free grapes.  

Honestly, I dont even know what kind they were, but they turned out amazing!

About 5 pounds of grapes made 6 jars of jam.  I dont think we will ever run out.  I have put this stuff on just about everything I can, its that good.

This weekend was chalk full of errands and getting stuff done around the house.  I successfully butchered Buster's mane, but hey I wanted to save a good $100 on grooming.  Ron is being entered into a Lottery contest, so I had to go find a mini top hot (it also might double as a prop in first class).  We attempted to finish the sprinkler system, unsuccessfully.  And I picked a ton of stuff from the garden.  

 I picked a large basket of banana peppers, a few cucumbers, a bowl of cherry tomatoes, a few other tomatoes, and a big bag of basil.  I think it was a successful weekend!

To top it off Jeremy made pizza on the BBQ tonight.  Side note:  I dont think I will ever eat pizza in the oven again.  The BBQ makes the pizza taste so different.  Plus I added a lot of ingredients I just picked from the garden.  I pulled a Homer Simpson, and was drooling.

BBQ'd Sausage Tomato and Basil Pizza

 It was a good way to top off the weekend, and a good start to the week.

The Do's and Dont's to Harvest Catnip!

I was pretty excited this weekend, cause it was the weekend to put in the new drip system, pics to come soon!  My weekend consisted of corn, poop, drip system and catnip for two straight days.  Im exhausted to say the least.  Ron was pretty excited though, he knew it was catnip time!  He spent all day Saturday outside with me enjoying the heat and installing the new drip system.  Despite strictly being an indoor cat, he was pretty well behaved outdoors and pretty much just laid around all day.

I know its a little late to plant corn, but I thought I would try considering our summer has been the summer from hell.  Really?  Two solid weeks over more or less 100 degrees, Im starting to go crazy (so is the Air Conditioning).  I needed to get rid of the green onions, and frankly they had grown to almost regular onions, so I pulled whatever I have left.  Im sure my co-workers, and family and friends are sick of green onions by  now.  The corn that I planted in the spring just stopped growing, I still havent figured out what happened, so I planted the kernels from the old plants before I threw them in the composter.  I know its a little late, but I thought I would try.

Manure was on sale and Home Depot so grabbed 5 bags, and to tell you the truth I should have grabbed more, but didnt want to touch more!  Im hoping with the addition of the fertilizer it will help the corn grow better then in the spring.

I picked a ton of banana peppers (of course), green onions, and a few cherry tomatoes this weekend.  Its almost time to pick some more tomatoes.  Now, its funny Im not really a fan of tomatoes, I mean I like them, but Im not gonna bust out a tomato and eat it like an apple any time soon.  The banana peppers needed a hair cut so I trimmed some of the leaves and transplanted the strawberry plants into a different planter.  Im pretty excited for next year, considering I transplanted about 10 runners a couple weeks ago.  Homemade strawberry jam here I come!  

Do's with the catnip:                                                 Dont's with the catnip:

Trim often:                                                                   Let your cat help!!!!!

Lock up excited mustache kitty:

Don't plant too many plants:

The one thing I noticed is that catnip grows very fast, and LOVES water.  I planted a couple plants back in April(ish) and quickly realized how much it was going to take over.  Catnip is considered a part of the mint family, and anyone that has ever grown mint (on purpose or not) knows it can take over if not properly cared for.  I have gotten about three trims just like this one, since about June, and I am quickly realizing Ron is enjoying me being is drug dealer a little too much.

Before

See how much it has taken over.  I trimmed it back about four weeks ago and it has already come back with a vengeance!

Step 1:

Trim Trim Trim!  Dont be afraid to give it a close shave.  I think your technically supposed to only cut back a couple inches at a time to not shock the plant and kill it,  Trust me, you wont kill it!  

After

I dont know about the right side, that might have been a little close, but I think we'll be okay.  You can also just cut the stems with flowers, but Ron Burgundy does not discriminate!  He loves the whole plant.

The white flowers are the best part!

It is also a good idea at the beginning to top of your plant too.  It makes the plant focus more on growing leaves and hence grows more like a bush.  If you dont you will just have a bunch of really long stems with little leaves.  This time around I just let it grow!

Step 2: 

I feel like a drug dealer!

Let stems dry for a couple days or until really brittle.  Ideally put it away from curious kitties, and in a dark dry place.  I chose to put it in the greenhouse for a day or two, and that seems to work just fine.  The last batch I hung upside down in a closet for a couple days and that didnt blow over to well when Ron found out where the secret stash was!   

Step 3:

I can usually can tell when the catnip is ready when its breaks up easily in my hand.  I put a couple stems upside down in a paper bag and run my fingers down the main stem and it comes right off.  

Step 4:

Store in a kitty proof container, I found that old peanut butter cans work the best.  Dont store it in a big freezer bag because when friends come over they might look at you weird, kind of like you really are a drug dealer!

This is what your kitty looks like on drugs.  Do you know where your cats are?

Top 5 Running Pet Peeves

I thought making a Top 5 list would make me feel a little better about annoying runners.  I spent quite a bit of time (sometimes not enough) training, whether it be for my next tri or for the last half and I swear I feel like people dont have manners!  I thought a top 5 list would be fitting considering Jeremy and I were bitching the second we got out of the car.... Ok so here it goes

5.  Littering:
     Okay, so I understand when your at an Aid station, the first thing on my mind is the environment.  But I at least make a conscience effort to make the cup into the garbage can.  Or throw it off the side of the road so no one can step on it.  But I dont know how many times people would just throw their cup straight down behind them so others would step on.  See, Im accident prone.  I will twist an ankle on a tiny plastic cup!  I rolled an ankle during a tri and while grimacing in pain looked back- all the while thinking it was huge boulder I tripped over- oh no it was a small rock sticking out of the ground. D'oh







4. Overzealous Runners:
  ::sigh::  I understand you're excited...but some people dont want to hear it!  I had the unfortunate time of being stuck pacing with one woman who felt the need to be the policeman of the race, and be so insanely loud I could hear her over my headphones.  She felt the need to tell every woman in the race (including me) to not wear both ear phones because she was worried we were going to get raped! Yes, raped!  After tapping everyone on the shoulder, she proceeded to tell them how her friend was running in Central Park and got grabbed in broad day light.  It also bothered me that every mile marker, her and her friend would take pictures next to the sign, not only that but take pictures with the CHP officers.  Ugh

3. Stopping during Aid Stations:
    Now its not so much stopping during Aid Stations, I know some have to, trust me I need to definitely slow down in order to not get Gatorade all over my face and chest.  The thing I have the most problem with is stopping so others have to run around you just to get a drink of water.  I will shove someone!

2.  Inconsistent Pacing:
     I like to think running is a lot like driving.  The fast lane is to the left, if you want to drive slow, stay to the right.  Some people clearly dont think like me!  When you stop in front of me, we have issues.  Also, if your stopping before we even hit Mile 1, you should probably rethink doing a half marathon.

and my biggest pet peeve and biggest annoyance...
1.  Wearing your race shirt during your race.
     I dont know why this bothers me so much.  I equate it to wearing your favorite band shirt at your bands concert.  Gah, its so annoying.  Dont do it!

Review of Water to Wine Half Marathon

I decided to make the Water to Wine Half my first one for a few reasons.
1) Scenery/Weather.  Come on, if Im going to be running for over two hours, I want to be looking at something pretty!  And believe me this one did not disappoint.  The wineries were perfect, flowers blooming and birds were singing.  I could not have picked a better weekend considering Sacramento was topped out at over 100 degree that day.











2) Downhill.  The entire race was (more or less) downhill the entire time.  I think this was more of a mental thing for me, I kept telling myself not to be nervous cause its downhill the entire time.  And to tell you the truth the small uphill portions were a welcome sight for the knees.

3) Wine, duh!  Alderbrook did an amazing job putting everything together.  I knew I wasnt going to place but some of the top finishers got a bottle of wine.  Me, Ill settle for the awesome wine glass and finisher medal (which doubles as a cork)!







The lowdown:
The race which was on a Sunday...side note:  I loath races on Sunday- I would rather have a race on Saturday and spend all day Sunday recovering, but of course there goes your weekend.  The weekend started on Saturday for us when we drove to Santa Rosa and stayed at the all so glorious Vagabond Inn.  Of course it took me forever to pack, I was definitely was pulling a girl moment and tried so many different outfits before I decided on my Athleta....side note about Athleta, they are probably the most comfortable and cutest clothes for runners.  I am forever in love with them, I also have a few Tri outfits from them too.  Anyway, I decided on my Athleta purple tank, and pink running socks.  Hello bright colors!

We checked in and both looked at eachother when the person behind us (clearly racing as well) was in short shorts and a fanny pack- not just any fanny pack, an 80s style runners fanny pack.  We both did shifty eyes at eachother...kind of like "look at this fool!"  Karmas a bitch though (more on fanny pack guy later)....

The next morning we woke up early and put on the Olympics.  Of course, what was on?  The Marathon.  What gets me juiced for a race?  Watching emaciated Kenyans run the marathon faster then my half!  Ugh.  So we hop in the car and click, click click, the car wont turn over.  We both at the same time look up to the dome light (I wont name any names- ::cough:: Jeremy ::cough::) which someone left on from the night before.  And of course Jeremy doesnt carry cables, to make matters worse its 5am and no one is up.  EXCEPT fanny pack guy!  I get his attention and pull the blonde in distress look, and we jump the car.  INSERT FOOT IN MOUTH!  I feel a little bad for making fun of his fanny pack now.

 I ended up checking in early and stretching while everyone else arrived.  It was one mass start which in hind sight sucked balls.

My very first half and it was starting finally!  The count down begun and I was starting to feel super nervous....like run to the porta potty with nervous poops nervous.  I turned on my iPod (yeah, Im too cheap to buy an iPhone) and the first song that started was the Verve, Bittersweet Symphony...it seemed fitting.  I almost started to cry it was just the perfect moment.  Disclaimer: Im not really a fan of The Verve!

I was convinced that I was going to finish in about 2:30, but forgot to take into the fact that the first twoish miles consisted of dodging everyone and their mom.  We started to space out around the 5k mark, and I quickly was drawn to the scenery to pass the time.  I found my stride and started to zone out.  I hit the first Aid station and was looking forward to getting some water and some Gu's.  Ahhh no more Gu's!!  Since Im not a fast runner, I was towards the middle/back of the pack, and by the time I got there they were all gone.  Let me preface this by saying the volunteers are awesome, but they really need to hand out the Gu's to everyone, cause Im pretty sure the people ahead of me were hoarding!

Before I knew it, I was at mile 6, 7, 8, 9 and the race was starting to wind up.  I made one goal for myself this whole time.  I just didnt want to walk.  I knew I wasnt going to be anything near the top, but I just didnt want to stop.  However, it did get a little depressing when the same people kept running ahead of me a couple 100 yards to just have me catch up to them when they started walking again.  We did this game of cat and mouse the entire race!  I wanted to walk so many times.

At mile 12, I started to put the burners on.  I dont know how fast I ran that last mile, but my god I just wanted to finish!  I passed everyone within sight.  Actually I just wanted to finish before the mom in the tutu.  I rounded the corner and saw my paparazzi, i.e. Jeremy and was ecstatic.  I pushed towards the finish line and crossed in 2:40.

Overall, I am glad I did this one as my first half.  I feel like I can tweak a few things for the next one, and improve my time for sure!  The expo at the end looked amazing and free wine tasting, count me in.  Unfortunately we couldnt stay because of a family get together in Walnut Creek.  I will be signing up for the one next year!  Oh and fanny pack guy finished 3rd overall, I think it was fanny pack.

Cherry popping goodness

I decided to finally delve into the world of blogging.  I actually started a blog back in 2008 when I returned from a month long trip to Europe with Contiki.  It was removed shortly there after, when some of my fellow camp mates didnt appreciate the candidness of my blog.  If you really want to know what happens on trips like these, read it...  Thats of course if I remember where I put it!

Anyway, I decided to share my trials and tribulations of someone trying to make sense of life.  Life for me includes anything to do with working out, gardening, backpacking and home improvement.  Random side note: did I mention I have a kick ass mustache cat named Ron Burgundy

Stay Classy San Diego!