Back to Running

Now that the bar exam is over, I’ve been able to get back to running.  It’s been rough but feels GREAT!

My first run back was Thursday and it was not easy.  My goal was to run 1 entire way around the pond by our apartment complex, which is about .6 miles.  Not far, but it’s been a month since my last run and it was hot and very sunny on Thursday.  I’m not sure how much of a difference it really makes but man, being a mile closer to the sun than I’m used to, it really does seem to beat down on you a little more.

Anywho, I didn’t make it around running the entire time, but I ended up running a total of 7 minutes.  It took me 18 minutes to get me around twice, so 1.2 miles.  Not fast, but I’m not going for fast.  Not now at least.  It just felt good to get back out there.  The heat definitely made a difference though.  Although I’m worried about getting out to run in the cold, I’m ready for fall.  Running in 60 or 70 degrees sounds much better than running in 90.

Roller Coaster Ride

Sorry, this is not a post about the awesome roller coaster I rode the other day.  Rather, it is about my life and how much of a rollar coaster it feels like it’s been lately.  I just finished up the bar exam (take 2) and phew… glad to have that behind me!  I found that it was quite different this time than last time.  I’m normally (okay, always) a fast tester.  My last EA exam I finished in less than 2 hours… you’re allowed 3 1/2.  Yeah, that kind of fast.  I remember last year, I spent a lot of time in the “break” area of the facility where the bar exam is held.  This year, wow, not so much.

By the way, did I mention I’m officially an Enrolled Agent now?  Yep, got my certificate from the IRS and everything.  If you have tax problems, let me know!  Just kidding… except maybe not.  I’ll really help you.  🙂

Okay, back to the bar:

Ice Cream Cakes

As the birthday cake baker at work, I had another birthday coming up this weekend which we celebrated at work on Friday.  I found this recipe for an Easy Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake.  Oh my gosh… it was AMAZING!!!  Super rich though, so it’ll probably feed more people than you think.  I rarely come home with sweets when I take them to work, but we only ate about half of this one and not because people didn’t like it.  Everyone loved it.  You just really can’t eat too big of a piece.  I was actually asked by one of the owners of my company why I was doing that for a living and not just baking.  If only…

Two Dollar Jewelry Holder

Let me start out by saying this: I have a lot of jewelry.  A lot, a lot.  I have 2 jewelry boxes (well, only 1 that I really use because the other one is one I’ve had since I was really little that holds special things like some old coins, my baby bracelet, etc.), an earring/necklace holder, a bracelet holder, one of those wooden figures that are supposed to be used for art who actually holds more bracelets, and 2 hooks on the wall to hold my long necklaces.  Even so, I’m running out of places to put things and when I’m taking my jewelry off at night, I’m not always the most organized person about it.  I have my wedding rings and my Aggie ring that I wear every day, but those are the only constants.  Earrings, necklaces and bracelets change out daily so as you can imagine, if I’m not organized, they just end up spread out all over the bathroom counter or all over our dresser.

Bottom line: I need something where I can throw my stuff in an unorganized fashion that still looks like I’m somewhat organized.

I had to go run some errands today, one of which included the dollar store.  I’ve been seeing the cute terra cotta jewelry holder all over Pinterest, and while that was my original intention, I ended up doing something a bit different.  Same general idea.  Use something small to connect your bigger pieces that will actually hold the jewelry.