• Over the last couple of years I’ve had to work on improving my credit score.  I had a condo that I sold as a short sale that that brought down my score.  Since then my score has increased to a number in the 800.  I needed to have good/excellent credit because I was looking to buy a house.  Well, I am putting that on hold for a few more months and in the meantime decided to cancel credit cards that I don’t need/want.  Well, my credit score went down and now it went up again.  I am pleased with where I am now.  

• Anyone watching the World Cup Games?  I am not a soccer fan but will watch it every four years.  Sad that Mexico lost on Monday.  

• Anyone use Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner?  I saw this at Walmart and was shocked at the price.  I will admit that it is a large bottle but still it is expensive.  I like Pantene but think this is too much money.

• I LOVE funnel cake.  Not too many places sell it.  I usually eat it when I got to Six Flags and that rarely happens.  On Wednesday we went to a nearby suburb for an Independence Day Celebration.  There were games, live music, and food for everyone to enjoy.  There was a long line to buy funnel cakes and I decided to get two.  If I was going to wait in line for a long time then I had to make it worth it.

• My cat is weird and funny.  Can you see her?  Yes, I have a very old TV.  I refuse to buy a new one since this one still works.

• I did almost all of my winter running around my house.  I didn’t know the city was working on lanes for bike riders and runners/walkers for the lakefront path.  Last weekend I was running on my regular path and a bike rider coming from the opposite side told me something like that I was in the wrong lane or that my lane was down there (and he pointed to my right).  I stopped.  I got annoyed.  I mean, really?  The Lakefront is FREE for everyone to use.  One of the reasons I avoided that path (before I knew that was the path I am supposed to run in) is because it is much closer to the water and no trees around it.  So during the summer it is always hot and sunny and during the winter it is colder and windier.  

• The Yellow Pages are still printed?  I haven’t seen one in years.  I thought there were no longer printed.

• Another reminder thanks to Facebook.  I was supposed to go to Hawaii 9 years ago.  I had my airline and hotel accommodations but had to cancel because of a job commitment.  I had recently been hired as a 1st grade teacher and my orientation dates were during the dates I was supposed to be in Hawaii.  I had no choice but no cancel.  I cannot believe I haven’t been there yet.  So far the plan is to go in 2020 as my last state to run in and complete my goal of running a half marathon in each state. 

• I am not having good luck with parking tickets.  I received another one last week.  This one annoys me even more because I know for a fact my car wasn’t where they said it was.  According to the violation notice, I was ticketed because of special events restriction.  No way!  My car was in a parking lot where my friend works (and definitely not in the address listed in the notice).  I left it there because we went to eat and then downtown to watch a show.

• Are you a fan of cold brew coffee?  I received a sample from Dunkin Donuts but haven’t tried it yet.  I do like the one from Starbucks.  I made a pitcher of Starbucks Cold Brew this morning and that will last me about 3-4 days.  Excited to try out DD!

• It amazed me that with all of the technological advances that go on every day, there is still a traffic jam whenever the power goes out after a storm.  I mean, seriously?  This isn’t something that can be fixed remotely?  Isn’t there someone in the city that has access to all of the traffic lights and can check whether or not they’re working?

• I am not creative at all and struggle to find something cute and fun for students to make.  A few years ago a teacher shared a Father’s Day card idea with me.  Isn’t it cute?  I had my students make this last week for Father’s Day.  Now I have the perfect card for their father but now need one for Mother’s Day. 

• On Sunday I was running on the lakefront and came upon a sign promoting a race that was to start at 8am.  I got a bit annoyed with it.  How can they say that the lakefront trail will be closed?  How?  Why?

• Check out the latest shoe release from Tieks.  I don’t care at the moment whether or not they will match any of my clothes but I like them anyway and I ordered a pair.  I am sure I will find something that will match.

• How cute are these shoes from the Brooks’ Victory Collection?  I found out about them yesterday and the Launch 5 is already sold out.  No bueno.

 • Did you ever collect beanie babies?  I did.  I remember collecting these 20 years ago but cannot remember the reason.  I’ve moved various times and these beanie babies have also moved with me.  I did not want to give them away much less throw them away.  One year I thought about giving them to my students as prizes but that didn’t happen.  A friend of mine asked for these to donate to her cat rescue shelter.  She said that the cats enjoy snuggling to the little bears.  Aww, adorable.  Lola has two (cats) but she ignores them.  You bet I will be making a donation.  

• I got my first Imperfect Produce Box.  I got carrots, apples, pears, peaches, avocados, celery, sweet potatoes, onions, and potatoes.  My first box was about $25 for a large box and I used code “Fifty%” to save 50% off.  My next box will be a small one and I am curious to find out what will be included.

• I got together with friends on Saturday to watch Ocean 8.  Good movie!  Afterwards we got together at a friend’s house to hang out.  I made some caramel apple martinis.  Yummy!  They were delicious.  I had about 3 or 4 that night and work up with a slight headache the next day.  Maybe next time a little less vodka. 🙂

• Thanks to Facebook for reminding me that I brought Lola home 3 years ago.  Isn’t she cute?

• I’ve been looking at tickets to Fargo in August to run a half marathon.  Either they’re too expensive or the times are not convenient.  Almost 10 hours to North Dakota?  And I still have to pay an extra $100?  No.

• Check out this report card from 1954.  I love that it is typed but check out the things that these kids were graded on in school.  I am a 2nd grade teacher and some of the kids would not get a passing grade for half of the stuff on the list.

• Anyone cooks with farro?  New to me.  Have heard good things about it.  

• I rarely eat salads.  I know I should be eating more fruits and vegetables and every year I say that I will do it.  Recently I made a delicious salad with shrimp, sweet potato, chickpeas, and Bolthouse Farms Dressing.  It was yummy!  Now this is what I eat a few times a week for lunch.

• Monday was the last day of school.  It was a LONG day.  Most of my stuff was packed up so we spent the day watching movies and coloring.  Not very exciting but I am sure fun for the students.  I remember when on the last day of school we would be done at 10am.  Now it is still 3pm.  I received a few cards and flowers from my students.

• There were a lot of great deals on Wednesday for Global Running Day.  I signed up for two Rock ‘n’ Roll races in Savannah (November 2018) and New Orleans (February 2019).  I’ve run in New Orleans before but am happy to run there again.  I’ve never been to Savannah but am excited to cross off another state from my list.