a long awaited visit and the world's finest cookie

I just need to let out a resounding "WAHOO!!!" After six L-O-N-G years, my younger brother will be returning to the States for a visit. It's hard to believe it's been six years since he was last in here....so many changes have occurred during those years. To say he's been sorely missed would be an understatement. As I've gotten older, I'm so keenly aware that the only other person who truly understands what it's like to grow up in my family, is my brother. And oh, how I miss him! He'll be setting foot in P-town in 20 days...not like I'm ANXIOUSLY awaiting his arrival or anything. Except I am...desperately!

With Drew's arrival comes the returned delight of my favorite cookie in the world...the Tim Tam. These cookies are an other-worldly-good, insanely delicious, amazingly decadent marvel of perfection , heaven-come-to earth savory chocolaty crispy bundle of joy. Have I emphasized enough how much I LOVE this cookie? While you can purchase these cookies at an inflated price at 'World Market'...nothing beats goods from the source!

So, I'd like to make a cookie toast...here's to my brother's visit and the best cookie in the world. I love them both dearly!

Oh...and pick yourself up a pack of these overly priced cookies and let me know if you're addicted to them too! They are Divine!

26.2

So, yesterday some of my dear friends conquered an amazing feat...they ran AND finished the Portland Marathon...they have the medals, t-shirts and blisters to prove it! I'm completely awed and humbled! I cannot imagine training so long and hard for something that in-and-of-itself is something so long and hard. Running for 5 hours straight? Uh...my inner sloth is cringing at the mere thought!

The 19th mile marker is about 5 blocks from my house so I went out in the rain and drizzle to witness this colossal event and even cheer some people on! It is amazing to see so many different kinds of people on the race course. I was anticipating tall, lean and lithe runners outfitted in assorted shades of skin tight lycra...and there were some of those...but I was more shocked at the 'normal' people who were running. People of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. They were at mile 19...and they were still running! Could this be?

During my time at mile 19, I saw two of my friends pass by...I felt nothing short of giddy at their accomplishment. What does it feel like to train for so many months and then conquer 26.2 miles? I felt so inspired and excited...Maybe I should do a marathon too! Yes...I can do this! I mean, I used to be athletic...I used to run...It would be a great excuse to get in incredible shape...To commit to something and see it through. Yes...I could do a marathon! Yes, I'm GOING to do a marathon!!!

So, I spent some time online looking at all the local 5k races (we're starting small here people!). I clicked through on-line photo albums, read about races and even found one that I think would be a pretty good match for me...the Hippie Chick Half Marathon! Maybe I could really do this...

I checked out the race date...figured out how many months it would take to train...what gear I would need to invest in. Looked at some more races...Pasta to Pints- that's a race that sounds like me! WOW, I had no idea there were so many races in Portland! I should sign up for one, then I won't have any choice...I'll have committed...I'll HAVE to do the run!

So, I went and got a bowl of ice cream.

Baby steps here, people! Baby steps!

The first step is THINKING about it...


KUDOS to the marathon finishers!
You know who you are...Chad and Shannon!
You two are truly AMAZING!