Break

It was a fantabulous day today. Finally a nice bit of weather to get us away from either muggy, humid, and hotter than Hades or muggy, hot, and OMG is that a monsoon?

Work rewarded us for getting us through the year with a BBQ for lunch today. We got to spend 1.5 wonderful hours out in the sunshine not working. I look forward to those. Plus it was jeans day. It's amazing what allowing your employees to dress down does for morale. I wish we have jeans days more often but I'll take what I can get.

After work we headed over to the range to hit a bucket of balls. It's been I don't know how long since I've played and I was worried that everything I had learned would go out the window. But all was well, I still topped the ball quite a bit but when I got under it and swung smoothly I had a nice draw and good loft. Plus I was hitting my driver pretty well and that is a first for me. We've decided we are going to go play this weekend- likely on Sunday morning. Just the 2 of us. I'm really looking forward to it.

Post-golf today I felt guilty. I didn't run at lunch and I didn't feel well (I've got this nasty cough thing where my voice is cracking and itchy and just eeew- plus my back hurt. Mr Buckeye was sick for about a week and I'm worried I may have caught what he had. Same symptoms- achy, sinusy, coughing, etc. only his throat didn't hurt.) But as we were driving home I had the urge to run. I didn't want to be mad at myself that I fell off schedule for even 1 day.

So I went. And I did it. It was hard, I'm not going to lie. But I decided I would stay at my 5.5 pace during my runs and push through. I managed all except the last 2 minutes of the 2nd 5 minute run. 3 minutes in I had to take a 10 second breather to finish. But I ran 10 seconds extra to make up for it. All in all a solid run. Especially considering I didn't feel well. 2.57 miles in 32:30, average pace including 5 min warmup and cool down was 4.7.

I can do this. I know I can. It's a tough road but I'm mentally coping with it and I figure that has to be at least 75% of this process.

And just so ya'll don't think I'm faking this. Here I am after the run today. Blinded by the sun, redder than a tomato, and dripping with sweat- I toweled off... I don't know how many times.

And remember when I mentioned I was THAT girl at the movie theater? You know... the one who Knits In Public? Well, this is what I started:

One Row Lace Scarf
US 9
Elsebeth Lavold Cool Wool in Color 07
My Ravelry Project Page!

Tiga Tiga Tiga Woods Ya'll!

I played my very first round of golf yesterday. Ma, Mark, Mr. and myself took off to a short 9 hole course nearby and we attempted to see if I could actually do this. Unfortunately the fabulous sunny weekend that we experienced retreated and we were out there in dismal cloudy skies and teeny droplets of rain and wind. But it was a blast. I got to wear my cute golf shoes (still love them!) and drive the golf cart! I did great for my first time out I think. I was able to hit my irons and drive the ball pretty well. And by pretty well I mean hear the “TINK!” sound when you make contact. Unfortunately I’m still learning my distances and what clubs to use when. I have pretty much no ball control and my short game is absolutely terrifying. Mr. Buckeye is going to take me to a putting green and chipping green so we can get that straightened out.

I did however have 1 really good hole (for me anyway) I actually pared! (well, with a mulligan anyway) First shot I shanked my ball right and landed by a tree. I was terrified that I was going to hit the tree and the ball was going to pounce back and hit me. Mr. assured me it wouldn’t happen, just aim more left and it will be fine. I take my swing, hit the ball, and what do you know, that ball plunked directly into the tree and shot left in warp speed. It was absolutely hilarious. (Ma and Mark ran for cover) So I took a Mulligan (aka a do-over) and took another swing. Miraculously (and totally redeeming myself) the ball landed about 4 ft. from the hole.

IT. WAS. BEAUTIFUL. Sunk my putt and marked my first PAR!

We had a fantastic time, Mr. Buckeye was happily surprised and there was no arguing or threat of divorce. Looks like this might be a good “couple hobby” for us after all.

My first 9 holes ever. I shot a fabulous 53, in the rain. And I’m thrilled.

I'm going pro, yo!

So in the midst of a tornado watch yesterday (seriously? No clue where that came from- it was windy and lovely! Maybe a little too hot but surely not dangerous weather weather!) we spent the evening here:


Because I finally got a new golf bag!


Pink Plaid? Yes Please!


I sold my purple set to my mom a few weeks ago. They were just a wee bit too short for me, being a lady starter set and all, and there was a great golf expo a couple weeks ago where I found a new set. The Mr. got the clubs he has been lusting over. Brand New Taylor Made Burner Irons. We got a great deal on them - And I found an awesome pair of Nike golf shoes and got the vendor to knock of some $$ on those too! I just love them. And woah, I must be a serious golfer now that I have my very own shoes!

(Not going to lie, I had the cutest shoes at the range yesterday. For reals.)


After we got my shoes and his clubs we decided to look for some new clubs for moi. I ended up getting an impromptu lesson from a vendor who determined that I did, in fact, need different clubs. Apparently I’m a 65 year old man… I kid. But I did end up getting a set of Senior Clubs. They are longer than the lady clubs, but still light enough that I can swing easily. He had me hit about 100 cheerios (yes those cheerios… but not the honey nut- I’m told they stick to your clubs) so that he could see my hand eye coordination and see my swing- which is not as ugly as I had thought. He told me I had a good, athletic swing. (::blush:: gawrsh, thanks!) Then he had me hit a golf ball. I topped it like crazy and almost broke the club. Okay maybe not that bad… but it was not good. So he played a trick on my mind- Put a cheerio directly behind the ball. Then hit the cheerio. It worked like a dream. Whodathunkit!

So back to yesterday. I hadn’t hit in about 2.5 weeks so I was worried as to how it would go. The Mr. said I did surprisingly well. I just need to work on closing my clubface so I don’t shank every ball right. In time. It will come. For now, it was just really nice to get out to the range and have some time with Patrick.

Hopefully we can get out to a course soon. There are a couple of short walking courses in our area that we want to go try so I don’t have to play a full 18 on my first time out. I’m hesitant to go play on an actual course with him though for fear it could end my marriage though. Figure I’m probably a 55 handicap right now and he’s pretty much Tiger Woods. Eeerrrr- bad reference. Let’s go with John Daly.

At least he wears cool pants!

Tiger Tiger Tiger Woods Ya'll!

Well, 25 isn't so bad afterall. Turned out to be a good day. (other that the working part but that's to be expected right?) I got my birthday present from P when I got home. He is so great. I really don't give him any ideas or suggestions because from my standpoint, I already have pretty much everything I need and/or want. (wow that sounds really spoiled but you know what I mean) But P's whole thing with gift giving is it must meet 2 criteria. 1. Giftee must at some point have stated they would want it or hinted towards it being something neat to have. 2. Something the giftee probably wouldn't buy for themselves for whatever reason. That being said, I have mentioned multiple times that I have fun going to the range with him. P is a golfer. He loves it, hates it, loves it again. And we do go to the range on occasion and I will hit balls with him using his clubs. Well, no more my good friend! I give you.... my birthday present:


These lovely beauties are real life women's clubs! Graphite shafted and lighter than the steel shaft clubs that P has. And they are purple! Oooh the icing on the cake is oh so sweet. Granted they aren't the primo madonna Pings or Big Berthas or whatever overpriced ridiculous sticks that are out there but they are perfect for me (and according to P great to figure out if this is a phase or not) and I love them! And even better, they happened to be cheaper than what he thought so I get some accessories! Thats right, I'm super excited about golf tees, balls, golf gloves, hand towels, umbrellas, oh yes- and the lessons with the golf pro that I'm going to be taking! Sure I've gotten better- I can actually make contact with the ball almost everytime but we shall not revisit the big blowout when P first tried teaching me and I ended up sitting in the clubhouse while he hit the rest of the large bucket that we purchased. Our relationship almost ended there. I kid. I have the sweetest husband and I'm so thrilled with my birthday present I am already looking forward to going to the range after work today to swing them around for reals!

And they have a backpack type thing that I can carry them with on my back to make it easy for me- oh and see the legs?! I won't have to lay it on the ground and get it dirty!!! yay!

Woods, Irons, Putters, Oh MY!