Author: cheriarmour

This one time….

| cheriarmour

This post will be a random collection of random things and memories I’ve had and jotted down over the last couple of weeks, so bear with me.  Then tell me random stuff about yourself so I don’t feel so weird.

So this one time….

//I got a ticket (this was like a month ago) for improperly wearing my seatbelt.  I always, always wear a seatbelt, but I had a kinda bad car accident a few years back, and I hated the way the seatbelt felt when it locked against my collarbone.  I started slipping the belt behind my left arm, and finally got caught for it a few weeks ago.  That’s bad.  But the cop told me about this clippy thing that I could put on the belt that will lift it away from my chest.  Wish I had known that before I got into the really bad habit of slipping the belt behind my armpit. That was an expensive lesson to learn.

//I’m really sore constantly this week.  I officially am signed up to do my Body Pump cert next month, so in the next month or so, I am going to as many classes as possible to get some cueing hints and to pick up good stuff from other teachers…

//This has been good because I’m getting exposure to one really good teacher in particular, and even though I teach Zumba now, I’ve taken some of her helpful hints and reminders to my class.  I got a compliment yesterday about how this was “one of the best classes”.  Some of the things I remembered to do included providing the class with lower impact options, and walking to the back of the class so I could interact with some of the folks on the back row.  All things you can forget, but can be easily picked back up.

//I’ve stopped wearing makeup to work.  It started a few weeks ago, when I was just too tired.  It’s a combo of being too tired and wanting to treat my skin well.  I’ve started using Proactiv, and my acne has, for the most part, cleared up, so I feel pretty confident going “naked” to work.

photo 2I think people are kind of getting used to it, and will probably be startled when I actually wear makeup one of these days.  For right now, I’m just focused on taking good care of my skin.

//My sister had a birthday last week, which got me thinking about the drama surrounding the day she was born.  Or rather, the days leading up to that day.  Do you have time for a short story?  Our car broke down, my mother proceeds to go into early(ish) labor, my father had to jog to a payphone to call the ambulance (it was like 1990) and they carted my mom away.  The cop drove us home in his backseat.

//Fun fact: by the time my mom was my age (26) she had three kids.  I have three pets.  So there’s that.

Your turn!  Tell me something random!

Errr….Wedding Wednesday?

| cheriarmour

I know it’s not Wednesday.  But you know what, I think you guys can deal with it and forgive me right?  It’s been sort of a crazy week at work (and I promise that once it kind of gets smoothed over I will tell you about it) but rest assured, there is a ton of stuff going on, and I’m sorry if you feel neglected.

So let’s do some catching up.

Numero uno, have you met my favorite song yet?  I heard it like a week-and-a-half ago, and it’s currently climbing the charts, like number 8 on Billboard, and a little higher up on Spotify’s list.  The song is the perfect mix of blue-eyed soul, plus a really sweet reggae feel that I haven’t heard in a while.

Behold ‘Rude’ by Magic! The group releases the album July 1st, and once that happens, I will definitely be looking for their shows. Their lead singer, in particular, is so interesting to look at, and the way he moves is really unique. I just loved discovering new loves!

Wedding Updates + a legitimate dilemma. 

  • I called last week to check on my dress, and to be completely honest, the situation with my dress is cutting it really close, and I’m not comfortable with that, but I really can’t do much about it now.
  • My wedding bands came in yesterday.  I was tempted to go pick them up so I can put them on, but is that bad luck?  Did anyone else “test” their wedding bands and wear them before they actually got married?
  • I’m not sure what I’m going to do about my last name, and I’m actually lost.  Custom would dictate that I take his.  But I like my last name.  In fact, I love my last name.  I love my family, and I love my father, and part of me might mourn the loss of that.  Do I want to keep it completely?  I don’t know.  Do I want to have part of my new husband’s name?  Yes, because we’re a family now.  But I’m not sure how to make that happen.  Please let me know if you have any cool ideas.
  • The invites are sorta ready.  I have the .tif file for them, and I am exploring some printing options for them.  If you will recall, I wanted to have them sent out by now, but things don’t work out the way you want them when you’re getting married.  Learn that, and you will have a really easy time 🙂
  • Me and Austin may have a big (non-baby) announcement soon (calm down), but I can’t tell you yet.

Okay, what’s new with you?  What should I do about my last name? 

All the questions…

| cheriarmour

I had a few posts scheduled today.  But a combo of being really really tired, and really sore meant that I’m going off the schedule, and instead, I bring you the most curious finding I’ve ever made in Kroger.  Like…ever.

So I was at Kroger yesterday with some clients, when I spotted John Cena, in the literal weirdest position I’ve ever seen him in in my life.

photo 1 (11)Now, I actually know who John Cena is because of my deep and undying love for reality television, and I’ve taken to watching Total Divas when it comes on.  In my defense, I really am truly interested in how those girl work out, because their bodies are incredible, and I spend most of the episodes thinking about what my next workout needs to be.

But moving right along – I spotted this box of fruity pebbles with John Cena on the front of the box, looking huge, but also repping “Team Fruity”.  The box demanded that the consumer “Choose your Side!” so naturally, I had to go looking for what choosing the other side would entail.

photo 2 (7)Team Cocoa. With Kyrie Irving.

I have so many questions, so let’s start from the top.

These are all the questions that rain through my mind when I saw these:

  • Firstly, John Cena does a good bit of working out.  I know good and well his ass does not eat fruity pebbles.  Why did he endorse Fruity Pebbles?
  • Why is he team fruity?
  • Why is Kyrie Irving Team Cocoa?  Really?  So many questions here.
  • The only person you guys could get to endorse your lame cereal was Kyrie Irving?  On second thought, that makes sense, because the day we see Lebron on a box of anything but Wheaties is the day the world ends.
  • This is lame.
  • In the marketing meeting, did no one speak up and say, this seems like a very stupid, lame idea to put professional athletes on shitty kids cereal that turns your milk colors?  No one?  Not even an intern?

Just….what?

How I got into running. (National Running Day)

| cheriarmour

So, yesterday was National Running Day, which I celebrated by sneaking in a quick run after work, and then heading over to Fleet Feet to supplement the staff for one of our events, Ladies Night.

10338232_10100333307830413_5297024876603291970_nLiterally, this is one of the fastest runs that I’ve ever done in my life – I actually did it mostly in the rain, and since I live near Crabtree Creek, I also spent a good portion of it running in a puddle up to my mid-calf.  But running in the rain is the best, right?  Makes you feel like a badass.

It got me thinking about how running radically changed my life.  I mean, it partially helped me start this blog, and helped me to accomplish some of the wildest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.  But I’m not sure where I would be or who I would be without it.

I got into running by just trying it.  I would run.  Run a little further.  Then run a little further.  Until finally, I signed me, and a newer boyfriend (now fiancé) up for a Warrior Dash in Virginia.  He drove, we ran, and had one of the best times ever.  And I realized that not only had I done it, I’d done it WELL.  About a year later, I ran my first half, and less than a few months after that, my first full.  And I wasn’t hooked necessarily to the misery that you feel at mile 17, but more to the elation of starting something, and finishing it.

Running brought me:

  • A new body.  My body was fine before.  Good even?  But I feel that my body looks it’s best when I’m in the throes of marathon training, and I’m craving good-for-you foods.  I love the confidence that running has given me in my body,
  • New friends.  Yesterday, when I worked at Fleet Feet, it was so amazing to be around my people.  Beautiful, nice, likeminded people, who just take care of themselves.
  • New experiences.  Ask me two years ago, would I do a 5k?  How about a half marathon?  How about SIX half marathons?  Two fulls?  Ever consider an Ultra or a tri?  I would have never guessed that for myself.  And it makes me wonder what other incredible things that my body can do.

After celebrating this wonderful day (National Running Day), what can some of you guys say running has brought you?  

 

Baby copperhead scare.

| cheriarmour

So I hope you guys got a chance to get out and run in the past few days.  At least, in my neck of the woods, the weather has been pretty beautiful, and the humidity has been bearable, which I need to hang onto, because eventually the heat and humidity here in Raleigh become wholly unbearable.  I can literally recount dozens of times that I’ve felt nauseous and drippy in the heat.

photo 1I managed to squeeze in a very quick 3 miles after a long day at work (can you make some noise if your Monday freakin BLEW) and check out that pace.  For exactly 1/100th of a miles, I ran a 5:27 pace.  I felt like I wanted to die approximately, so I won’t be breaking any world records anytime soon 🙂

photo 2I copped a squat on the sidewalk after, and let Coco run around and get a really good poop in because she told me she was lacking in good poop that day.

So, let’s chat about something really really terrible and awful I ran into her the other day.

SO I was taking a little walk on a rest day last week when I literally ran smack dab into a snake.

Copperhead Snake With Young
via http://piperbasenji.blogspot.com/2013/05/copperheads.html

I wasn’t at all interested in sticking around to see what he looked like or what he wanted to eat for dinner, but Austin, being a dude, was interested and made me look, with my poor eyes at him.  He was a little baby copperhead, just laying around, looking dangerous, and seemed to be getting more and more agitated at the fact that we were staring at him.

“Babe, we should move him so he doesn’t get run over!” <-Austin

Please guys, I love my animals, but I had no interest in helping a baby copperhead cross the street, but Austin, being the sweet pea that he is, let the baby climb up onto a stick, and then kindly escorted him into the grass where he wouldn’t get run over.  Blech, but I get it.

So my runner ladies and gents that do a good bit of running on trails, in grass, or on cool pavement where snakes may like to chill, please, keep your eyeballs open for these guys, because a bite can be an ugly ugly time.  I’m not a snake specialist, but from what I understood from Austin (through my hysterics), your best bet if you get bitten by one of these suckers is to remain really calm (don’t go doing anything to get your heart rate up), and call 911 because they’ll probably get you where you need to go a smidge faster that you can (with your now injured appendage).

Seriously guys, chime in.  Any other tips for beating dangerous critters on your summer runs?

Summer Concert Schedule.

| cheriarmour

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting here with a clearing face mask on.  I was totally gonna take a picture of it for you, but it literally is so scary, I couldn’t do that to you.  So, just use your imagination.

Okay, so not sure if you know, but the summertime is my absolute favorite time for a number of reasons.  Summer nights in North Carolina are ridiculously beautiful, and the best best part about North Carolina summer (not the heat for sure) are the live shows that I’m so looking to go forward to.

So here are the shows I’m looking forward to.

tumblr_mzorblChMz1r85uiyo1_500Paramore @ Walnut Creek – July 22 – I saw these guys once, with the old line-up.  I really liked the new album, and I have always loved the concept of Hayley being the only chick in a really bad-ass band.  SO into it.

john-legend-o

John Legend @ Red Hat Amphitheater – July 30th – I saw him live once time at Duke.  Dude sounds way, way better live than he does in studio.  He’s going to be with Earth, Wind, and Fire, so I’m thinking this is going to be a pretty epic, do-not miss sort of show.
tumblr_mtwi2i344I1rtt08so1_500Gavin DeGraw @ Red Hat Amphitheater – August 5th.  I have seen him live like 3 or 4 times.  He was amazing all of those times, and once told me that I was pretty.  So if you ever try to tell me that I’m not pretty, consider yourself ignored, because what you say doesn’t matter.

tumblr_mtvj5rOBnT1rvcjd7o2_250Demi Lovato @ PNC Raleigh – September 12th.  I saw this amazing chick in February and me and Deb vowed to go again.

I’m really pumped to see all of these shows, but because of our upcoming wedding and me recently tightening my belt when it comes to money-related issues, I may have to forgo a few lattes to makes sure I get to see these shows.

What truly excites me, however, is live music.  I love the way a live band sounds.  I love to hear and feel how excited the crowd gets.  I love to dance like a complete idiot with virtual strangers.  And my favorite thing is to hear the crowd singing a song word for word, fully along with ad libs and all.

Now all of that endless blathering aside, what bands or solo performers are you excited to see this concert season?

The C-Word

| cheriarmour

Last week, I logged into Facebook (let’s be real, my shiz is never ever not logged in), and was really really unpleasantly surprised to see that a few folks that I knew were posting the following to their Facebook timelines.

Screen Shot 2014-06-01 at 8.14.00 PM.jpgI kind of already knew that something sketchy was going on, because the description was in all caps, and the web address ended in a .wordpress.com, meaning that someone, possibly even someone like me, had published a big article, containing their opinions on cancer, but stating them as truth, a truth that they claimed had come directly from Johns Hopkins University.

I investigated further.

Screen Shot 2014-06-01 at 8.12.46 PMThe article contained unsubstantiated claims, ranging from the fact that cancer was fed by sugar, to the super wild, that cancer was caused by nutritional deficiencies. 

Firstly, a friend just lost her mother, and my parents, their friend, to cancer, and it was almost insulting to read claims from some random blog that stated that the cancer that she had suffered from was her fault, and due to a nutritional deficiency?  Do you think that someone that has lost a parent, a sibling, or a friend to this disease really wants to hear it was their fault for eating too much sugar?  Nope.  And secondly, I was baffled at the fact that folks who seemed of normal to above-average intelligence, were circulating something that contained statements made in all-caps, not to mention, it was not in any way affiliated with Johns Hopkins.

So, just to be on the safe side folks, before posting, reposting, or circulating really incendiary info, check for a few things.

  • From where, or from whom is the information claiming to circulate from?  If it’s from a radio station, or from a Facebook group that has a sketchy or offensive name, chances are, it’s no good to circulate.
  • Still not sure?  Check to see if the info is coming from a .gov, a .org, or a .edu.  If it’s coming from a personal blog, (even like the gorgeous and amazing one you’re reading right now,) chances are, Johns Hopkins didn’t circulate the info.  If they did, they research institute in question should be cited clearly in the article.
  • Are there racial slurs embedded within the article?  How about typos?  Grammatical errors?  Don’t repost it, because it makes it look like you’re down with all or one of the above.
  • And finally, if the information affects a large portion of the population and makes some outrageous claim (STUDY FINDS THAT ALL WOMEN ARE INCAPABLE OF READING) use the skills of critical thinking and discernment, and resist the urge to post it.

What’s the most weird/outrageous/ridiculous article you’ve seen circulated recently?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Buzz

| cheriarmour

So, I totally hope you guys had an awesome weekend – I sure did!  It went by way way too fast, and I don’t feel like I got to spend enough time with Austin, but I’m hoping to make up for some of it this week.

So, after I did wine with Matthew on Friday night, and taught Zumba, I headed to the Raleigh Half Ironman expo to grab some cowbells, because come Sunday morning, I had plans to wake up early, cheer on some Half Ironman and Half Iromwomen, and grab brunch with one of my best friends in the entire world.

Let’s review really quickly.  So for those of you who are unfamiliar (cause prior to last year, I was!) with what a Half Ironman is, a Half Ironman (often denoted as 70.3), is a triathlon that involves a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile (whew!) bike ride, and a half marathon at the end (13.1 miles), to top it off.  I spectated last year, and had such a great time, that I went for it again this year.

DSC_0708

We started off by spectating some of the guys that would be considered elite.

DSC_0709

DSC_0710DSC_0711We changed locations to meet up with the Lemons (the cool chickaroos from Lululemon)

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DSC_0717

Caitlin, on the left, was giving out free hugs, and it was really really cute to see folks stop, look really relived, and then go in for a big, sweaty hug.  At one point, she said she had to spit someone else’s sweat out of her mouth (GROSS!!?) but she was an awesome sport about it.

After I cheered and cowbelled for the Ironmen and ladies, I headed down to a carwash closer to the north side that had been revamped, and that was doling out free carwashes.  Since I’m on a budgeting kick, I could not justify paying to wash my car, so I went and got a wash, and vacuumed it out as well.

DSC_0720DSC_0719I’ve got to admit, the part where I put my car in neutral, and just sort of rode along was a little scary, and I’m not sure I’d like to do that again.

And finally, I was inspired by the folks from this morning that I topped this busy day off with a run.

How was your weekend?  

OMG PS ONE LAST THING!!!!!!!!!!  I finally registered for my Body Pump Training – so as of mid-July, I am going to Wilmington to get trained to teach Body Pump.  I am SO excited!!!!  Can you tell by all the exclamation points?

Where is the time going?

| cheriarmour

I’m sitting in my apartment after a full day, and I’m seriously wondering (as I gear up to spectate the Raleigh Half-Ironman tomorrow) where the hell the time is going.

After work yesterday, me and Matthew made a much, much-needed to Coquette, a local french spot where I killed two glasses of wine, and truffle fries.  An amazing way to end the week.

photoAfter that, we headed to Total Wine (cause the two glasses just wasn’t enough), sampled some full-bodied Spanish wines, and I took  a nice bottle home to enjoy by my lonesome while I waited on the man-friend to get done doing boy stuff.

This morning, I headed to teach a Zumba class, met up at Starbucks with some folks for a meeting, and finally, drove down to Durham with my man to pick up some more goodies for the wedding off Craigslist!

By the time all was said and done, it was 8pm, and I’m really wondering how I can squeeze a few more hours of the day.

Today, as you read, I join some friends with a few cowbells to spectate the Half Ironman in Raleigh, and I couldn’t be more pumped!

What did you do this weekend?