Birthday Snow and Tutus

Never in my life has it snowed on my birthday. Part of this may have to do with the fact that I was a West coast girl until I was 26. The other part is, snow has no place in October. None. It is bad enough that it can exist November through March. That being said, I have no control over the weather. Surprising, I know.

I turned 33 Thursday. That's 396 months, as my lovely friend Liz pointed out. It snowed a bit on Thursday and then we got 3 inches of snow Saturday night. I still don't believe it. I am usually in the "Can't beat 'em, join 'em" camp, so this year I will stop fighting and embrace the snow...for my kids' sake only.

Nate was so excited to see the snow, so I dressed both kids up in their winter gear for the first time this year and we headed into the back yard. Nate mostly threw himself on the ground on purpose and Arielle spent her time falling after every 2 steps. Poor, uncoordinated child of mine.

As if snow wasn't bad enough to wake up to on Sunday, I had a 5k to run. Liz and I did the Monster Dash which ran through downtown Providence. It was freezing and, as you can see, we were wearing tutus. Most people dressed in costumes. It was hilarious to run up behind someone who was running in an ape costume with a fake bum hanging out. This was my 2nd 5k this month. The first one I finished in 28:44 (9 min 17 second pace) and I was thrilled for my first race. This time Liz and I ran together and in the freezing cold, with tutus on, we still finished in 30:09 (9 min 42 second pace). I am happy with that! We are going to train for a half marathon. I know I can do it, but it will be a long road to next August! 

That was my weekend in a nutshell. Next I tackle Halloween and attempt to get a 23 month post in for Arielle before the poor girl turns 2!

The Crystal Ball

I got the opportunity to attend a fundraising dinner on Saturday. My company is a co-sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation's gala, The Crystal Ball. Many of you know I am a scientist, but I don't think I have ever talked about what I work on. One of the drugs my company makes is Enbrel®, which is used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriasis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Most of the drugs my company makes treat debilitating conditions. Basically, you don't want to need anything we make. A 20 year old girl spoke about how she is overcoming her diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis and leading a more normal life because of our drug. I often find I get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of work and sometimes it takes hearing the story of someone who needs our drugs to remind me why my job is so important.

The gala wasn't all seriousness as we got to have a tarot card reading, a few drinks, a lovely dinner, a pretty Swarovski bracelet and of course our "prom" picture. The last time I attended this event was 2008. Same date, my friend Joelle, but we look much better this time around (see for yourself)! I am not usually a girlie girl, but I think deep down we all want to look and feel glamorous every once in a while.



Miss me?

What's that sound? Oh, nothing much, just me dusting off the blog. There was a 2 1/2 month pile on here. Geeze. I wonder how many of you are still here? I could blah blah about why I've been gone, but instead I think I'll show you the sweet faces of my kidlets. You know you've missed them more than me anyway.

The last picture kills me. Where has my baby gone?? Someone has stolen her and replaced her with this gorgeous little girl. She'll be 2 in a month. I will cry giant crocodile tears.

I'm in the middle of a blog overhaul, so in about a week (in dog years) I should have a new pretty space all set up! Maybe it will inspire me to notch out more time to write....and read. I will get back into this. I miss you guys. Winter is coming and bringing the cold with it. I'm a bigger fan of my computer than I am of any winter sports. ;)