Lesson Learned

This week we applied for a credit card for the company and couldn't get one. Apparently we had too many lines of credit opened. We were a little perplexed by this and maybe we're just dumb but we found out something we didn't know about credit. Normally I wouldn't be so open about sharing this somewhat private information on the world wide web....but I'm hoping this helps someone else out:

Jake went online to a credit bureau company (Experian or something like that??) and looked up our report for free to figure out what the problem was. What we found out was that most of our credit lines that are open are school loans. No biggie. But there were a few on there that shouldn't have been and stopped us from being approved even though our credit score is well into the 700s (the highest is an 850, they don't typically exceed 825). One example of an open credit line that shouldn't have been there was from Gordon's Jewelers (my engagement ring). When Jake bought it, he paid for it in full that day. This account should have been closed 5 years ago. In fact, all of our open accounts were and are in good standing! These companies like to keep the account open for ten years. What we didn't know was that you must call these companies and close the account yourself. Otherwise they stay open. Since we have closed those accounts everything is all better. Another thing we learned is that you can go to optoutprescreen.com and get yourself off of the lists that send you credit card offers. They send those to after they've checked your score. Get off of those lists!!! They aren't good to be on!! It cuts your score down, no fault of your own and it's a tragic waste of money and paper. Just wanted to share that in case we weren't the only uneducated when it comes to that stuff. Hope it helps someone!!

TODAY'S TRAINING:

5K 29:00

(I'd like to run the Spring it Forward 5k in 25:00 or less.....10 days from now)

Love Notes

Dear Febreze,
How genius were you guys when you hooked up with Bissel to make good smelling vacuum bags? Kuddos to you, thanks for making my house smell good better.

Dear Breyers,
I think you should make your limited edition strawberry cheesecake ice cream a permanent flavor. It would permanently be in my home. It doesn't even have chocolate in it and it is to DIE for. Thank you ice cream scientists for making such a scrumptious flavor.

Those tortillas from Costco that you cook at home,
I'm officially converted and could probably be considered a binge eater after this week.

Dear El Nino,
Thanks for stopping by this month. You are welcome any year you want to stop by. Every 5 years just isn't often enough.

Dear Jillian Michaels,
Although sometimes I think you're uber cheesy, you pump me up. Thanks for kicking my butt the days I'm on the treadmill. That's probably the reason you're rollin' in the benjamins with your job.

TODAY'S TRAINING

5k 27:48

(taking a four day break was not ideal)

This week in pictures:

Jake on a hike with friends Scott and Nate

Roasting weenies at G&G Frys

Playing at G&G Frys

Learning the advantages of being a boy at G&G Frys

Sharing Candy

My stamp project

Experimenting with records

My $2 Goodwill shoes!

The end.

Reality Check

Today I ran outside. And it sucked. And it was freeezing. And I didn't like it.

Looks like I'm gonna have to figure out how to suck it up.

TODAY'S TRAINING:

Couple of miles? Not sure how long?

Ears frozen, Check!

Lucky day

Today was a great busy day. I was not looking forward to it because Jack had a well baby check up and I knew he'd have to get some shots. I didn't know, however, that there would be 4. I made Jake come with me to be the one who sat with him and held him down because I've always been the one to do it and it just felt like it was time for him to have a go at it. And what happens?!.....Jack takes it like a champ. Typical.

Along with that good news, we went to DQ then ate our icecream at the park (It was a BEAUtiful day!) AND I made a stop by Goodwill and found a cute pair of shoes that looked like they were pretty much new and they were also half off!!! They're the ones that old guys wear on sailboats.... I hope that I can pull them off cause they're not typical shoes. But I like them a lot so who cares :)

TODAY'S TRAINING:

5 MI. 47:21

(and it was haaarrd!)

Hey! I didn't sign up for this part!

It seems like recently, a good part of my day is spent cleaning up pee or puke. Cooper has relapsed a little on the potty training and has wet the bed and himself multiple times in the last two weeks. Jack has some sort of reflux problem or a possible lactose problem and has been vomiting, more than normal. Tonight Jake and I were on our way to Lowes and heard Jack start gagging in the back. Then he was hurling, and hurling. It seemed endless for a second! We pulled over to help him out and it was just EVERYWHERE! We were right by a fitness club so Jake ran in to ask for some paper towels. We stripped Jack down in the rain and tried to wipe the gobs of goo out of his carseat before the 10 minute ride home with all the windows cracked. Let me be the first to tell you that I have a pretty strong stomach for that kind of thing and I gagged a couple of times.

Oh the joys of being a parent :)

TODAY'S TRAINING:

2 MI. RUN

16:28

My personality test results

Super interesting! My friend Laura did this and I got curious so here's my results:

ESFJ-

Extraverted 78% very expressed extravert

Sensing 12% slightly expressed sensing personality

Feeling 62% distinctively expressed feeling personality

Judging 1% slightly expressed judging personality

Providers take it upon themselves to insure the health and welfare of those in their care, but they are also the most sociable of all the Guardians, and thus are the great nurturers of social institutions such as schools, churches, social clubs, and civic groups. Providers are very likely more than ten percent of the population, and this is fortunate for the rest of us, because friendly social service is a key to their nature. Wherever they go, Providers happily give their time and energy to make sure that the needs of others are met, and that social functions are a success.

Highly cooperative themselves, Providers are skilled in maintaining teamwork among their helpers, and are also tireless in their attention to the details of furnishing goods and services. They make excellent chairpersons in charge of dances, banquets, class reunions, charity fund-raisers, and the like. They are without peer as masters of ceremonies, able to speak publicly with ease and confidence. And they are outstanding hosts or hostesses, knowing everyone by name, and seemingly aware of what everyone's been doing. Providers love to entertain, and are always concerned about the needs of their guests, wanting to make sure that all are involved and provided for.

Friendly, outgoing, neighborly - in a word, Providers are gregarious, so much so that they can become restless when isolated from people. They love to talk with others, and will often strike up a conversation with strangers and chat pleasantly about any topic that comes to mind. Friendships matter a great deal to Providers, and their conversations with friends often touch on good times from years past. Family traditions are also sacred to them, and they carefully observe birthdays and anniversaries. In addition, Providers show a delightful fascination with news of their friends and neighbors. If we wish to know what's been going on in the local community, school, or church, they're happy to fill us in on all the details.

Providers are extremely sensitive to the feelings of others, which makes them perhaps the most sympathetic of all the types, but which also leaves them somewhat self-conscious, that is, highly sensitive to what others think of them. Loving and affectionate themselves, they need to be loved in return. In fact, Providers can be crushed by personal criticism, and are happiest when given ample appreciation both for themselves personally and for the tireless service they give to others.

What's your personality? Go HERE to find out!

No Turning Back

It's official. I signed up for the race today!! And I'm so darn savvy I found a coupon for $10 off registration. Yay me! I spent a while going through the Seattle Rock n' Roll website and saw lots of cool stuff. It got me even more pumped. Anyone up for a 5k with me? I want to run this one on March 6 (it's a Saturday!) I want to sign up by this weekend and I want a buddy (or buddies!).

TODAY'S TRAINING:

4 MI. RUN

36:41