March 23, 2012

New carpet

Jerry and I had to get up early today to get all of the furniture moved out of our living room--a 3-piece sectional, a recliner chair, two end tables, a coffee table, two book shelves, our TV and entertainment center, and a treadmill--for our new carpet.

And when I say 'Jerry and I', you know I really mean 'Jerry', right? I watched, and I tried to help, but I think I was just in the way.

We got everything moved into the kitchen and bedrooms, so our living room was bare. I got really curious while we were waiting for the carpet guys, and I ended up ripping up the carpet myself. I knew our carpet was 9 years worth of gross, but good grief! I'm SO glad that we chose to spend our tax return on carpet. It was badly needed.

I chose to go with Berber carpet, which I really dislike. I just chose it because I know it's sturdy and doesn't get matted down, and it will last a long time. I can't say I love how my new carpet looks, but I do love that it's not gross and it will last a long time. And as far as Berber carpets go, it's not bad.

The carpet isn't done yet, so I can't show you the final look, but I assure you, Estelle is here for quality control, per usual:


I made plans with my dad to go see The Hunger Games today. We went to the noon show, and thankfully, there were only about 10 other people in the theater. I will never be one of those people that chooses to go see the midnight show on the day the movie comes out--because I can just see it the following day without all the teenagers texting and being super loud (yes, I know, I sound old and mean for saying that).

Jessica and her mom went to the show too, so we sat with them. Jessica brought me a Cadbury Cream Egg :)  Less calories and much tastier than popcorn! The movie was actually really good. It followed the book pretty closely, and the only parts they left out weren't all that important. One thing that I loved about the movie is that it periodically showed the gamemakers doing their thing, and talking about how they were going to manipulate the game. The book is all from Katniss's perspective, so you can't see what the gamemakers are up to.

Today's run
When I got home from the movies, the carpet guys were still here, and I had nothing to do, so I decided to go out for a 3-mile run. I was going to skip it this week since I have the half-marathon on Sunday, but I was bored enough to change my mind. While I was running, I was thinking about my half-marathon goal, and I finally made a decision.

I'm not going to go for the sub-2:00 on Sunday. I've been training for a full marathon for the past 10 weeks. My goal for the marathon is to finish--not finish FAST, but finish. So I haven't been doing much speed work at all. I haven't been training for a half-marathon, and certainly not a sub-2:00 half-marathon. When I hit my sub-2:00, I want to know that I worked hard for it.

I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but it does in my mind ;) On Sunday, I'll run an enjoyable 13.1 miles, and probably stick to a pace of about 9:45/mi--which will give me a half-marathon PR, but I won't feel like I'm killing myself to get it.

Then NEXT year, in Indy, I'm going to crush my sub-2:00 goal after training hard for it!

Tomorrow is our monthly Winers meeting. I'm kind of bummed, because I have the half-marathon on Sunday morning. I'm going to go to Winers, but I just won't stay very long and I won't drink more than a few ounces of wine. I'm also going to pick up my race packet with Jessica and Renee tomorrow. Busy weekend!

15 comments:

  1. I saw the movie today too with some work friends. We get to take a half day every 1/4 or so because our job is so rough that they give us a 'mental health' half day. ANYWAY, I agree! It really followed the book well and the few things that were left out didn't really bug me too much. I'm very excited for the next one! You should read "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks - not a typical Sparks book and it's coming to theaters next month.

    I can only hope one day I'll, on a whim, decide to run 3 miles even though I'm running 13.1 on Sunday. ;) Some day.

    Good Luck Sunday! Can't wait to hear about it. I'm happy you decided to just run it and not worry about getting a PR. It's stress that is not needed. Again, good luck!

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  2. Have you been to a movie midnight premiere before? With movies I've been waiting for (usually just book movies like Hunger Games and Harry Potter) I absolutely love going at midnight because the people there are generally the hardcore fans who are REALLY excited for the movie. The theater is usually dead silent throughout and everyone's reactions are perfectly synced. At least, those have been my experiences with Harry Potter and The Hunger Games :)

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    1. I actually have not... I just always picture it to be like going to the theater on a Friday night, when it's filled with 16-year olds who are texting and talking super loud throughout the movie. I always try to go to the weekday matinees for that reason ;)

      Also, I don't think I could stay up late enough!

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  3. I'm really looking forward to being able to say "I'll run an enjoyable 13.1 miles". That line sort of made me giggle! I just got back from running 3.1 miles and it kicked my butt! :-P You really are my idol!

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  4. Our carpet is GROSS too.....really, really gross. We have decided to wait a little longer and get hardwood though. I'm kinda on the fence about berber, but I do agree that it lasts a long time. Looks good so far and it looks like Estelle approves!
    Good luck on Sunday!

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  5. The new carpet looks great!!! Have fun tomorrow and GOOD LUCK ON SUNDAY!
    Oh and thanks for the review of the Hunger Games movie. Like you, I am NOT a fan of crazy crowds so I'm waiting a few weeks before I go to watch. I can't deal with the crazy kids and crowds. :)

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  6. I think the carpet is great! You would be appalled by my LR carpet, but I refuse to get anything new yet.

    My rationale behind NOT seeing The Hunger Games at midnight was the fact that I CAN NOT fathom staying up that late to get to the theater and then drive home at 2am to get up for a regular 5:30am Friday start!

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  7. I, too, used to say I would never do midnight premieres....until we did our first one for the last Harry Potter movie. We did the double feature that started about 9:30. Saw Part One, break, and then the midnight premiere of Part Two. Theater was packed but it was full of great people there for a great show. No obnoxious people, etc. I would so do it again. Totally worth it for the right movie. I just opted not to for this one (Hunger Games), since I didn't know anybody locally who wanted to go with me. We did HP as a family so it was fun.

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  8. I like your new carpet from what I can see. We got new berber at our last house and it held up so well! We need new carpet now in our living area but haven't done that yet. Hopefully soon. I think your decision for the half is good! I am nowhere near your level yet, but I've been running consistently for a year and have gone from barely being able to run a mile in about 14 minutes, to being able to do one in 10:30. I have been training for a 10k, which is next weekend, and I am very excited. I know I am not super fast or anything, but I feel great when I go out and run. I just wanted to say you've been a huge inspiration to me since I saw your page on SP a while ago. I started off weighing 325, and now I weigh 196. I am also a stay at home mom who likes wine, sweets and married my high school sweetheart, so I think we have a lot in common. I look forward to hearing all about the half!

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    1. Elizabeth, it sounds like you're doing great on the running!! And a super CONGRATS on the weight loss--holy smokes! Did you happen to check out the blog post on March 17th about the Ragnar Relay? Sounds like your name is all over that one ;)

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    2. Thanks! I think that would be such a cool thing to do, but it would be very difficult for me to find anyone to watch my kids and to come up with the money to do it. It sounds amazing though. :)

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  9. Two things I have never said, but you so inspire me to (in some form or another - see already hemming)"...and I had nothing to do, so I decided to go out for a 3-mile run." and "...I'll run an enjoyable 13.1 miles".

    But you do inspire me to sprint on my elliptical so I am not a complete hopeless cause.

    But I do always run towards cookies - -but never a Cadbury Egg"

    I cheer you on Marathoniac! Yay!

    Great thing about Berber: Nobody knows how long it has been since you vacuumed (unless there are balls of pet hair... ahem... that never happens at my house!).

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  10. I like the berber carpeting and I too have heard it wears like iron, which is a good choice with your cats and young boys. I know those two species can be very hard on carpet. I bet it smells good too--LOVE new carpet smell! Be sure to post a picture when you get your furniture back, etc. Can't wait to see it.

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  11. I'm so glad you mentioned Hunger Games, as I've been wondering lately (during all the hype season, that is!) if you were a fan like me. I'm a midnight premiere gal, but I'm seeing it again tomorrow, too. And I also made cookies for it, if you want to come see! Here's the link: http://lifesabatch.com/?p=1072

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  12. I can't wait to go see the hunger games next Friday! Aghhh! Your carpet looks great!

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