Flower Dog Fan Club

Calling All Twilighter Friends - Vote for Jessica Gueco on Reelzchannel.com/twicom!

I normally don't flaunt my Twerdiness so blatantly...no, wait...I do sometimes. 

But, anyway, the Twilight Convention, TwiCon (yes, there is a convention for Twilight-I believe there are several of them...and no, I'm not going-shut your face!) and Reelzchannel is having a contest for a "fan" to go be a correspondent.  I've been enjoying the http://whattheforks.wordpress.com/ blog (it's really funny) and one of the ladies of the site are in the Final 6 for the fan correspondent-and she needs votes! I have actually watched the videos for the other 5, and I actually do like Jessica the best-she's the most interesting. 

Go to http://www.reelzchannel.com/twiconand vote for Jessica Gueco.  You can refresh and vote more than once.  Voting is open through 7/17!!!

coming soon-A 4th of July Recap...with pics!

7/9 Edit:  Jessica is tied for First!!!  YAY!  And, very scarily was in a bike accident: Here is the note from the WTF blog:

Last night around midnight we  got a very scary text from Jess telling us she was hospitalized from a bike accident. From what I understand a biker in front of her collided with a jogger, and she crashed into them as well. Luckily no cars were involved. Her shoulder was hurt and her face is very badly cut up. I spoke to her again this morning and she is completely aware and able to communicate. So, on the upside she is alive, coherent, and she will be back to normal.
If you’d like to send her get well wishes, leave a comment or send us an email and we’ll forward them over to her.

Also don’t forget to keep voting for her because she will be back on her feet soon, and ready to take TwiCon by storm.
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://whattheforks.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/get-well-soon-yoshi/

You can show her love by writing on our wall or emailing us at info@wtforks.com and we will be sure to forward it on to her!

The Lede

Bury The Lede! 

Countdown to Independence Day Weekend!

The countdown to the weekend is officially on!  We have quite a lot going on this weekend-it should be fun!

1)One Mister Ricky Bates will be making the trip from Connecticut to Texas for the weekend. I hope he's ready for the heat!  The night he arrives he might get dragged to a movie :)  We've become those people who see a movie every weekend.

2) My Goal Race, the July 4th 5K/10K at White Rock Lake is on Saturday morning.  I ordered a running shirt I hope gets here in time-it says, "Running is a unnatural act, except from enemies and to the bathroom."  It's funny because it's true :)

Side Commentary: My last post about running was really crotchety-my snark was more bitter than funny!  And, I am SOMEWHAT feeling better about the whole thing.  Last Saturday morning we ran 3 miles (instead of just a timed run) and we started off running right away. I was a little scared of that-but I ended up running the most I ever have.  I was still pretty slow-close to 14 or 15 minute miles-but I only had to take brief walking breaks.  And the first was close to a mile in-which sounds kind of lame-but is kind of a big deal for me.  I was a little sick at the end of it-but after chugging down gatorade and water-I started to feel better.  I was so proud of me!  And, I'm feeling much better about the 5K this weekend! (Side Note-One of the coaches asked about my joining the run/walk group of the half marathon training-I said probably not-but she said that she is the pace leader for the 15-16 min mile group adn that they start with 1:1 run walks, then slowly build.  This is different than the Couch to Half that they're doing-she said they're doing a full run all the time training-which the coach and myself agreed was terribly unreasonable for a "couch" group. I probably won't do either one-but it was still nice to know an alternate exists).  

3) John Russell Bates will also be coming down to Dallas from Stillwater, OK for the weekend with his girlfriend, OBU Julie (Since Charlie found out she went to school there-that's how he refers to her :)).  After the race on Saturday the Bates boys, OBU Julie, and myself will head over to their Dad and Debbie's for a day of visiting and swimming.  This will be the first time all 4 Bates brothers will be together-Charlie, Ricky, John, and Dillon.  It's going to be neat to see all of them together.

4) After a day with the Bates, the night will be spent with the Stewardson-Tobers.  Could be more swimming, beverages, and perhaps some Rock Band?  Bitches Miss Out haven't played together in a while!

The rest of the weekend is up in the air, but all in all-it should be fun!  We'll try to keep being good about taking photos and get some from the weekend!

Molly's Running Cult Status

So, in the spirit of updating more, I thought I'd share an update of my running club experience so far this summer.  It's swiftly coming to an end-we have just another week until our big goal run on July 4th.  So, I've been a sort of runner for 1 month and some days.  And, I guess I can say I don't hate it now.  But that's probably the kindest thing I say so far.  I still don't "get it."  I will admit that a few endorphins have found me-but they don't find me until like 45 min post-run.  I get really kind of hyper and in a good mood for like 90 minutes or so-then I crash-it's kind of like a sugar high.  Which, I guess is some sort of motivation, I guess. But, the running itself is still not very fun.  And, this idea of, "oh no, it's so great-you go out and just clear your head, it's so perfect" is still crap in my not so humble opinion.  I don't clear my head-I still can't stop thinking-"this suck this sucks this sucks how much longer this sucks."  No, wait, I also think, "Who is this psycho lady who keeps running by us barking to keep it up and take big clear breaths?  She seriously needs to get the f' away from me before I accidentally trip her."  Maybe that's part of their plan-annoy us so much we're thinking about how annoying they truly are and not about the running?  Perhaps that's a bit harsh-and there are only 2 people there that irritate me completely-one is an actual coach, the other is a self-assigned coach (I think-she wasn't there the first couple of weeks-then showed up and has steadily gotten more annoying).  Everyone else is actually pretty cool.  I still see no reason to be chatty or attach to anyone-but I'm certainly not as walled off as I was those first couple of weeks. 

Things I've learned so far:

1) The Dallas Running Club is a cult.  First, they want us to wear the same clothes-down to the DRC dry wicking shirts (it was practically mandated that we have to wear dry weave or wicking shirts...they said it was because cotton holds in heat, but I think it's because they didn't want us wearing our interesting and original tshirts since they show our individuality-there is to be none of that!)  They even told us they had some for sale-really cheap.  When someone tried to point out that you get them cheap at Target now, he was cut off and said, no, we have them here.  They want to suck us in to wearing their gear. I won't do it!   Secondly, how they are a cult-they want us to have group think: At first they're like, this is an individual sport y'all, do what's comfortable for you-it's all about you! Which, of course, sucks one in-b/c well, if it's all about me-then that's awesome! But, then about halfway through they say-You have to come to the group runs b/c we are a team people and we all need to be together.  I really am waiting for someone to start chanting, "ONE OF US. ONE OF US."  Maybe that's what they do at the 5K next weekend?  We get a finisher's gift-my guess is it's kool-aid of some sort. 

2) Running in Texas in June is really really really dumb.  There are only 2 times of day that it's possible-butt crack of dawn and very late at night.   Or, as I've taken to-an indoor treadmill.  I'd much rather watch the frat boys and skanky girls strut around our apartment pool drinking cheap beer while random children run around than go outside and feel the heat weighing down on me. 

3) Run/Walkers and Walkers are still totally disprespected by runners.  They might say things like, no no, whatever is best for you.  And, that's great if you need to walk.  But it's in such a patronizing tone I really want to just scream.  Por ejemplo:  A couple of weeks ago we were running as a group at White Rock lake-it was 90+ degrees and humid.  My inhaler ran out-so I was just generally having a crappy run.  I ran as long as I could-with walking intervals in between - but then I just sort of hit a wall during our last 5 minutes-so I chose to just walk the rest.  Lady (the want to be coach mentioned above) is barking at the people behind me that they need to get going (I'm like really, that's your advice on a 90+ day w/ beginner runners?  Really?  Good idea, ass-you get to carry them home.)  Then, I hear, as she runs up closer to me-in a patronizing bark, "THAT'S OKAY IF YOU NEED TO WALK...IT'S GOOD TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UP A GOOD PACE THOUGH!"  She runs on-then says things like , "DON'T BE FRUSTRATED-JUST KEEP DOING IT!"  I looked around-and I'm like, um, who's frustrated?  Don't assume that because we need to slow down in this heat that we feel really anything, about it.  And, really don't tell me I did a good job at doing what I felt like was right?  Who the deuce are you anyway?  She's super annoying.  I finally told her this last week-and that what she was barking at us was in no way helpful. But sadly I don't think she heard me-but the ladies around me did-and they all giggled in understanding.  Or, maybe it was because they thought I was mean and didn't want me to aim it that them?  I'll never know.  Nor do I care.  Wow, I am mean.

So, I've only got a week Running Cult, I mean Club.  Overall I'm happy I did it.  And, I plan to keep running on my own b/c it's a  good habit to have.  But, I think another "Club" is not in my future.

Weekend in Oklahoma - 6/5/09-6/7/09

We have not been so good at updating this of late! I'll try to catch us up a bit by starting with our trip to Oklahoma.

Rather just see pictures instead of read everything below? Scroll to the bottom for a link! 

During the weekend of June 6^th we had the distinct pleasure of travelling to Oklahoma City, OK to attend the nuptials of Scott Jones and Michael Cich.  At this point I'm pretty sure I have seen more cities in Oklahoma than I have in Texas and I live in Texas! It's not a complaint by any stretch-with each new trip I find a newer appreciation for the state.  I used to just see it as a drive-through state from Texas to Illinois.  But, no more!

Charlie took the Friday off and of course it happened to be the day they were pest controlling our apartment building, so we had to leave a lot earlier than planned.  We wasted some time in Dallas looking at some houses we were interested in and ate a craptastic brunch at Waffle House.  Then we spent some time at the Gainesville Outlet Mall-wow, it has really let itself go-there are hardly any stores left.   We stopped at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate stand and talked to just about the grumpiest person in the chocolate biz.  How can someone possibly be grumpy when they work with chocolate? 

We finally made our way into OKC and went to Scott and Michael’s non-rehearsal dinner at a church there in town-I of course am completely blanking on the name (SORRY!).  It was quite fun when Charlie, Marty, and I all saw Michael’s twin come in and do double takes.  None of us realized he had a twin-then when Michael walked in wearing a similar shirt to his brother-we really had our minds blown!  It was fun hanging out with Marty, Mekado, Michelle, et al at our table.  After a while funny and sweet stories were shared by everyone in the room about Scott and Michael.  It was such a good fun energy in the room.  After dinner, some of us headed over to Café do Brasil for Scott’s partay.  It’s an awesome little restaurant bar.  They had really tasty caiparnehnas (I know I’m spelling that wrong!)  Amie and Jason, Scott’s friends from childhood, brought naughty gifts for the bachelor—including penis straws for us all to drink with and a penis garter.   Michelle also had neon bracelets and necklaces for us all to sport and glow.  We were also blessed with Charles’s presence at the bar.  After a few drinks, we headed out to the Park. Charles, Marty, and Charlie went for pizza.  Scott’s cousin was the bartender and he about killed me with one drink-it was a glass full of vodka with a mist of diet coke on the top!  I was breathing fire afterwards.  (Sidenote-Scott-your cousin was freaky hot!).  We eventually moved to the Copa-where much dancing ensued!  We ran into Michael’s party-and while they tried to keep the parties separate-they simply couldn’t!  We merged after a while.  It was such a fun night out on the town!

Saturday morning Charlie and I got up and drove to Shawnee to check out Oklahoma Baptist University.  I’ve only seen it once in a drive-by-but we actually stopped on campus and Charlie took me on a tour.  Not that I went to a big school by any stretch-but I was continuously surprised by things-like the one dining hall!  One dining hall?  I couldn’t even fathom that-we had one in each dorm.   Same with the mailboxes.   But, the campus is beautiful.   After visiting the campus we went to Van’s Pig Stand.  It was soooo very tasty!  We also took a detour through Bethel Acres to see where Charlie’s grandparents used to live.  We found the land they lived on and it was full of remnants of a trailer or something and it was all grown over.  It was sad.  Charlie said his grandparents always kept it really nice.  Whoever owns the land now doesn’t care anymore apparently.  We saw these two mangy crazy looking dogs-they kept coming up to the car.  I wanted to pet them-but I felt a little like that Family Guy episode where Peter sprays Axe all over himself and like every sickly cat comes up to him and he’s like, ohhh, yeah, hi, you’re cute, yeah, you’re cute, but I don’t want to touch you, no, yeah, ew.  They just looked a little like I wouldn’t want to touch them. 

Saturday evening was the wedding.  It was in a park-and the day really could not have been more beautiful.  The sun was shining, it wasn’t too hot, there was a nice breeze, everything was very green.  It really was just the perfect day for a wedding.  The ceremony was sweet and funny (and pretty short-just hows I likes em!).  Oh, and Val was there-YAY! J After the ceremony Charlie, Matt, Karen, and I walked to Scott and Michael’s house for the reception.  First of all – their house is fantastic! I was instantly jealous.  And, they have the perfect yard for such an event-the tables were all outside-and there were twinkle lights in the back.  Our table was Karen, Val, Mekado, and this very nice couple, who we believe were from Dallas, that we never did learn their names, but we enjoyed them very much.  It was a pleasant night of visiting, eating awesome food and awesome cake, and enjoying the outdoors.  After we overstayed our welcome a bit, Karen, Matt, Charlie, and I wandered back to our cars.  Overall it was a lovely wedding and reception.  And, I have to say, I feel officially adopted by Charlie’s friends-I used to worry I’d feel a bit like an outsider-but with each new event, meeting, gathering, party, what have you-I feel more and more included.  It’s really nice since I never did keep any friends from college really (just one Miss Melissa-and that’s it).   And, it was really good getting to know Michael’s friends too.  What a pleasant and funny group of people!

Sunday morning we had to get up and head back to Dallas.  But, we had two detours we knew we had to make:  1^st-Paul’s Valley for lunch and The Toy and Action Figure Museum and 2^nd – The Fried Pie Shoppe.

The little diner we stopped at in Paul’s Valley was so-so food wise-but the waitress we had was just about the genuinely sweetest person.  We went to the Action Figure Museum-and it happened to be Free Sunday-WOO HOO!  We spent a while in there-it was a lot of fun looking at all of the toys and action figures.  We took a buttload of pics-see the link below J  We continued our journey to the Fried Pie Shoppe.  And even though I’m doing low-carb-I totally had a fried pie-a blackberry one to be exact.  Charlie enjoyed a Coconut pie.  (Oh yeah-I cheated at the wedding too and totally ate wedding cake-both cheats were sooo worthit!

So, that was our weekend in OKC earlier this month!  Here are some pictures:

  http://picasaweb.google.com/MollyStewardson/DayTripToShawnee6609#

Best Week Ever (Charlie Edition)

Why has this been the Best Week Ever for me?

a) I got cast in a play, Epic Proportions at Rover Dramawerks

b) Honda SC beat Neaux Skillz 4-1 on Friday night, after they beat use three straight times

c) Molly's feedback after her running club experiences

d) The record player I'm listening to right now

To be honest, it's all of the above... but for the purpose of this post, I'd like to concentrate on D. (Molly bought me a record player for my birthday) For a long time I thought it would be really cool to have a Record Player, more and more bands are putting stuff out on Vinyl and there is a certain sense of nostalgia to listening to something on a record player. (Even if the album is brand new)

Molly got me a few albums to start off with, namely Belle & Sebastian's "Tigermilk". We listened to that first last Monday as we got ready for the day. She also got me Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band's "Outer South". How do I know that my birthday is a big deal for Molly? She had to, against what I'm sure was her better musical judgment, buy something by B&S, and the singer from Bright Eyes. She also got a Wesley Willis album, but I'm pretty sure it was the equivalent of the magazine you buy when you buy condoms so that you can cover up the condoms. Since my Dad, Debbie, and Dylan got me a gift card I was able to add a few more albums into the collection as well.

So that brings us to today. I walked over to Good Records for the first time to buy a record! (Well first time to buy a record in a really long time) I went over pretty sure that I would pick up Iron & Wine's "Around the Well", and I did, but was happy to see that the new Grizzly Bear album, "Veckatimest" was also available, so I ended up with two records. I'm listening to the Iron & Wine first, and it's very good. (B side, rarities, etc.) He cover's the Flaming Lips song Good time for Superman on the album, and it is pretty darn good.

The other piece of relief that I've had is that most albums come with a digital download of the album as well. So I'll have the album at home to listen to, and the digital copy to throw on the old Ipod, for being in the car! 

The record player will go to great use in the near future, as new Wilco and Flaming Lips are due by the end of the summer. So if you are in town and want to stop by, have a drink, be nostalgic, and listen to new music (?), please give us a call!

(Oh, and I couldn't be more excited about the play, It's been 3 plus years since I've acted in a full length play!... more information about that to follow)

Molly joined a running group...say what?!

It's true...Charlie convinced me to join a running group...aptly named, "Couch to 5K" subtitled, "for the sedentary." Okay, that probably isn't accurate-but it is true.  I'm still not entirely sure how or why I agreed to it-probably Charlie's big hazel puppy dog eyes as he told me how fun and cool it was to join one of these groups.  I can't resist those puppy dog eyes.   We've done 2 group runs so far and I've concluded the following:

1) My lifelong practice of only running when chased has not prepared me for this and, 

2) I really hate running. 

But, hope is not lost.   I keep being promised endorphins-and I promise everyone else, mine left a long time ago for greener pastures.  I told Charlie one endorphin might find me when this is all over.  So far, s/he has stayed in hiding-probably doesn't want to get its hopes up.  

Run 1: We are the guinea pigs for this type of running group (the Dallas Running Club typically only does 1/2 marathon/full marathon training) as those of us standing around the parking lot waiting for our instructions discovered. And, those organizing it weren't really prepared for what to do.  They sort of had a plan-but how the plan was executed was different for each "pace leader."  Too many cooks in the kitchen was my impression.  Oh, and they don't speak "couch."  This is a bunch of very experienced runners trying to talk to a bunch of sedentary folks.  Well, that's not entirely true-a good chunk of the group were "injured runners who want to take it easy."  I think the organizers latched onto them-ooh, they know how to run-so let's just talk to them and run w/ them.  And, they did just that-but dragged our sorry sedentary butts with them. They said we'd do run/walks and then they'd "figure out where everyone falls."  I ran for a bit-but then, was like, okay, I might die-so I'm going to walk.  I'd run here and there in between-but I was soooo slow. Which honestly-as a walker-I think it's more comfortable to walk briskly than run really slow-it's more comfortable.  But, I'm trying to become a runner, so I tried to run ("tried" being the operative word). The whole time my endorphins stayed away and Molly bitterness remained-I couldn't figure out why anyone thinks it's fun-it's awful.  Truly awful.  I'm fine walking-that's fun and interesting for me-and I can think about stuff easily.  But running I'm totally stuck in the fact that I'm running..."I'm running...I'm running...I'm running...oh god I'm running...please make it stop...running sucks...I'm running."    So, after Wednesday I was seriously questioning my continuation with the group.  They do support walkers-but I can walk a 5K...I can walk a 10k...I've walked a marathon. So, joining a group to walk is weird.

Run 2 (this morning):  Preface to this morning-We all get an email that basically sums up this: "Wednesday was a clusterf*ck and we know it-we now have a plan of attack to focus on those who truly are beginners.  And, if you're not a beginner, then get the f' out).  Molly: <Sigh of relief>  Disorganization makes me crazy-but their recognizing it and planning to fix it-brought peace to my valley. 

Saturday morning: The alarm goes off at 6am...why?!?!  I drag out of bed a few minutes later, get dressed, pull my hair into a hairscarf and we head out to the mess that is running group.  I had talked my friend Henry into joining-and today was going to be his first run w/ us (he's one of those injured a-holes who's trying to get back into shape after a severe knee injury)---he calls as we're about to park and says, "I'm here, but call me when you get here b/c these people are scary."  I concurred.  Charlie disagreed.  I said it's because you're one of "them." To which he responded, "One of us! One of us!"  shivers went down my spine.   The really good group (aka Charlie's running team) took off ahead of us and the leaders explained how today was going to work-a plan to only focus on beginners (yay!) and how to do that (yay!).  And how not to die, kind of.  They sort of found their "Couch" speak.  But then they wanted everyone to be all cheery and like, "YEAH! Let's do it!"  Well, they do forget they are dealing with the Sedentary.  We generally don't do mornings well and we certainly don't get up early to exercise.  They don't know us at all!  (The poor guy tried like 3x to get us to whoop-he just doesn't get it).  Poor Henry had to be my audience as I commented about the Sedentary-luckily I made some women standing next to me laugh-phew, they didn't think I was too bitter.   But seriously-do not make me cheer.  I will do the run-but let me do it quietly.  And, you should do it quietly too mister leader.  Shut the f' up until 15 minutes in. Seriously. The whistle will do fine when it's time to up the pace. (Okay, maybe I am a little bitter-but those were internal dialogues-I'm not trying to get voted off of their running island-not yet at least). 

But, today did go much better.  I'm still questioning my life as a runner.  I felt much better with it today-but I still hated every second that I was running-however, maybe with time I'll at least get used to it?  My endorphin friend is still in hiding. Perhaps I'll ply it out with some Wii Boxing later?

So, in conclusion, I've joined a running group, I hate running-but I have hope that maybe I'll not hate it with time? And Charlie and I get to do something sort of together fairly regularly (like in the car over to the running start-I'll never catch up to him).  And, if nothing else-it'll give me plenty of fodder for anecdotes for the summer.    

Paige's Baby Shower Photos

This last weekend was Paige's Baby Shower in Corsicana, TX at her parents' house.  It was so pleasant - just the way showers should be-good food, nice people, and no dumb games!!  And she is by far the cutest pregnant woman.  Here are some pictures from the shower:

http://picasaweb.google.com/MollyStewardson/PaigeSBabyShower#

2:05:58

I’ve completed my first running half marathon. Months of training came together yesterday in OKC as I crossed the line, finishing time: 2:05:58. The race was great. Oklahoma City puts on a very nice memorial for the OKC Bombings with this race. And the course was very fun to run.

 

The day started early, 3:50 wake up call, and I met Stacy & Leslie to get on the shuttle at 4:20. The shuttle was late, but we still made it in plenty of time. We missed the 5:30 memorial service, so that we can could into our chute for the race. But we could hear the service, and it was very beautiful. Soon, we had everyone, save Mercedes, from our running group in the chute with us and it was time to start. The race coordinators did 168 seconds of silence in remembrance of the people who perished on April 19, 1995… and then we were off.

 

I wore a throw away over shirt to keep me warm before the race, that I could toss once the sun rose. I wrote on the back: “Hey Ladies my eyes are up here and on the other side” ha,ha… cheesy I know. Anyway, a group of women running behind me at mile 3, not realizing that Stacy was running with me, dared her to slap my ass as she ran by me. She ran up besides me and said, “I’m gonna slap your ass…” and then ran on through. Then we were laughing about it, and I don’t think the women ever realized we were running together, and probably thought they had created a love connection!

 

The course was wonderful. It took us through Bricktown, downtown OKC, and then through some amazing residential areas in OKC. The residential areas were really nice, because a lot of people were outside and cheering us on! 

 

During the start of the race, we had most of us from our running group together, but by mile 7 I was on my own (much to my chagrin). This sadly meant the second half of the race; I was without someone who could pace me… so I just ran. It seemed to work out OK, though I do wish I had crossed the finish line with some of the group. (By the way congratulations to Pat for her PR, Stacy & Leslie for their first half marathon, and to Mercedes, Pam, Andrea, Wendi, and Winnie for finishing!)

 

One oddity, at the finish line, Carl’s Jr. was handing out cheeseburgers. Apparently it’s a tradition. Who knew?

 

Well, now I need to decide if I’m up for a marathon in the fall/winter. We will see. But for now, I reached a really nice goal, and I think I’ll just celebrate that for a few days!

Scott & Michael's Dallas Engagement Party Photos

Today we all gathered at my mom's house to celebrate the engagement of Scott Jones and Michael Cich!  The weather held out and we actually had a fairly nice day weather wise.  And, we had a nice turnout guest wise.  All in all what a pleasant way to spend a Saturday-celebrating our friends' engagement with other friends! :)  Here are some photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/MollyStewardson/ScottMichaelSEngagementParty09#