Project 365 Complete

On September 26th, I took photo 365 of Ollie for the completion of my Project 365. This was by far my easiest photo challenge, because I love taking pictures of Ollie. She's just so stinking cute that I can't even handle it. The hard part was keeping up on posting pictures. There was one point in the depths of winter that I realized I hadn't posted any photos for a full month. That was a fun afternoon of catch up.

There's a good chance I will turn this photo project into a booklet or a daily calendar thing. And I know I'll cherish these pictures if Ollie is ever not around. But just between you and me, she has promised to live forever and ever (or at least as long as I do), so I think we should be good to go.

Celeb Status

I've got a little D List celebrity on my hands over here!

(Or should be be P {=pug} List?  I'm not sure.)

My little dinky IG account started blowing up Wednesday night, and I realized that one of my recent pics of Ollie girl (or Tooter Butt/Tootie, which I end up calling her 95% of the time anyway, for quite obvious, oft stinky reasons) had gotten posted to the @pugsofinstagram account!  Ever since finding the account, I've been obsessed.  Before I even had Ollie, I would scroll through the account and the #pugsofinstagram hashtag because I just LOVE looking at adorable pugs!

Speaking of my adorable pug (excellent transition Jerbear), I started a new Project 365 a few weeks ago:  365 Days of Ollie.  For those of you who've been following for awhile, I've started Project 365 two (three?) other times, and ended up bored with it and quit.  So far, I'm still having a ton of fun, and it may be because my subject matter is extra adorable and photogenic.  I also think my photography skills have progressed since I first started, or maybe I've just photographed Ollie so much that I'm almost an expert when it comes to pug pics... hah.

Project 365 is pretty straightforward:  You take one picture a day for an entire year.  Danielle did it.  Twice.  Is doing it a 3rd time!  (I think I took you out of my reader because I thought you were done forever, BRB catching up on 140 Henny pics!)  Neal (and his excellent photog skills) has done it as well (again, twice?).  (Link Neal? I can't seem to find it anywhere... :( )  Anyway, it's a lot of fun, but kind of a pain in the @$$ at times.  If you decide to start
1)  Let me know so I can follow you!
2)  Take your camera everywhere! (Or don't if your phone has a great camera, mine are all done on my iPhone)
3)  As the days get short, shoot during lunch times/work breaks/daylight hours.  I got the most bored during my first time because I wouldn't do this, and would end up taking boring, uninspired pics around my apartment.
4)  If you get stuck, look for inspiration.  There seem to be those instagram monthly pic/challenges e'erywhere.  Steal a pic idea off of there and shoot.
5)  Have fun.  That's the whole point, after all.

And if you don't feel like clicking over, but still want adorable Ollie pics, here are a couple of my recent faves.

You fancy, pug.

I can't decide if her big smile is cuter, or if her smooshy sleepy face is. UGH. Presh.

Last Long Run

On my bike ride earlier this week, I saw Miss Angie logging some serious miles.  Over facebook that evening, we lamented that our training cycles are almost done and we have yet to run with each other.  We decided to change that on Saturday when I had 12 miles planned and she had 10.  Yay!  Angie is a seriously awesome runner and a fabulous gal, so I was super excited.


I woke up to some serious stomach issues and hoped that they wouldn't hold us back for the run.  Mental note:  chips and queso break the "no dairy 24 hours before races/long runs" rule.  Idiot.  Anywho, when I stepped outside it was a cold brisk 45 degrees = heaven.  The miles seriously flew by.  We discussed life, our jobs, her adorable kids, her BQ plans (hopefully for the Twin Cities Marathon in October!), our high school running ventures, and a ton of other stuff.  Before I knew it we were a mile from being done, and she suggested I keep going rather than having to stop and then finish the remaining 2 miles on the same route I just ran.  Apparently running + talking is difficult for me, because as soon as we split, my mile times were faster.


I did 12 miles in 1:53:49 for a pace of 9:30.
1. 9:32 
2. 9:33 
3. 9:41 
4. 9:35 
5. 9:31 
6. 9:33 
7. 9:42 
8. 9:37 
9. 9:29 
10. 9:21 
11. 9:22 
12. 8:47




I wanted to update you on my Project 365.  I created a mosaic with all of my photos for August.  Check out that blog if you wish. :)

Also, I got an award from the sweetheart/preggo runner girl Zoe!  To be honest, I'm kind of upset I got this award, only because I've been craving cupcakes since she posted it!  Now if the award came with cupcakes I would have no complaints. :p

This is how the award works:

#1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

#2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. Then inform them that they received an award.

#3. Thank the person who gave this award to you!

#1.  This is a tough question.  There's honestly nothing I would change.  Yes there are some minor things I would probably do differently but every adventure and experience has morphed me in to the lady that I am today.  Lately I've been jammin' out to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream (as I previously mentioned) and the line from the song that I'm obsessed with is "No regrets; Just love."  New motto.

#2.  Susan - Nurse on the Run

Heather - Dietician on the Run

Alyssa - Northland Runner

Jamie - Running and Some Sauce on Top

Heather - Junk Miles

The Angry Runner

#3.  Thanks Zoe for this super cute and mouth watering award. :p