Stressed...

I think that any post I write over the next few weeks will be called that. Everything in my life is so busy and hectic right now. A recap of the past few days...

I took my first sick day of the year on Friday. I woke up and got ready for work, but just really felt wiped out physically with the beginnings of a sore throat developing. I was concerned that it would just get worse if I continued on full-force, so I decided (for once) that I needed to take care of myself. After all, they are going to have to learn to live without me at work for 2 weeks soon anyway! So, I rested for a bit then took care of some cleaning and other things around the house. My mom also came down from Dallas a day earlier than planned and we spent the afternoon running errands, including a trip to Polka Dots to see what all the buzz was about with their cupcakes. YUM! I had the caramel toffee bites and saved the Vanilla Chocolate Chip for dessert after dinner. We got K the Strawberry Shortcake and Irish Cream. As we were winding down before going to sleep that night, I told K that I really needed that day. It was just what the doctor ordered.

On Saturday morning, we got up early and headed out to Pedernales Falls State Park to meet up with our running group for our long run. Our coach had marked the course for us on Friday night, which also happened to be the same course they were using for the Dark Side Series race later that night. Other than the first 2 miles which were completely boring, the rest of the route was enjoyable. I did a full loop for 8.5 miles then did a shorter out and back to get 12.5 miles total. I had a great run and continued to feel really strong. I probably need to work on slowing my pace though, especially as the distances get longer. After we finished our run, K and I went over to check out the falls. As we were driving back home, I commented to K how much fun that was. I don't know that I've ever really said that after a regular road run.

We got back to Austin with plenty of time to spare before my bridal shower later in the afternoon. The girls did such a great job putting everything together, and we had a lovely time. Congrats to The Enforcer for winning the "How well do you know Melissa and Kurt?" game. She's a champ, as always.

Then, we spent the evening watching the women's marathon while taking care of things for the wedding. It was a long day, and I was pretty exhausted, especially since I didn't get a quality post-run nap. This does not bode well for the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner when I am planning to run 17 that morning (and 10 the day of the wedding).

Even though I was physically tired, my mind was going nuts thinking of everything that has to get done over the next few weeks. I went to bed stressed out and I woke up feeling that way as well. K finally told me that I needed to go run around 9am yesterday. He was right. I had a good 7-mile run on the Greenbelt. I know that running takes up a lot of time, but I don't regret my decision to train for Palo Duro in the months before the wedding. I would have gone crazy by now without that as a stress relief.

Yesterday was busy with a massage, dance lessons, and more wedding stuff. The upcoming week will be just as busy. I'm going to Dallas and Fort Worth for work on Wednesday-Thursday. Thankfully it will only be 1 overnight instead of 2 that were originally discussed. I only have 10 more days when I will actually be in the office until I'm off work for the wedding/honeymoon. That is stressful in and of itself because I have so much to do here as well.

And, then there's the whole preparing to teach my first class next Wednesday! I know it will all get done somehow. I just might lose my sanity in the process.

To make matters worse, I just found out that the applicant who we were looking to hire for the other psychologist position declined the offer. So, my work situation will not improve for awhile, and in fact will likely get worse after the honeymoon. Life just keeps getting better and better!