This is Halloween

Ooh, October, my FAVORITE time of year.  I love the changing leaves, the cooler air, and.... Halloween!  

October brings out the artist in me.  My poetic, nostalgic side shows up ("Wait Rycee. Aren't you always emotional?" Yeah yeah...) and I begin spewing deep thoughts and craving contemplation time.  I picked up the piano and guitar again and it feels great.  There has always been one prominent musician that inspired me; the first was Vanessa Carlton, where I learned "A Thousand Miles" and played it everywhere.  Then Taylor Swift came into my life, affecting me so much I learned the guitar hoping to play her songs, and I even named my pink Daisy Rock after her.

I was so obsessed that I performed her song after playing the guitar for only two months.  T-Swift faded fast because I found nothing new, unique, or realistic about her songs.  I started writing a lot of my own music, and now I like Sara Bareilles.  I love her cover of "Single Ladies", which is a lot harder to play and sing than she makes it look!  Last Monday, I discovered "Gravity" for the first time, and I have listened to it at dozens of times since.  I love loaded lyrics.  None of the kissing in the rain, I'm-ugly-and-you-don't-notice-me-at-school stuff.  Maybe I'm growing up.

October is also one of–if not THE–best months for running.  Monday night I hit a new PR: 9 miles, which is more than I did even when I was on a private cross-country team back in my pre-teens.  We just studied addictions in my Motivation class, and there was an entire section on exercise and running addictions.  I certainly know all about a Runner's High (I felt it all day Tuesday).  Almost everyone I ran with that night listened to their iPod, and I just couldn't understand it.  I love running for the chance it gives me to clear my mind, focus on breathing, and listen to my body.  It's my meditation.  What do other people think about while running/biking/exercising?  My New Year's Resolution was to run a half marathon by the end of 2010, and I'm proud to announce that I've run approx. 112 miles since I set that goal.  Slow start but I'm making progress!

Finally, October is fantastic because of The Best Decorating Holiday of the Year, Halloween.  Mom just emailed my sisters and me all the pictures from previous years of Halloween.  They are so fun I'm going to put some favorites up.

About 4 months old (I can't believe how chubby I was)

1992: Clown (And yes, Randi was "Grapes.")

Age 4: Raggedy Ann

The other two Minnie Mouses (Mice?) Ages 5 and 17:

Age 6: Cowgirl

1997: Randi and I were 50s girls (look at those bangs...)

6th grade: Dead Cheerleader. I hated cheerleaders so this made me happy.

7th grade: Pippi Longstocking.  Those braids were dangerous...

8th grade: Cleopatra. When I went to school none of my friends recognized me.

I was always proud to come to school and know that my costume was unique.  Thanks, Mom!  Some other years I was the Statue of Liberty, Cinderella, "Blue," and Dorothy.  What am I going to dress up as this year?  I'm leaning towards something now.  I'll give you a hint, it's a character from one of my favorite movies (there are 20 to choose from, good luck!).  And it's NOT a cartoon character!  Happy guessing!  Is anyone else dressing up?   What are some embarrassing or funny costumes you remember dressing up in?  

The Lactose Challenge

I've been struggling with digestive issues for as long as I can remember.  Indigestion and a whole laundry list of symptoms finally did me in and I went to see a doctor about it.  He told me to cut back (a.k.a STOP eating) tomato-based foods, chocolate, citrus, and oh did I mention CHOCOLATE (?!).

 

He gave me a prescription and referred me to a stomach specialist; however, before I have my rendezvous with Dr. Tummy, I have to do the Lactose Challenge:

7 days, NO dairy.  

Then after that long, arduous week is over, I have to sit and drink two full glasses of milk at once "and see what happens."  See what happens??? Uh, Doctor, should I be anticipating a 16-ounce lactose puke?  I really have no idea what to expect, but that day seems horizons away.  I can't conceive of a day without milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, butter, or any other food product with milk in it. 

I'm going to turn the time now to Miss Gratitude, who will list all the things she is grateful for in this new situation.
1. I will soon find out if, for the last 20 years of my life, I've been Lactose intolerant.  Self awareness is always a good thing.
2. At my appointment in two weeks, I'll at least find out something, and soon all the symptoms I've been swallowing down for years will vanish.
3. Thank GOODNESS I like soy milk.  I think I'd rather [insert painful task here] than go a week without cereal. 

I think I might need a support group.  Is there an AA version of PLIA? (You know, Potentially Lactose Intolerants Anonymous)

To those of you who have done this for your whole life and not just a week, I salute you.  I'm still trying to figure out what is considered dairy.  Here goes Day #1!