Why would I leave?

Just two more pictures from Tuesday in Davenport and then I promise I will stop.

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We didn’t leave the house once yesterday (except for when Billy forced me at about 7 pm to go get the mail with him… yes, I was mad because it was freezing outside and I had to walk a total of 40 steps in the 40 degree weather).   I couldn’t think of one reason to leave my house yesterday (besides to the deck to run on my treadmill) because I had everything I needed at home like B &B, tv, chocolate and the couch.

We finally watched the premiere of the Biggest Loser.  I can already tell that this will be my favorite season.  I even have my favorite contestants picked out and Brooke is excited to experience her first season of watching it with us.

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Fast forward 6 hours and many cheez-its later (I am on an orange food kick) and Billy made salmon using this Trader Joe’s teriyaki sauce.  Biscuits courtesy of Bisquick which is one of the many foods that I switched Billy over to when we got married (he used to prefer Krusteaz pancake mix?!?)

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For dessert we hit up our chocolate stash.  Dark chocolate pomegranates and Almond Truffles.  I know my sweatshirt is pretty hardcore.   That sweatshirt is from the race that I dressed up like a piñata for.

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I really want to get in a trail run today because in 16 days I have my first ever trail half marathon and it is probably a good idea to train on some hills and uneven terrain because my treadmill and the sidewalk don’t really prepare me for dirt/roots/mountain climbing/boulders etc that I will be racing on soon.

PS I heard a beautiful rumor about this race:  They offer TRAIL MIX at the aid stations… so much better than orange slices and gu at road races.

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CHECK OUT MY POST ON WOMEN’S RUNNING!!!!!

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Do you wear your race shirts/sweatshirts very often?  Best race swag you have ever gotten?

How far do you live from your mom?

-Exactly 803 miles from each other.

Last TV show you watched?  Those of you that have seen the show Parenthood…. do you think I would like it?  Should we start watching it?

Best chocolatey thing that you have eaten lately?

-Those pomegranate things are incredible!

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94 comments

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Last tv show was the bachelor last night! Love how Chris is a family man! Me and mom live about an hour away… so not too bad! Best chocolatey thing I have eaten lately is a pot brownie from free birds (not made with drugs, just cooked in a pot) It was cooked half of the required time so it was mostly batter. I died.

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OMG I am completely obsessed with those pomegranates. We just finished a bag last night and are already planning our next Costco trip because we can’t go on without them. I just started watching the BL this season and reallyyyy like it so far!

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“(keep in mind that I recently moved away from my mother and I am her favorite child and so it is devastating for her that I am so far away and she needs to see as many pictures of us as possible).” You crack me up every single day. I used to turn orange from eating too many orange foods after school, mainly carrots. My friends thought I was crazy for having orange hands and feet, but I swear I never tanned or anything. Totally natural beta carotene overdose.

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Yes, I totally think you would like Parenthood. One of my shows, so I may be biased, but I know how much family means to you so I really think you’d get hooked.

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You have such an adorable family! Pictures of Brooke make me smile every time :) I picked up a HUGE (seriously, huge) dark chocolate bar from Trader Joe’s last weekend and I’m both happy and embarrassed to say that it’s already almost gone… I’m obsessed!!

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Spelled my own name wrong… woops!

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I am on the NC coast and on October 20th my mom moved to Boulder, CO :( I still have to remind myself that we’re not having Sunday dinner anymore…I drove to FL last month and those choco poms saved me from falling asleep at the wheel – suck on them and the pom tastes like a gummie! LOVE them!

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looks amazing! that is a beautiful pic of brooke!

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Just googled it, I live 677 miles from my mom! Sad. Congrats on the article! :)

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The picture of Brooke with the sun casting light on her face is BEAUTIFUL!! That is definitely a keeper!

Best race swag: definitely an (ugly) gray stocking hat from my last marathon. My ears were freezing because of the temp, and the race organizers were handing them out right at the finish line, even before the medals! Now, that hat is so special because my son wears “mama’s race hat” to preschool every day. Such a fun memory.

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That place looks beautiful! I would have taken a gazillion photos too. And congrats on the article!

I live exactly 561.28 miles from my mom – but she moved away from me. Well, kind of I guess, since I was living outside of the country when she moved but then I moved back and she was gone!

I don’t really wear too many race shirts – just a few tech tees that work for runs, but nothing much else. I can’t think of any great swag I’ve ever gotten. Actually a LONG time ago I got a little pouch that hooks to your pants/shorts and it can hold a key. I still use this when I go for a run and I don’t have any pockets. That’s about it.

Last week I was still on vacation and I managed to watch the entire Season 1 of Smash. I had never seen it before but really like it. That was the last TV show I watched (I’m not counting the horrible Spanish novelas my husband watches all the time and that I am sometimes forced to watch – because I hate them).

Last chocolate thing I ate was a chocolate chip cookie I made. It was yummy.

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I live 1,720 miles from my mom. That’s depressing. You should totally watch Parenthood. It is one of my favorite shows. Just be prepared because it will make you cry. I don’t remember crying too much in the first season but I could be mistaken about that. The most recent episodes, however, always make me cry.

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Oh, my gosh. That photo of Billy with Brooke (third one down) is phenomenal! Love it.

I think hoodies are the best race swag. Except…now I live in a tropical climate. One day, I might insist that we close all the windows and crank the air conditioning, just so I can wear them all. I’ll compromise, and wear each for just an hour, so we only need do this for one afternoon…

I don’t really know exactly how many miles I am from my Mom, and Google maps refuses to calculate that. I can’t figure out why THAT would be, it’s just an OCEAN… But I think that the shortest flight route is 9,533 miles. And they live 59 miles from the airport. So I guess that would be 9,592 miles.

We’d better move on to chocolate, stat, or I’m gonna cry. Last night, I had the most delicious orange-dark chocolate ice cream. This doesn’t exactly make up for missing my Mom, but it sure does help! :)

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That picture of Billy and Brooke is so perfectly precious. What a BEAUTIFUL family.

I only live an hour from my parents but when Tyler gets stationed somewhere who knows how far I’ll end up from them.
I finally watched the Bachelor from Monday night. I wasn’t going to get involved b/c it’s the same caddy drama but it’s Sean… how could I not!

A Lindor truffle. Swoon.

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Brook is too cute!! I wear my race t-shirts to the gym a lot!

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Love all your photos.

I give all my race t-shirts to my husband, and I make sure to get a Large, that way he will wear them to workout.

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I really enjoy your blog I just found it recently. I also read your article for women’s running. I had my first baby almost a year ago and I never thought is get back to pre-preg shape. I signed up for a 10 miler 5 months post baby and it felt amazing to cross that finish line. I had a csection so I can honestly say it often felt like my insides were going to fall out, but worth it to get back into running.

Your pics are awesome and I love that you include so many :-)

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I wear my race shirts to work out in all the time. In fact, I have too many of them and need to get rid of some, but I have trouble parting with them. haha.

Last night I watched the new MTV shows on-demand. I watched Buckwild, Snooki and JWWOW and Washington Heights. I love trashy reality TV. I really like CatFish too.

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Those pictures from Davenport are GORGEOUS!
So cool that you’re doing a trail race – I consider myself at home on trails, that’s the only place I run when I’m in Germany. When I’m in Argentina, I have no choice but run on the streets.

How far do I live from my mother? 8000 miles right now.

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I wear my race shirts to bed all the time!
Nope, I am very lucky, about a 6 min drive :)
Last TV show was The Middle last night, soo funny!
Chocolately thing? Not sure I am trying to give myself a sugar break! So probably was a mint chocolate after Christmas!

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I couldn’t NOT comment on how stinkin CUTE Brooke is. Such a happy baby! Probably because shes got such a happy momma :-)

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OMG I loved your post in Women’s Running… so cute! I don’t have any babies myself but it lets me know when I do I can bounce back into exercising. That’s so amazing!

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Parenthood is one of the best shows on TV – I think you, B&B would really enjoy it. In the past month, I have gotten 2 of my friends hooked on it! They have watched the entire series and are now caught up “live” – I am on season 2 of Friday Night Lights… you and my friend Elizabeth got me hooked on it! SO GOOD. I would definitely put Parenthood on the same level.

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That’s awesome, you were in Women’s Running:) I never wear my race gear – it is never long enough in the arms/torso!
I live like 3 miles from my mom, you would think I see her more than I do, but my youngest brother (of 5 of us) is very special needs, so she has her hands quite full still!
Good luck getting that trail run in today – I did 13 on the treadmill this morning, kind of a rough one at 5:30am;-)

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I live about 200 miles away from my mom…I wish it were just a little closer!
Last tv show I watched was Modern Family last night. That show is easily one of my all-time favorites. It’s always funny!

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Loved your women’s running post! I always enjoy the contrast of your happy go lucky, kind of silly writing style with your serious running knowledge and hardcore PRs!

And I live 92 miles away from my mom:) 60 up the coast of highway 1, and then 32 through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge.

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I needa catch up on BL!

My parents and I used to be across the ocean away (me in the UK, them in Canada), nooow, I’m only about 70 miles since I moved back to Canada!! :D

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Who have you picked as your favorite on the biggest loser?

I live far too far away from my mother as well. 497 miles.

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Love the picture of Brooke and Billy in Davenport!
Trail runs are SO fun! I’ve been enjoying them lately too. Change of scenery is always good!

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Beautiful pictures! and I love Brooks shirt!!! I always love when I get long sleeve race swag, because I love wearing them around the house! I live about three hours from my mom and I hate it! Going home is always my favorite thing to do!

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Congrats on being featured in Women’s Running…such a great article.

And yes on Parenthood. I love that show. Just started watching myself….I was a little skeptical about starting it, but after the first episode, I was hooked. Already on Season 2!!

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I love love love those pomegranate seeds! So good! I live about 2 1/2 hours from my entire family. No fun!

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I love that idea – trail mix handed out for a trail run! Someone was thinking! I don’t wear race shirts very often, usually I find that they don’t fit too well. But I do have a nice long sleeve tech shirt that I got from the Des Moines Half Marathon this year that is really nice! I live about an hour and a half from my Mom.

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Probably the best race swag is my RnR Dallas drawstring backpack…I use it all the time when I teach classes at the gym!

I live pretty close to my mama…well not too close not too far…about 20-25 minutes away.

Beautiful pics of Davenport!

I love BL too…I get so fired up watching it :-)

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I will await your thoughts on Parenthood.. haha I think we have similar taste in TV and I’m willing to let you be the guinea pig on that one :)

BL was awesome, I’m beyond excited that it’s back on!! My sister and I used to watch that show years ago together and we always did sit ups during all the commercial breaks (the rules were no stops allowed until the show was back on). I’ve watched BL since, but it makes me miss her (and having abs haha)

The photo of you and Brooke by the TV is SO sweet! I used to think she looked like little Billy, but I can REALLY see you in her in that pic!

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I live 1,220 miles away from my mom. :(

The last chocolate thing I had were some dark chocolate covered almonds. They were super good but I’m not sure that they were as good as those almond truffles from Costco!

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YAY!!! Congrats on the article in WR =) =) That’s so awesome, J =)
I live 10 miles from my mom and 1.34 miles from my sister. LOL. I know them b/c I’ve run the distances plenty of times before!!!
Don’t stop with the pictures – love them all!

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I love your article in Women’s Running. And, as I mentioned before – just really love that picture of baby running shoes between you and B-Sr. I’m just waiting for the day when I get a message that you three are on the cover of a high profile SPORTS MAGAZINE. You guys are so darn cute!
Don’t ever threaten to stop posting pictures – ever again! ;-0
Love, love, love all of them .. especially the ones of Brooke curling her tongue!
Have a great day.

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I love those chocolate covered pomegranates! Also the blueberries. Parenthood is a little too intense for me because it is dramatic and realistic. Dangerous combination for me!

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I can’t wait to hear how your trail race goes! I ran my first trail race this past fall. It was my farthest run (a 50K) and the trail was buried inches under leaves (in the woods). It was quite scenic, but I fell flat on my face three times due to hidden obstacles. But, I would do it again :)

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I would love to do a trail half marathon some day! I feel fast like superwoman when I run in the woods! :D

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yes!! watch parenthood! it is my favorite favorite show. i have a night every week to watch it with my sister and her hubs and we are all so emotionally involved it that show. I talked about it so much that i convinced 4 coworkers to start watching it and they looove it!

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I love your photos!!

What lens/filter do you use?

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Hi Rebecca! We use a couple of different lenses but the one that captured these great shots from Davenport is this one Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR FX Lens. It has a basic UV filter on it and all of the editing was done by hand in Aperture/Photoshop. Have a great day!

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Thanks Billy!

I think I need to get a UV filter for my DSLR :-) and learn Aperture a bit more too…

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I live 12 miles from my mom. I wouldn’t have it any other way! :) Last show I watched was The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, haha guilty pleasure and I am loving the Bachelor after the first episode. Sean is a winner! I read your article.. great tips for new moms getting back into running!

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My mom is pretty close to you (in Los Altos) and my MIL is either in Cape Town or London, so both of them are pretty far away from me in Chicago. My mom also refuses to be in cold weather, so her visiting until the temperature gets above the 50-60s is pretty slim. If I want to see her, I have to come to CA (okay, twist my arm).

We have some leftover peppermint bark from Godiva that is amazing and I’ve been enjoying a couple pieces each night while I watch Dexter or Top Chef.

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That’s it, I’m moving to Davenport. Want to come with?

You would LOVE Parenthood. It’s such a good show. I cry like every episode but in a good way (sometimes, but sometimes it’s really sad, but either way it’s REALLY GOOD.)

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love your boots in the first picture up top!! so cute!! where did you get them?? i use to wear my race shirts all the time, but now i’ve just switched to my favorite running jacket ALL THE TIME lol. chocolate froyo!!!

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Last TV show I watched was New Girl. LOVE that show!

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The photos are so pretty! The last tv show I watched was Top Chef last night :o)

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My mom lives about 100 miles from me, I see her a lot (at least once a week) because she does all of her grocery shopping the city that I live in and it is awesome!

You would love Parenthood, it is one of the few tv shows that my hubby and I watch together, and we both love it. I second the comment of the above post that I cry at least once an episode because it is soooo good/sad.

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Your family is so dang cute and those photos are beautiful! What kind of camera do you use?

Yes, I am currently wearing a race sweatshirt AT WORK right now..!

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I still need to watch The Biggest Loser premiere. I heard the Crossfit athletes were in it so that must have been really good.

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I love your brown shoes in the Davenport pic! Where did you get them?

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I LOVE your article on Women’s Running! :) YAY!! Exciting!! My best friend just had a baby about 3-4 months ago and she has been struggling getting back into running. I am going to send her this in hopes that it will help her! :) Thanks for sharing!

Best race swag- a really great fun light blue tech shirt with a happy birthday turkey on it for the Drumstick Dash this year! It was their 10th anniversary so they had a “birthday” shirt! It was great and fun to wear on Thanksgiving! :)

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Brooke’s eyes are so beautiful! Love how blue they are.

We were JUST at Trader Joe’s last night looking for teriyaki sauce! I thought they just didn’t carry it, but now I know what to look for! :)

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Such pretty photos! Lindt dark choc with sea salt is the best chocolatey thing I’ve eaten recently- best combo!

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Those photos are gorgeous! Bisquick is WAY better than any other brand of pancake mix!

My Mom lives in SLC and I live in WA – so however far away that is. We live near most of my in laws and most of my siblings though so we have a ton of family around. My kids have 13 of their 16 cousins within a 10 minute drive.

I love this season of the biggest loser, but I’m not a Jillian fan so I wish they wouldn’t focus quite so much on her!

Parenthood – I watched the first season, but they were always yelling at each other and I found it always made me grumpy after watching it, so I quit for the sake of my family. (I did enjoy it though.)

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You MUST watch Parenthood!! I think it’s the best show on TV and it keeps getting better with each season.

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I live 1 hour and 10 minutes from my parents! It’s nice to be so close, but honestly we don’t go down there that much! I try to make it down at least once or twice every couple of months!

I love anything chocolate. The hubs bought Riesen’s the other day and I cannot stop eating them. SO GOOD.

I love sweatshirts, but I am not the biggest fan of hoodies. I kind of feel like they are choking me the entire time!

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i live 530 miles from my mom :(
i LOVE those pictures in Davenport. It’s so pretty there!!

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Parenthood is the best show ever… it’s VERY real so most likely will make you cry but I love it!

I live like 1,200 miles from my mom. :( Too far to even want to know the exact distance.

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I just started watching Parenthood on Netflix last month…and I’ve become addicted. My husband is starting to get hooked as of this week. So yes, watch it!

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My Mama lives about 100 miles away which is close enough for a day trip but not so close she (and Dad) drop in all the time. They are in their mid-70s (I’m 39) and its been great seeing them enjoying retirement.

Last show I watched was The Bachlor. I had gotten away from it for a while because I couldn’t handle all the drama but I don’t know, the dramz has sucked me back in.

Also, Brooke is so cute. I think if I were you I’d spend a good portion of my day just trying to see that happy smile of hers.

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Those pomegranate chocolates look amazing! I just ate a pomegranate (minus the chocolate). As far as sweatshirts are concerned, I have several but I practically live in my oversized Texas Tech sweatshirt!

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I never comment but ALWAYS read. When I saw your Parenthood question, I knew I had to answer. YOU MUST WATCH PARENTHOOD! Best. Show. Ever. I watched the whole first season on Netflix when I was on maternity leave at this time last year, and now I DVR the new season. Be prepared to cry during every episode, but it is seriously great. (And I love Lauren Graham from her Gilmore Girls days.)

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Yes watch Parenthood it is a great show. Then get sucked into 24 – there are 8 seasons to keep you going forever!

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I live in Texas, my mom lives in California. We moved from California when my daughter was three months. It was tragic and I miss my mom. Also tragic? We have no chocolate. It is making me crazy.

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Awesome article!

I watched the Biggest Loser season premier last night too. I couldn’t believe the one lady chose to go home. I have a feeling this season is going to be pretty great. Who is your favorite?

I haven’t had the pomegranate kind, but I have the chocolate blueberries at home. Now I can’t wait to get home to eat them!

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I see those chocolate pomegranate bags everywhere lately! I really need to pick one up!

Ok, Parenthood is one of the best shows I’ve ever been addicted to, hands down. Especially now that you have little Brooke..the show is ALL about family and the struggles people face. It can be dramatic, hilarious, romantic, and super emotional all at the same time. Let us know if you start watching it!!

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Do I wear race shirts??? Are you kidding me??? Why else does one sign up for a race?? I wear them every chance I get and a great swag is a surefire way to get me to sign up for a particular race!!!
I live about 1.2 miles away from my mom. Just perfect for a warm-up or cool down mile.
The last show I watched was unfortunately The Bachelor….I was flipping between that and The Biggest Loser and got sucked into it. I haven’t watched it in several seasons andI was reminded of just why that is about three minutes after watching. I. just. couldn’t. turn. the channel. As a hairdresser from Michigan, sincerely hoping that the gal who was a hairdresser from MI on there,that got let go, doesn’t ruin the industry for us all!!! =)
All chocolate is GREAT!!! I must try the chocolate pomegranates!!!!

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Okay, first of all.. You HAVE to blow up those first 4 pictures and frame them for your wall. They’re so perfect!!

I only live about 90 miles from my mom..and that seems way too far! :( You for sure need to get your parents to move to Cali STAT!

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Gorgeous pics!!

Congrats on the article, girl! <3

I too love choc pomegranates, so good!

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Janae! Huge congrats on your Women’s Running article. That is hugely exciting!

Second, what program do you use to edit your photos? They look incredible!

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Hey gorgeous girl!!! How did your ice cream eating contest go?!? I use aperture! I love it!

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OMG BIGGEST LOSER! Thanks for the reminder. I think I’ll watch it while treadmilling in my home today :D

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Downtown Abbey. Love it! Also started Biggest Loser – my oldest boy really likes to watch it with me.

My mom lives about 20 minutes away – wish at times she was closer!! Would be handy to have a grocery store buddy and hang out during the day.

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Great post on Women’s Running! I think it was very well balanced and relatable. I live 6 hours away from my mom right now, which is closer than before (14 hours away).
My last chocolate fix was a little Ghirardelli dark chocolate square with salted caramel inside. Mmmmm!

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I live exactly 118 miles from my parents, it’s 118 miles too far. I work 45 mintues from home and since I’m also my mom’s favorite I know she loves the fact that I call her every night on the way home from work and make her talk to me the entire time I’m driving(hands-free on blue tooth of course).

Have you seen Mad Men? I’ts perfect treadmill material.

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I live about 8329 miles from my mom (just found out.) le sigh.
on a brighter note, this morning I put Nesquik (cocoa mix) on my PB-smothered bread. you should try it :)

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Those pics are absolutely gorgeous! Is Brooke smiling constantly??

I live 2 miles from my mom and it is DREAM. She moved to be close to us when my son was born. Best.thing.ever.

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Brookes eyes are AMAZING. So jealous of that girl.

And totally excited about BL too!

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The 3rd photo in the post (the one of B & B) looks SO PROFESSIONAL!!! Brooke’s big blue eyes are breathtakingly gorgeous.

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I too already love the contestants on Biggest Loser this season. Both of the eliminations so far have been devastating (I totally cried).

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Great article on Women’s Running! It was fun to have your energetic, motivating voice digging into the topic in an informative, incriminating way.

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Ooooh. I need to check the DVr for the Biggest Loser. I used to love watching the show and then….. eh. Too much stupid drama. But I love Jillian so I am willing to try it again just to see her :)

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Such beautiful pictures!
My favourite t-shirt is from Run 4 The Kids Melbourne in 2010. I love the colour (its light blue), the cut and the fabric is Dry Fit, so its very comfortable. i’m also very proud of doing that run as it raises money for a children’s hospital.
I live 10 minutes from my mum, so we catch up heaps.
Last tv show I watched was The Big Bang Theory last night. The best chocolate I ate lately was some Haige’s chocolate carame balls. Best chocolate ever and so chewy!

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How far do you live from your mom? Until September it was 1817 miles. Now it’s mere feet.

Last TV show I watched was the Ellen Show. She cracks me up!

Best chocolatey thing that you have eaten lately? My aunt gave us some peanut clusters made locally. They are the best I have ever had and I can’t stop eating them!

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I ate about a hundred of those chocolate pomegranite things last night. SO. GOOD. plus, they’re totally healthy… right? ;)

xo

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Oh those pomegranate things are SO GOOD! I love them so much and they are crazy hard to find around here.

Best race swag? Hmm…I haven’t gotten anything terribly impressive yet but my hubby won a set of bike wheels at his last race. That was probably the best!

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You have such a gorgeous family! :)

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PARENTHOOD IS AMAZING!! I am in love with it. And you got me addicted to White Collar on netflix a while back so obviously we have the same tv taste. Do it.

And your family is beautiful, don’t stop posting pictures

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For the Commitment Day 5K on Jan 1 we got a running/training journal which I thought was pretty cool. I live 860 miles from my mom :( You would LOVE LOVE LOVE Parenthood-MUST be watched with a box of tissues. I double dog dare you not to tear up while watching it. I recently bought some dark covered blueberries from somewhere-delicious!! That close up picture of Brooke is AMAZING!

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