While I am sitting here in my pajamas drinking coffee, I have the Chicago Marathon on in the background.  Anyone who has read my brother’s book knows that in 1998 I talked my brother into walking the Chicago Marathon with me.  Only one problem, I lived in Chicagoland, and he lived in Des Moines, Iowa.  I was doing the Team in Training program, and every Saturday, whatever I walked, he would walk remotely at home.

I think we only did one long walk together (Charlie was it about 10 miles) near his house.  Other than that, we were on our own with training.  We never were going to run it, through Team in Training you could walk the whole thing.  He was going to get into town the Friday before the marathon.

I think it was Thursday before the marathon that I woke up with a cough.  No big deal, I’ll just take some cough drops and it will go away.  Charlie came into town, and I decided to get into the urgent care center so they could give me something for the cough.  The doctor told me that I had bronchitis!  I said “well give me something because I am walking the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.”  He laughed and said “I don’t even want you going to work on Sunday!”

So I came home in tears.  What was supposed to be a great brother/sister experience,  turned into a solo walk for my brother.  I’ll never forget him coming in the door, barely able to move his legs.  He sat in my Dad’s lazy-boy chair, ate some White Castle sliders and slept for a few hours!  I think he walked it in about 7 hours?  All I know is he has the medal finishing the Chicago Marathon!

I am tracking my friend Meghann today though!  She’s from Florida, and I think she brought the warm weather with her! 😀

It was a gorgeous summer like day yesterday – temps into the 80s!

I made another loaf of bread for breakfast.  Hannah’s favorite part is the sea salt on top 😀

I made a fried egg to go on top of my bread.  Tony made me some spicy oil – I used about 1/2 a teaspoon to fry my egg – so spicy good!

391 calories, 38 carbs, 26 protein, 15 fat and 1.5 fiber

We had yard work to do yesterday.  We took down the sides of our gazebo – I needed Tony’s help because it was full of spider – ew!

For lunch Tony and I had hot dogs from our grocery stores deli – they were so good!  Since I had the deep fryer going I decided to throw my hot dog in the fryer to make a ripper – crunchy goodness, but tender on the inside. 😀

477 calories, 46 carbs, 16 protein, 25 fat and 3 fiber

I have Lipstick Blogger to thank for a new dry rub!   I adapted it a bit, because I left out the onion powder and reduced the amount of cayenne, which was a good thing because this rub was at the top of Tony’s spice level.

Dry Rub

  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

it made a lot!

I used the dry rub on a rump roast and made mashed potatoes on the side.  Look at this weird potato in my bag of potatoes.  I won’t tell you what I think it looks like – you’ll have to use your imagination! 😀

We always pull our beef off the grill at 125 degrees, then let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Hannah just looked at this picture and said “ew!”  I say “yum!”

Stats for Saturday:

  • 1485 calories, 165 carbs, 76 protein, 57 fat and 9.7 fiber
  • no exercise

Hannah and I are going to Chicago today with my Mom.  Unfortunately we have two different train lines, so we are meeting at the train station in Chicago.  We are going to start at Water Tower, have lunch there, then go to Niketown on Michigan Avenue (to spend a $50 gift card I have) and then finish off at my favorite grocery store that I went to at least 2 times a week when I worked downtown, Fox & Obel.  I have a Groupon coupon – I can spend $40 bucks! 😀

What are you up to today?  Enjoy your Sunday!