Shoes, the beach, and free stuff

Last Thursday I posted an old photo of my sister and I on instagram...So I'm sorry if this is a repeat for you. I love this picture, we look so young [and skinny]! It was taken Thanksgiving 2001. [I still have those pants, too. Someday I will wear them!]

Today my Ty guy is home sick...really sick. He had a fever this morning, no voice, and has a barking cough that sounds like that of an 80 year old smoker. We always know when Ty is sick because he's calmer. Not his typical bouncy, bright eyed, loud self. He's laid out on the couch moaning right now, which is like a knife through my heart because I can't make him instantly better. I'm sure everyone feels this way when your kids are sick...you're so helpless it's gut wrenching to see them miserable. So he's on motrin, mucinex, and cough drops today...with lots of water! I hope he feels better soon!

As I said I would...I drove to Salinas on Thursday [it's about a 30 minute drive from home] to be fitted for new running shoes. When I got to Dick's, no one was around to help. So I fitted myself. I tested different shoes out on their treadmill first...to see how I like them. I found these were the most comfortable, Brooks Adrenaline 12:

I sized up to a 9.5 because a lot of you said they ran a bit smaller. I was hesitant to do this because the 9.5 seemed really sloshy...but I went with it anyway. When I got home I ran 2 miles, and wanted to rip them off my feet! They were too big. And my feet were cramping...I'm guessing from trying to keep them on my feet the whole time. I called the store and asked when their running specialist would be in, and they told me he'd be there Friday from 8-4. So I made the drive back out there, returned the Adrenaline's, and finally got fitted for a running shoe properly.

To my surprise...the specialist fitted me with the Brooks Pure Cadence 2 shoes. People...they feel really strange on. Because they don't have as much sole on the heel under your foot...they push you forward. He said this would force me to run with better posture, and overall would eliminate a lot of the knee and hip pain I've been having lately. We shall see. I have yet to run miles in them...I'm still fighting off this head cold junk. Hopefully tomorrow!

I just thought this was funny...here on the coast public restrooms have these economical toilets...with directions on how to flush. See the middle, to the left of the handle? 

"Coated to protect against germs"

I DON'T THINK SO. You can't fool me...I'm still using my foot to flush that thing. Oh and then the explanation of what #1 and #2 are. Why even use numbers...really. Sorry, to me this sign is just ridiculous. There were a total of 3 of these signs in 1 stall. Wasteful much?

I drove out to the Fort Ord Dunes State Beach in Marina on the way home. To get there, you drive past all of these old crumbling buildings on Fort Ord. It's sad to me to just see all these buildings rot away year after year. A once thriving military base that is now vacant and very eery feeling. We still have a lot of military personnel in Monterey County, because of the Naval Post Graduate School, Defense Language Institute, and Monterey Institute of International Languages. I'm sure there are other sections that I don't know about.

It's a beautiful beach...not a lot of people here even on a nice day. It was really windy Friday...I had to close my eyes while taking these photos because the sand was whirling around all over the place! By the time I walked back to the car, I had sand in my eyes, mouth, nose, and hair...everywhere. It was awful. But worth it, to stand there and listen to those waves crash down right in front of me! 

High tide...there wasn't much beach area today. I know I should learn more about the ocean and tides since we play on the beach the majority of the year...but I don't know a single thing! Not about tides anyway. I know when they're high though, and when it's safe to walk on the beach and when it's not.

This is looking back toward Seaside and Monterey. It was such a beautiful day! Today is much the same, but without wind. But I have my Ty home so I'll be staying put today!

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway! You will receive a Nerdy Pumpkin handmade cosmetic bag, and a Gift Card! Visit the post HERE to enter. You will need to follow me via Google Friend Connect [click on the blue button in my sidebar "Follow Me"], and then follow the Rafflecopter directions. Remember, if you win and you're not a GFC follower, I'll have to draw another winner. So make sure you're a follower of this blog! Thanks and good luck!

Happy Monday :D