Taking Back Paula

Trying to take back my life. New Mom. Early 30's. Nurse. Happily Married. Step-Mom.

[ataraxianne]

Poppy: *stabs him*

Casteel:

[morgana0anagrom]

I had so much fun drawing this piece. Characters are Hawke and Poppy from From Blood and Ash by @jennifer_l_armentrout the piece was commissioned by @bookbeau hope you guys will like it xoxo 

[ssardothien]

This absolutely undoes me every single time

From Blood and Ash, Chapter 33

From Blood and Ash, Chapter 39

[insomniac-arrest]

people reminisce about “Pokemon Go summer” with everyone outside together and when the Venom movie came out and everything was cheeky and horny for awhile, and other such cultural phenomena’s

but you know what I think we should take into our hearts again? Neko Atsume

we were all collecting cats like it was our job and giving tips on how to get different sightings. There was no higher purpose, no higher power, only community built upon the tiny furry backs of fake cats.

May we all one day return to the Neko Atsume game in the sky

[takingbackpaula]

HAPPY HAMILTON DAY, EVERYBODY! 🥳🎉🎈💥

If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out. It is so. good.

And if you don’t have Disney+ already, I think they still have a week long free trial, so you can sign up for that and use it to watch Hamilton (and Frozen 2, watch Hamilton again, and then The Mandalorian, if you’re into that kind of thing.)

Welcome to the Room Where It Happens: Hamilton Arrives on Disney+ July 3 | Playbill

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is now available to stream.

[takingbackpaula]

After months of living with multiple gray paint swatches on various walls, we have finally found/chosen/agreed upon THE ONE. 🎉🥳🎉 Who knew it would take so much effort to find the perfect boring ol’ gray. (Also, my husband has a lot of opinions for someone who tells me I can do whatever I want [to the house] cuz he doesn’t care. 😂)

[takingbackpaula]

I hate doing dishes. All my good knives were already dirty, and I still needed to mince cilantro. It’s not pretty, but the pizza cutter was up to the task. Just FYI if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. 👩‍🍳

[takingbackpaula]

Wow wow wow.

Doesn’t life look different for all of us since I last posted (in December!)

Going to try to catch up with all of you and maybe do a post of my own one of these days too.

[takingbackpaula]

I did the Frosty 5k yesterday. 🥶 Official Time was 51:07. 😖 Not great. BUT. I finished. And I did it pushing 2 babies in a stroller. 🏃🏻‍♀️

I borrowed the stroller from a friend. Putting a double jogging stroller on my wish list for Christmas.

[takingbackpaula]

I made it to the 8:30 Burn Bootcamp class this morning- and it was my 50th camp! 🙌 I should have hit this mark like 2 weeks ago, but the cold that would not quit struck, so I couldn’t take the girls to the gym daycare. 🤧

At 11 I met up with some friends to run/walk 3 miles. They convinced me to sign up for the Frosty 5k in a couple weeks.

Also, because of them, I’m running the Bentonville Half Marathon in April. It’s my first half since I ran Soaring Wings in Conway back during the tumblr/fitblr heyday.

Meals were a mess this weekend. I’m sitting pretty solid at 205. Hoping the extra cardio is going to help drop me down before the end of the year.

Btw- hi! It’s been forever. Since I’m about to start half marathon training, you might be hearing from me again. I’ll be all, “C25k W1D1 ...” for like the 100th time in the history of my tumblr. 🤷‍♀️

[thereluctantrunnner-deactivated]

Tumblr, Fall Class of 2010.

I miss the “golden era” of Tumblr. For me, that’s the people who joined Tumblr around the time of Fall 2010-Spring 2011.

I miss the days when everyone was traveling to destinations to meet up with a bunch of “randoms they met on the Internet” and had a blast. I travelled to Conway fricking Arkansas to run a half marathon and wore a t-shirt with Zoolander on it. I watched a guy take on “The Burrito Challenge” in which he ate three or something burritos and ran miles or laps (I forget). I enjoyed following along as another guy in California ran six marathons in six months. I donated to St. Jude’s because some people ate a ridiculous amount of pancakes. I ran a Christmas 5k with an introvert and proceeded to eat her pancakes << not an euphemism. We made friends in Chicago…and had a hell of a time running that marathon. We ran and worked out…we put lip sync videos together. I made bad song parodies. We read about a couple of Brits “coming to America”. Wbaw sold some t-shirts. People did epic shit.

If you were not on Tumblr during that era I’m sorry. You really missed out. Sure, people are still doing epic things but I miss a lot of those people. I miss those stories. I miss those people. But like all good things…they have to come to an end. I think Tumblr is a place for people to go, figure some shit out, and move on. It’s like a cross between college and rehab. You come do your crazy shit, talk through it, work stuff out, then you graduate and move on. You may one back from time to time but it’s not the same. You’re the alumnus to a fresh group of people who are “the new class”. They have their own thing and their own jokes…and all we can do is say “remember the time when __________?”

Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic. Maybe it’s that Tumblr has changed. It was easier then. Whatever it is, to me…it’s not the same. I’m not leaving (just yet), but it’s no longer what it used to be.

[x-opher]

I feel like you wrote this in my stead… like you guest blogged for my brain.

Tumblr 10’-12’ was so much a part of life with friends, influence, encouragement, support… I even met my wife from tumblr. (Imagine how that would have gone if we didn’t have replies @staff? It wouldn’t. You could be preventing a future tumblr marriage right now. Insert appropriate ‘for shame’ gif here.)

I can’t say my slow fall from tumblr is because the community has changed so much - it’s not the same as it was and that’s life - but it’s mostly because of me. I’ve changed. I’m not doing my part. I miss the guy I was then as much as I miss all the tumblrs that were a part of helping that me through a tough journey to a place of health and happiness.

To be honest - I need it again. I feel like I’m back at square 1… but it’s different now. I know the path. What’s ahead. The struggle busses to come. The abandoned wagons. The group wagons. The wagons with the little girl raging out of control, down a hill and into the woods. The milestones… it doesn’t make it easier. It’s like beating a game then playing it again on the harder difficulty setting (for my nerds).

While it will be another long, tough journey, it’ll never be as fun as it was circa 10’-12’… making friends and writing peace songs because some tumblrs are tough to win over and going to meet ups to run and never to just get together and hangout and driving hours and hours to hop in a car and drive more hours with people you’ve never met to meet more people you’ve never met yet it all feels like friends you’ve known for years and crazy Boston lady run and jump hug you like it’s your best friend you’ve never met… but maybe it’s time for something new. Not better, but maybe just different and hopefully just as good.

Maybe it’s tumblr. Maybe it’s not. Either way, we’ll always have tumblr 10’-12’. And for what it’s worth for those of you still out there, thanks. It was the best. Let’s do it again.

[mistersmit-deactivated20160615]

I think I was supposed to reblog this a few days ago? I tried to think of something to add but I can’t. It was what it was, is what it is, and will be what it will be. Co-signed. (PS @staff GET IT TOGETHER WITH THE REPLIES/COMMENTS ALREADY).

[dadbod-to-daddy-deactivated2021]

I was too far and too poor (grad student) to attend these great meetups, but I loved experiencing them as part of that community. I miss what was. I’m hoping we might find a way to rebuild some of that (replies would help with that, @staff). Until then, I’m going to keep writing about my fitness journey and about my life. 

[activeinthemtns-deactivated2019]

I’m going to chime in now, since I’ve seen this post circulating over the past few days. 

Class of ‘10-‘12 were definitely the golden years for me. I was getting ready to graduate college, “start a new chapter” by doing TurboFIRE and posting daily “wellness”-es to help everyone in their own ventures.

After reading several people’s posts, I was inspired to start running and eventually train for my first half marathon. In that process I met some “IRL” friends whose friendships are still ongoing, though they have left the tumblr-verse (here’s looking at you: Maggie, Jenn & Emily!) and even Colorado. That hasn’t stopped us from staying in communication and getting visits in foreign countries! 

I got so much support from the tumblr-world in my races: 5ks, 10ks, triathlons and half marathons (even the random zumba and lip sync videos. Look them up on my archive, they’re still there @operation225). Any time I refer to my blog, I refer to you all as my friends ( @nikkiagain, you’ll always be my Fitblr BFF!). Because of the support, I was able to lose 27.2 lbs and finish all of those races. 

Then….VEGAS. I met “the Brits”, I met Devon aka “the girl who ran around the world”, I met and got to run with Michelle and Robb, I partied with Amanda, Alicia, and he-who-must-not-be-named/wtf-happened-to-WBAW, and none of that could have been possible without the love and support that the Class of ‘10-’12 gave me.

I moved to Nicaragua for Peace Corps, had shoddy internet access, and wasn’t able to keep up with everyone as much as I’d liked. Though, I felt like you guys all experienced that with me. I felt you all with me when I ran that 25k and chanted “Let’s go, let go, legs go!” the whole way…a phrase I never would have known without tumblr.

Those were the good ol’ days. I miss them and I want them back. We have built such a strong, supportive community. I get it, people grow up and move on; kind of like Andy in Toy Story 3. I’m not ready to give you guys up. I need you all on my side and have my back to restart my journey.

Class of ‘10-’12: Fitblr Forever!

cc: @staff these shenanigans have got to stop. Bring replies back. Our community is breaking without them

[wineworkoutandwords]

I spent 30 minutes replying to this earlier today and TUMBLR ATE MY POST….

But how I feel about this is important so I am going to rewrite it….

I too was part of the 2010-2011 Tumblr class.  I came to this little piece of the inter-webs because I was virtually training for the 2011 Boston Marathon with @mostlyfitforthebeach.  I originally thought that this would be a place where I would document and track my training progress and to have some accountability from like minded fitness souls who were out here! 

NEVER did I expect what I found here…. 

I did not get to go to Conway, AK and run the Soaring Wings Half but I watched eagerly (and with jealousy) my dash daily (really, hourly) to see what shenanigans the group was up to and virtually lived in the moment by running the virtual half at home! 

I followed @roguewandering with a vengeance as she trained for her first marathon.  Her ups…her downs…her victories…her struggles…they were all something that I identified with as I trained for Boston.  She motivated and inspired me! 

Then I did get to have my first Tumblr meet up – Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half (aka The Strip at Night) where I met @activeinpink, @robbsadventure, @happyfitrunnergirl, @devonrunning, the Brit’s and a handful of other wonderful people…

That did it for me – I was hooked on meeting my virtual friends and family…

I traveled to NYC and ran the most emotional 5k EVER (Tunnel to Towers) and explored the city with @regainingmymoxy, @lindsaydoeslife, @reclaimingmyinnerbamf, @runsforbrunch, @runningforme and sooo many others…

I ran and didn’t finish the 2013 Boston Marathon due to the bombing and this community was a HUGE source of love and support.  I eventually went back with @rookcanrun and @shrinkingmomma and did our Unfinished Business 10k that June and finished the race that the bombers took away from me that day!  And the following year, in 2014, I crossed the finish line HAND IN HAND with both of them again… Tumblr solidarity! 

I have met Tumblr’s at airports ( @stilldavidsgoals ), on Do Life Runs ( @bendoeslife and @runswithpoodle) and runs and races both locally and across the miles…. 

I have watched some of you get married ( @footy-chic & @spartanhusband) and I have watched some of you have the most incredible babies ( @themotherrunner) – I have felt for many of you who have lost friends and loved ones to cancer, illness and old age… 

I could keep going but that is not the point (or maybe it is)... 

What is important is what @mostlyfitforthebeach said – it was really a ‘golden time’ and it will NEVER be the same. We all change, we all evolve, we all go different directions….but here’s the truth:

I miss those times! 

I crave those times! 

I mourn those times! 

[operation225-deactivated2021021]

Like all of you, I miss this era as well. It was pure. The community was here to lift you up, hold you accountable, and pick you up if you fell. It was just that, a community. @staff has taken away the ability to comment and that just shows how far things have fallen. 

What if those of us that remember this amazing time did something to bring it back? What if we banded together to rise up and do our part to rebuild what has been dismantled? 

If you are interested, please let me know. Let US know. 

As far as I know, you can still answer questions. Maybe until @staff gets their shit together, we can come up with a whimsical question to end all of our posts.  

[operation225-deactivated2021021]

@activeinthemtns am I crazy, or would a 10 year reunion for the Class of 2010 be pretty amazing?

As the great Bonnie Raitt would say, “Let’s give them something to talk about!”

[kategoesrunning]

Oh. My. God. Yes!!! Reunion time!!!!! That would be so amazing!

The class of 2010 was literally life changing for me!!! It changed my path. It was amazing. I miss it so much!

**also can’t believe it’s been so long!!!**

[livinglifeinmotion]

All. Of. It. ALLLLL OF IT.

[knitruneatrepeat]

This. All of this. The friends I made. The destination races I had fun at. So much love for these Tumblrs.

Sadly, I, too, am back to square one. But even worse with injury. I need our community back. I need to feel whole with the interweb friends again.

[activeinthemtns-deactivated2019]

I am SO DOWN for a 10-year reunion. Class of 2010 - ROLL CALL.

@thereluctantrunnner @mandabears @roguewandering @thisfearlesslife @devonrunning …et al.

[thisfearlesslife]

OMG I’m in literal tears reading all of this. It feels like I’ve lived a lifetime since those years, where ironically, I probably needed tumblr the most. Not to sound dramatic, but this group of amazing people changed my life in ways I can’t explain.

Should we make a comeback? Miss y’all.

[operation225-deactivated2021021]

For you folks, I’d make a comeback. You can never have enough amazing people supporting you and encouraging you. I’m a better person today because of you all.

[lovehappinessvodka]

Ditto to all the above! John and I (formerly Footy-Chic) joined in 2011 or 2012 (I can’t recall) and met up with a ton of people already tagged on this post PLUS interacted with many others via mail or FaceTime.

I’m getting back into the joy of running and John just got a new pair of running shoes after a long running break for him due to back surgery. If a reunion was crazy enough to happen, we would do our best to be there!

[takingbackpaula]

I’ve been around since the fitblr hey-day, but always a little on the sidelines. I was able to make it down to Conway and do the Soaring Wings half, and loved meeting/seeing so many fitblrs in person.

It definitely was an inspiring time way back when. ❤️

[takingbackpaula]

Friends, I need your help. We are going on a trip to New York City mid-September. Staying near Times Square. Spending time at the theater. What else do we need to do while we’re there? What do we need to see? What should I wear? Any advice and/or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

[takingbackpaula]

Scale Motivation

Down another 2 pounds on the scale this morning.

That kind of movement definitely helps stick to the new way of eating.

I am addicted to sugar. 100%.

Dessert is my favorite food.

We are working hard to cut out foods with added sugars and I don’t want any [fake] sweeteners.

It hasn’t been too bad, though, we’re not too far in yet.

Fruit being unrestricted is helpful, though I see myself using it mostly as a dessert in the future.

Last night I tried mixing PB2 with Fage 0%. It did not go well. Also, PB2 has sugar listed in the ingredients and is technically “processed,” so not exactly what we’re looking for. I bought some natural PB with just peanuts on the ingredient list, so I might try again with that. Maybe use the food processor and throw a banana in as well.

Dinner last night was salmon, brown rice, and broccoli. It was.... bland.... since we’re not supposed to be adding salt. This might be one of the parts of the diet that we modify until we find more herbs/spices that we like and understand how to cook with.

[takingbackpaula]

Quick Check In

Things are going well here, for the most part.

TheMister has 2 weeks left of baby leave.

TheBaby is doing wonderful- she even slept through the night last night.

TheToddler just turned 2. Literally since her birthday she has been a challenge. It’s like a switch flipped. Nothing is easy, everything is a fight. The worst has been eating meals and getting dressed. I’m reading a parenting book. We’ll see if it helps.

TheMister and I have started the Mediterranean diet. We don’t want a diet- we want a lifestyle change that is healthy for us and the girls. This seemed to fit best with our own personal beliefs/theories/research.

We’re also fasting from 7p - 7a. Which isn’t a huge deal, but intermittent fasting may be something we look into more.

And I’m down 3 pounds in the few days we’ve been doing it.

[takingbackpaula]

We’re having some long nights ‘round these parts.

Feeling super guilty for having to lean so hard on TheMister during the day. I am so lucky that he gets 12 weeks of baby leave.

This one doesn’t care to sleep at night- and certainly has no interest in sleeping in her bassinet or crib. We’ve been catching 2-3 hours in a chair or on the couch usually around 3am - 6am.

We go back to the ENT on Tuesday. Hoping for some help/advice/guidance with her excessive spitting up - and to discuss whether it is just from the Laryngomalacia, or if I need to do an elimination diet or consider formula.

[takingbackpaula]

It’s almost been 2 weeks since TheBaby arrived.

2 Friday’s ago I started having contractions.

When we left for the hospital, my contractions weren’t quite 5 mins apart, but they lasted longer and were more intense than I remembered with my previous labor.

We got to the ER around 1am on Saturday morning and contractions were 7/10 every 4-5 mins.

They took me up to labor and delivery, hooked me up to the monitors and IV, and checked dilation. I was at a 4.

Before getting my epidural, I had to take on a whole bag of fluids, which takes about an hour. Meanwhile contractions were coming faster and were closer to 9/10. They checked me again and I was at a 7.

Finally, it was time for my epidural. As I sat sideways on the bed, I had at least 3 intense contractions that made me push involuntarily. He hooked me up and almost instantly my legs started to feel warm.

The nurse put in a catheter and checked me again. I was basically at a 10 and the doctor was waiting in the hall to break my water and start pushing.

My epidural worked wonderfully this time (during my previous labor it only worked on my left side- I still felt everything on the right.) It was too good though, and I couldn’t feel the contractions at all anymore. They had to tell me when I was having them/when to push. Since I couldn’t actually feel what I was doing, I had to focus really hard on pushing effectively.

With the first push, there was some concern, TheBaby didn’t have a good response, so briefly there was a lot of rushing around. They put oxygen on me and the doctor said that she might have to help me get the baby out (forceps, etc.) I pushed again and things seemed fine, thankfully. I pushed for less than 15 minutes and she was born at 3:19am.

TheMister was the perfect coach/support- as always. I gave my parents the option to be in the room for delivery this time. My mom took me up on it, my dad did not. I forgot to tell her to just hang back and be a spectator, but she was fine.

We are all doing well.

TheToddler is adjusting better than expected- not perfect, but it’s going well.

TheBaby sleeps better than TheToddler did.

TheMister starts 12 weeks of baby leave on Monday.

I am looking forward to finding a routine and adjusting to our new normal.

[takingbackpaula]

I Guess This Baby is About Ready

Having contractions about every 10 minutes.

Won’t go to the hospital until we’re at 5 mins or less.

Bags are packed.

Luckily, MIL is home tonight, so she can take the baby monitor and TheToddler won’t be disturbed, if we end up going.

I was sure we’d wait until next Friday and induce.

It seems like this girl has other plans.