MANY FIRSTS ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR!

Succeeded in initiating a new weight loss regime in my life--including regular workout schedules and participating in 5K races. Succeeded in losing 30 lbs, prior to Thanksgiving of course, and becoming the mom of a high school student.

Believe it or not I will have to say my greatest accomplishment may have to be that I have 85 percent of Christmas purchased. As of this morning, everything purchased has been wrapped. You must understand that I normally procrastinate until a day or two before Christmas! This is a MAJOR acomplishment.

My secret pal, at work, bought me a really neat candy bouquet for Thanksgiving. Based off its design I had decided to create a treat bouquet of my own for my secret pal. I purchased a bunch of really cool, non-cheesy looking gifts at the Dollar Tree. Affixed them all to wooden shish-ka-bob skewers and arranged them inside a wicker basket w/ floral foam in the bottom.

It really turned out looking really neat. This year's secret pal has been my most difficult b/c she is allergic to chocolate! Aack! it is hard to be very imaginitive w/o using chocolate. Life w/o chocolate...the only fate I can imagine worse than that is a kid my brother grew up with who couldn't taste. Now that I think about it he was always a very skinny kid--maybe this wouldn't have been such a terrible fate afterall.

In between cleaning house, decorating presents, and baking cookies I have discovered new online games. Two of which I would highly recommend: MCF:Ravenhearst and Travelogue Paris 360. Unfortunately they are too new for me to download on my Real Arcade account so I have only been allowed one hour of free demo time thru Big Fish. I can't wait to be able to do unlimited play. Hopefully it will be available to me on a nice snowy day--tucked into the corner of my couch w/ big comfy socks and lotsa hot chocolate w/ lotsa marshmallows and Il Divo or Jersey Boys playing in the background.

Plans for the holidays are slowly taking shape. Unfortunately we won't be able to spend time with the folks b/c they came home in October. I know it is best for all involved to not attempt to travel during the winter but I am really beginning to miss them. Aunt Eva called to remind us about brunch at my cousin Annie's Christmas Day. It is an awesome tradition that her family has done for years. Once the folks moved to FL they were gracious enough to extend an open invitation to us. This will be Nat's first year at Annie's b/c he has been with his dad's family in years past.

Best Wishes to you and yours during this season of reflection--the celebration of a birth that brought me everlasting life. Take the time, slow down, close your eyes. In your minds eye picture yourself in a stable, feel the hay below you, as you sit on a bale of hay a flawless, innocent infant is placed in your arms. Get lost in staring into the eyes of the son of God. Worship Him. Give thanks to the Father. Give thanks for the obedience of Mary, Joseph, and the Magi. Worship and Adore Him, Christ the Lord.

A NIGHT OF GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!!!!!

Tonight, straight from work, I decided to get some stuff done that I absolutely despise--tub&shower cleaning and oven cleaning! Aack! These chores have been looming over me. I think I would have rather had a bikini wax w/o prior consumption of booze freeze.

Now that they are completed I feel a great sense of accomplishment! As if that wasn't enough to make me feel warm and fuzzy all over I just got an email confirmation for the Indy Mini sign-up!!!!!!!!!Woohoo! I am officially walk/running with 34,999 enthusiasts May 5th @ 7:30 a.m.

Fortunately TNT provides Turner Coach service to and from the race. Therefore, I will not have to rely upon myself for coherent transportation over there. I will be sooo anxious and nervous that I may have to break a cardinal rule--may have to use the bus bathroom! Aack! Speaking of icky bathrooms, I need to start psyching myself up for the porta-potties along the race route.

I am so stoked. I could run around the living room, in circles, w/ excitement. I have to protect my confirmation so no one attempts to steal MY BIB number. Jen, can you hear me shrieking for joy!?!

****TRYING TO LIVE IN SHADES OF BLUSH & BASHFUL****

Something is trying to keep me from participating in TNT and the Mini. A week ago I jammed my toe into a new shade of violet and last night I wrenched my back trying to keep my nephew out of mischief. Trying to hold him, dig my Mini registration forms out of my purse and trying to hold him at an angle to which he wouldn't kick out the glass display counter wasn't a great combination.

When I turned back to the manager to answer her question a sharp pain shot from my left hip to my heal. The rest of the night was excrutiating. Getting in and out of the car was absolute torture. Fortunately, I was able to find enough relief from Aleve to get some sleep.

Trying to get in and out of the shower and dressed this morning was almost comical. I had to actually lay my panties and pants on the floor and step into them. Then I had to lift my right leg as high as I could until I could grab ahold of my pants and pull them on.

The rest of the day was spent sitting with a heating pad and making as many phone calls as possible so I wouldn't have to get out of my seat very often. By the end of the day I seemed a little more nimble. Getting in and out of the car still sucks. Walking is tolerable w/ occassional shooting pains. Fortunately there are no warning signs--if I anticipated them they would be more painful.

I am such an all or nothing kind of person. My biggest fear has been all along that if I don't accomplish this race in the manner in which I perceive it should go that I would just give up. Tonight I was talking to a friend about this "all or nothing" mind set--unfortunately, we do not think there is any type of meds that will help me to live in the non-polar shades of life. My friend Jen and I have decided that we are not all about the shades of gray that the world speaks of. Instead, we have decided to call it "shades of blush and bashful"--it sounds so much more glam.

Tommorow I am going to try and get some laps in at the shopping center during lunch. I am afraid if I favor this injury it will cost more damage in the long run. Maybe this injury is a blessing. I have made no movement for weeks with no intention of doing so until after the first of the year. Now this will at least get me striving toward mobility.

Please keep me in your prayers--emotional stress and now physical stress are really wearing me down.

SO MUCH FOR BEING CAUTIOUS...

This past Friday the temps were absolutely freezing, literally, so I decided against participating in the Jingle Bell. When I went to the bank at lunch time I almost bit the dust b/c I hit a slick spot in the parking lot. At the time I thought it would be best to be cautious--I don't want to have to recover from a broken bone and miss out on the TNT training.

Instead of doing the Jingle Bell me, Nat, Monica (his girlfriend), and Max(my nephew) headed to the mall for some Christmas shopping. Trying to keep up w/ Max was a workout in itself. I was accused of being a grandparent for the first time. When I was trying to buy a big CARS puzzle for Max the sales dude said, "Let me put it in this so your grandson will not see it thru the bag". Initially I was a little offended. People constantly guess my age as late 20's early 30's--I realized it had been a while since I had colored my hair so I made a mental note to get that done asap.

When I left the shop, caught up to Nat, Monica, and Max, I told the kids what he had said. They were mortified b/c they had been standing outside the shop w/ Max in the stroller and they think that the sales dude thought Max was their kid! LOL From that point forward I had to push the stroller--they were so afraid someone from school would see them and think Max was theirs.

So much for skipping the Jingle Bell in an attempt to be cautious. I think I broke a toe this a.m. when I was going downstairs to get my work clothes. I cannot even explain how it happened! It was the most bizarre thing. Somehow I had a toe tucked under and then managed to slip on fleece blanket Nat had thrown down to the laundry and stubbed it but good. By the end of the day I could hardly walk around the ofc. When I got home and took off my stocking I just about passed out--it is SO purple.

Yesterday I actually put the Christmas tree up! For those of you who really know me you know what an amazing gesture that is. So far I have not put andy lights or ornaments on it--I want to see how Ivey Katapookis acts around it. She has not tried to climb it (as far as I can tell). But she has stood up on her back paws to stretch up toward the top of the trunk of the tree. Kim's cat chewed thru the lights on her expensive pre-lit tree two years ago. I am so afraid Ivey will do the same with my cheap un-pre-lit tree.

If she can obstain from climbing or chewing I will attempt to put lights on in a couple of days. I can't wait to get the lights put up--I absolutely love sitting in the dark watching the twinklee lights! It is so relaxing!

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

Tonight was the sign up for the Mini, finally! I have been counting down this day for months. It has gotten me all fired up again. As if that in itself wasn't awesome enough I just realized today that the Jingle Bell Race is this weekend. Friday evening there is this race thru downtown.

The shops downtown stay open late and have all kinds of neat activities and displays going on. It is really artsy--almost like a big city Soho, Broad Ripple, Bloomington, type of celebration.

I had heard of a bonus availablle to TNT members which is very exciting but I hadn't said anything b/c I was afraid to jinx it. Apparently TNT mbrs get free Y memberships for the 4 mths duration of training. Woohoo! I can go back to the gym I like most and not have to give them a dime.

I am so psyched! I could almost take off for a run right now but I am afraid I wouldn't make it far before I collapsed from exhaustion. The last couple of days have been very stressful--last night I literally did not get one ounce of sleep. My body wanted to come home and keel over right after work but there was NO WAY I was going to miss the Mini sign up. Now that that is out of the way my body is running down quickly.

Nite Nite All! Thank you for your love and prayers. Nat and I will make it thru this w/ your support. We are so grateful for each and every one of you and the special talents and words that God has given you. The book suggestion and soap opera suggestion are being taken under serious consideration. I will be sure to give thanks to all of you in the credits. Love Yas!

CALLING ALL GAMING GEEKS!!!

I am in need of feedback. Christmas is right around the corner and I have a huge decision to be making....Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii? Nat has been going on and on for monthes about the Xbox 360--until this evening. He has decided that maybe he would rather get less costly gifts so he can get more than one. If he was to receive the Xbox 360 for Christmas it would have to be a combined gift from me and Memaw & PapPap.

Tonight we saw a commercial for a new game system called Wii by Nintendo. It looks really interesting and it is a little cheaper than the 360. Being completely selfish I like Nintendo b/c they are the folks who make the Donkey Kong games--I am always hoping a new version will come out. Maybe this is my chance to get new DK action.

Right now the game selection for the Wii is pretty limited. Normally we rent the games from the local video store instead of buying them. I need to call and see whether they have the new Wii games yet or how soon they will be.

They are already offering Mario versions of the Wii games. We have always enjoyed playing them together. Well, not really playing them together. Nat does all the work and I give my advice on how to find something or how to get somewhere.

Tomorrow is the big day. The day that this year has been building up to....I sign up for the Indy Mini. I am so excited! I have been feeling a little flu-ee and the pinched nerve in my neck has been bothering me today but nothing is going to stop me. Even if I have to walk into the sign-up vomitting w/ a crooked neck I will be there.

Although I really enjoyed Thanksgiving day dinner w/ the Carvers it just wasn't the same w/o the folks. I just didn't get enough of my favorites. So I have decided my first major meal after the Mini will be my mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Lots of homemade stuffing, sweet potatoes, noodles, and her new cranberry salad I have not yet been able to try. Mom, start planning your meal now and how you are going to have it prepared for when I get home. Of course you will have to accomplish all of this while cheering me on at the Mini--a hundred miles from the kitchen.

Maybe this could be a new family tradition....Thanksgiving in May. It would go along with the cookie making tradition you started for Nat's sake a couple of years ago. Nothing like making Christmas cookies and getting schnockered at the same time! :^) Remember the fun we had Cole?

DOES CROCHETING COUNT AS AN AEROBIC ACTIVITY?

This past week has been a steady flourish of baking, eating, crocheting and occassionally reading. I will be so glad when tomorrow gets here I have been lax knowing that I will be forced into compliance with signing up for the Mini this Tuesday evening.

Thanksgiving gave us the opportunity to visit yet another little Illinois town. We spent it with my very best glamizon Jen and her hubbie Sean in Casey with her family. Jen's mom gave me the full tour of Casey--it was a neat little town. We had a very nice time. Her huge family welcomed us as if we were part of their family. Jen has a nephew that is a little older than Nat and I really thought they would have a good time outside kicking the pig skin around. Instead, they decided that kicking the virtual pig skin around on Josh's PS2 more their speed after consuming their turkey day feast.

Friday, after working 4 hours, Nat and I ventured out on my first ever Black Friday shopping excursion. The Old Navy ads really caught my attention but once we got there I didn't really care for the $10 fleeces they were offering. I was able to get Max's gifts finished. The rest of the day was spent trying to find clothes for Nat's half sister Chelsae.

I was able to find four complete outfits and a couple of jackets for her at the Goodwill. The clothes were all major name brands that did not look as if they had ever been worn. The prices were awesome! I even got a "frequent shopper" card that saved us an additional 25% off. Hopefully her mom will allow her to keep these clothes and not sell them off for alcohol/drug $$.

Nat is making me cookies. A lady I work w/ gave us the easiest cookie recipe ever. You use one box of any kind of cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/2 Cup of oil @ 350 degrees for 13 minutes. He has chosen a devils food mix w/ white chocolate/milk chocolate swirl morsels.

Originally I thought I would use an orange cake mix w/ white chocolate morsels to make "dreamsicle" style cookies; however, Baeslers was out of the orange cake mix. Instead, I have decided to make red velvet cake cookies w/ white chocolate morsels and crushed candy cane pieces for a cookie exchange we are going to be having at work for Christmas. I may even put a little cream cheese frosting on top of them. Doesn't that sound wonderful? Let me know if you have any other cool concoction suggestions.

FLANNEL, FUR, & THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG

What a lazy day!
The weather has been perfect for being a slug. Flannel pjs, flannel throws, big socks, furry friends, my boy back from his dads and watching the old Disney movie. Nat and I are still goofing over this movie after all these years. It is really fun to hear him giggle--since becoming a teen I mostly only hear grunts, sighs, and "whatever".

Unfortunately, I have not been working out consistently for the last couple of weeks. The fitness center has been kind of a bummer. I really miss my old workout at the Y. A friend explained to me last week that my wanting to disassociate from my workouts makes complete sense. I have not reached the level of competition that requires association to better my performance. It was necessary for me to disassociate from the pain in order to stay motivated.

Rather than beat myself up I have decided to take a small seasonal rest. Seems like I have tried to "watch" what I eat every Thanksgiving of my life. This year I am going to enjoy it to its fullest w/ my friends Jen & Sean at her folks in Illinois. It seems as if the "rest" this time of year is pretty common among the bloggers that I keep up on. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is when we signup for TNT (Trained in TH) for the Mini so I will be right back on track again.

MOST KNOW ME AS AN IRISH/GERMAN GIRL....

I am fully convinced, upon reading MARLEY & ME that I am actually descended from Labrador Retrievers. The descriptions that the author gives fit Casey and I both to a tee--I shed far less though.

Workouts suck! True to form I am always too hard on myself. When I was at the Y I could stay for an hour and a half to two hours each time I went. Now I am barely doing a little over an hour. My workouts at the Y did not consist of using free weights--mostly machines. By the time I get done with the free weights I am absolutely exhausted and shaky. Although I did more cardio at the Y I was not pushing myself to the point of exhaustion like I am now. In my mind I can make the new work out better than the old but I don't know that for a fact.

Workouts aren't as enjoyable as they used to be. Unfortunately the fc does not have any recumbant bikes--that was the time I could get a cardio workout and read my books at the same time. Today it finally occurred to me that this lack of enjoyment could work for me. I am sure that the entire Mini is not going to be a piece of cake. I have been forced to 'self talk' my way thru the pain and discomfort. This is a skill, so to speak, that I will need during the race.

As if I don't have enough time in my day for workouts and my reading I have started to crochet again. Kim taught me a new pattern that I am currently using to make a baby blanket for a friend at work. My crocheting has actually helped me to improve on my chopstick skills of all things. I decided to give sushi a try the other evening. I thought it would be a healthy choice--I no like the seaweed paper stuff! Aack! If it weren't for that I would have loved it.

Checking in at the Road Runner website the other day I found out that there is a race this Saturday--I am going to do the one mile fun walk/run as the course consists of many grades b/c it is on dirt paths going thru Hawthorne Park. My intention is to use it as a means by which to train--not going for competition just looking for some variety. Just like adhd labradors I need lots of variety!

LIFE IS GOOD....I'M IN PAIN, PEEING, AND READING A NEW BOOK


Nat is staying w/ his dad this weekend so it's just me and the animals. The teen years have been taking a toll on me here lately so it is a much needed weekend apart.

This morning I met Jen at the fitness center to go thru my new day two routine and lots of cardio and abs. My biceps are so painful--I think he has me using a little too much weight or maybe I'm just a big whiny baby. I spent an hour and twenty minutes at the fc. My plan was to work on my 5 mile time today so I decided to jump right into it. If I had gone home and kicked my feet up I would have never made it back out.

Since I wanted to work on getting my time down I needed to walk somewhere that I knew was exactly a mile--I decided on Deming. My first mile time was horrendous-- Jen had let me borrow her mp3 player and I couldn't seem to get the damn thing to work. Eventually 3/4 of a mile in I got it going. When I hit the 1 mile mark my stop watch said 18:43--ugh! The tunes really helped me to kick it up a notch. I was cracking up b/c the first song to play was FAT BOTTOM GIRLS MAKE THE ROCKIN WORLD GO ROUND. Mile two was much better it was 15:30. Unfortunately, my h2o consumption brougt me back to the car early. There was no way I was going to duck into the bathrooms the park provides.

This afternoon I started reading a book called MARLEY AND ME by John Grogan. It is a non-fiction book about the author's life w/ a neurotic yellow lab. With my neurotic yellow lab by my side I have been cracking up all day. Apparently Casey is normal when it comes to his breed.

Today has been an all around wonderful day. I think the only thing that could top it is if I was a size 6 in the arms of my 6'4 bald man.

NEW PLAN OF ATTACK


Last night I met w/ my new trainer--he has designed a new regiment for me to follow to best prepare me for the Mini. Basically, from here on out, I will be going to the gym every other day alternating upper and lower body strength training. On my off days I am going to be trying to decrease my 5 mile time. Weekends will be spent doing longer and longer walks from now until May.

Today has been a really long day. I have felt really puney--my face has been beet red and radiating heat while the rest of my body has been freezing cold. There have been waves of nausea and a slight achy headache. We got our flu shots at the clinic over a week ago so I don't know what my deal is. I do know for sure that I am NOT dehydrated. Part of my plan of attack is to consume the h2o that I should daily, religously.

I gotta get b/c I have been dealing w/ the "by product" of sucking down large quantities of h2o. :^P

OH THE FUNNY WAYS I MEASURE SUCCESS

Tonight I spent about an hour in the new fitness facility at the hospital--I haven't met with the trainer yet for my personalized workout regime so I am pretty much doing cardio on the eliptcial and the treadmill. The eliptical was a piece of cake but the treadmill kicked my behind! I decided to do sprints on the treadmill--run for a minute, walk casual for two minutes to cool down. That little excercise really got my heart rate up.

The fitness center is located on the fifth floor of a tall bldg. It is really cool b/c all the machines face a huge wall of windows toward campus and downtown. There is a great bird's eye view. Tonight, as the sun set, the cloud formations were spectacular. (when I was doing the sprints I kept thinking I was going to vault myself out over the city)

Getting back in the swing of a gym workout is a success; however, the greatest success for me today was going thru the Burger King drive up for Nat's dinner and not ordering a Mushroom and Swiss Angus Burger. Normally BK is my least favorite place to go but that sandwich looked awesome! Instead a settled for the "close second" choice--cottage cheese and a tomato, woohoo!!!

When we got home tonight the neighborhood was full of little "beggers". This year I chose a few different options for our trick or treaters. Little containers of Play Doh, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, some kind of super sour gummie things (my mouth is puckering just typing about them), and hot chocolate packets.

Tim just called and said that they will be bringing Max over tomorrow night. I can't wait to see what the little stinker butt dresses up as. His favorite shows are Thomas the Train, Handy Manny, and Buzz Lightyear. I better get the batteries charged for the digital camera.

THE DAY HAS COME!

I am ashamed to say that I have not done one ounce of excercise since the Race for the Cure and I have pretty much eaten anything and everything that I have desired. Can't really put into words what has been going on but today it changes!

Thanks to my friend Jen, who can be a real pain in the @$& sometimes (Jen, you know I mean that in the most loving affectionate way possible), I will finally be joining the hospital fitness center. This morning I have an eye appt to keep (aging sucks!) and then we are going to head up to the fitness center to work out and meet the trainers.

Nat has a very special person to meet w/ today. His dad called yesterday and said that he and his new wife had their baby--a boy. Right now I am having a hard time reading Nat's reaction. I think he wants to be excited about the baby but he may be a little jealous and sensitive to his former step mom's feelings. Poor guy--his life was never meant to be this complicated.

Last night Nat went to a birthday party. Originally they were supposed to go to Pumpkin Works (lots of straw mazes and haunted hayride); however, our weather here has been horrible and the little girl's parents decided to by pass all the mud that would be involved. The kids decided to go to a local haunted house which the Humane Society was putting on as a fundraiser.

Nat ended up being the "front" man b/c all the other kids were too skeered. He said it ended up being pretty lame b/c the birthday girl (15 yrs) freaked out and cried and screamed the whole way through. A monster came out of the shadows with a flash light to escort them out. He asked all the other monsters to please not jump out and scare the kids. Therefore, they got a lighted tour straight out the door. That was a $5 well spent.

Tonight Kim and I decided to go see the movie THE PRESTIGE with Hugh Jackman and Christian Bayle. It was AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait to get it when it comes out on video b/c I am sure there is a lot that I didn't catch onto. The story is about two rival magicians who attempt to figure out how the other does his tricks and tries to sabotage the other. Oh My Gosh, I can't say enough. Normally I try to only go to the show when the movies are part of the 5 Buck Club but this one I payed full price for ($8.50) and it was well worth it. I would love to have email discussions about it if anyone is interested.

Thanks for your loyalty to the blog and not giving up on me. I will try to not give up on myself again in the future--hopefully this "funk" I've been experiencing is going to be but a memory soon.

LESSONS LEARNED...

My time at the 5K today was a little slower than the TOP OF THE HILL(47:53). Today my finish time was (49.25). I know that it didn't vary by much but I am still bummed. Not so much about my time as much as not finding out until 10 minutes before the race the my "pre" registration bib(# sheet I have pinned to me) was not intended for competition. Unfortunately the one sent to me was intended for "fun" instead. By the time it was brought to my attention by a member of the WVRR's I was afraid to try and make the switch for fear of missing the start of the race. Next time I will know better.

It actually worked out. Had I been part of the competitive group I think I would have felt defeated the entire time--I probably would have given up. There is no way that I would have been able to stay w/ the competitive pack. I am proud to say that I came in in the top half of the "fun" pack. There were people who were younger and fitter that came in way after me.

Coming across the finish line was really exciting! It actually seemed like a spiritual event. As I crossed the finish line I thought of all my loved ones who have gone ahead of me to Heaven who are cheering me on. One day I will come across the finish line of life being cheered on....Grannie Whistle will be there whistling with her pinky fingers and Paw Paw will be grinning ear to ear w/ that little chuckle of his. The race was on the SMW campus. A portion of the race route took us past the cemetary where the nuns have been buried. This brought me to tears b/c I began to think of Sister Irene Cruz--she was a gentle giant that was a gift to me during my teenage years. She was so petite and delicate but mighty in faith. She'll be there too with her arms open wide.

Today my cheerleaders were my folks, my Aunt Eva & Uncle Bob, and my best friend Jen. Jen even ran the last little way with me! We all had such a great time. In fact, my mom acquired a new guitar thru an auction.

The Ford Motor Company provided the most beautiful scarves as freebies. They were pink with really cool designs in mauve. It was soooo cold that Donnie Bill (my dad) wore one around his neck. I sure hope that mom got a picture of it. The wooly manly man had pink on and seemed to be proud of it.

Panera Bread gave out bagels in the shape of the pink breast cancer ribbon (cherry vanilla flavored). We decided to go there for lunch afterward. It was awesome. baked potato soup w/ a salad. The soup hit the spot b/c I was chilled to the bone.

All of these little event are preparing me for what I need to know and do when the Mini comes around. I can guarantee you that I will have the correct bib from now on.

FAT DOGS IN THE HOUSE

The folks arrived from FL today. They brought Tobey with them--the miniature schnauzzer I got for them about four Christmases ago. Oh my goodness! He is such a chunk. He is so wide that he looks like a foot stool. Poor baby! I have told him that he is going to be an Indiana dog from now on--I will get him slenderized again.

Tomorrow is the Susan Komen Race for the Cure--my first official competitive race. I am going to have my own little cheering section. Woohoo! Hopefully they will be patient enough to wait for me b/c I am sure I will be toward the back of the pack.

So far my strategy is on track. My protein shake is in the fridge--I'm not real into sweets first thing in the morning so I don't know how I will like the double chocolate high protein concoction. All of my layers of clothes are set out. Didn't have a problem finding my gloves and ear covers. Setting alarm clock so I can do a mile warm up before leaving. Heading to bed early! Nite Nite!

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS....

Tonight Kim and I took off for a walk. I knew it was a little chilly but we intended to go the entire 5 miles again. I was afraid I would be sweating w/in a short time so I decided to wear a long sleeved tee w/ a fleece vest. Although we were trucking along it kept getting colder. The boulevard seemed to be covered in shade--what's up with that? Where was that shade when it was 110 degrees this summer?

We walked to Deming Park. Rather than walking a mile thru the park we decided to walk up and down the steep hill that the kids sled down in the winter. Maybe I will have that kick a$$ butt and legs sooner than the two years.

Hopefully I have talked Kim into joining TNT w/ me and walking the Mini w/ me. The other day I started thinking that 13.5 miles could be really boring if I don't have anyone to walk w/ (not counting the other 34,000 people that will be there of course).

I am absolutely chilled to the bone! It is too soon to turn the heat on but a hot bubble bath would certainly be in order!

WE HAVE A PIC!

Woohoo! Thanks to my wondermous friend Jen I was able to finally get a pic posted. It is not a current one but it will do.

This weekend the folks will be here for the Komen race so I will be sure to have them bring their digital camera.

Unfortunately I have not been going to the gym for my workouts as the Terre Haute Family Y has some very questionable billing practices. This week I will be joining the fitness center at the hospital so I am really excited about getting back in the groove. The only real bonus at the Y was the pool. Once my morning swim was over I would leave w/ wet hair--with winter coming up on us it is no longer a necessity.

The cool thing about the fitness center at the hospital is that I can get 4 sessions with a trainer for FREE; whereas, I had to pay a $15.00 fee just to get oriented with the machines at the Y. I really think this time with a personal trainer will get me over this hump of not knowing where to go or what to do next.

Last night I spoke w/ the gentleman who offers TRAINED IN TERRE HAUTE. It is a program that starts up in January and trains over 300 people for the Indpls Mini Marathon in May. I am so stoked! I wish I didn't have to wait until January.

For now I will continue to do lunges down the sidewalk, calf lifts off the porch, and resistance w/ my big red rubber band thingee with handles.

FALL IS MY FAVORITE SEASON!

Today was an awesome day. I packed up my little backpack, laced my shoes, and grabbed Kim to go for a walk. The air was crisp and the leaves were gorgeous.

Normally I take off at a pretty good clip and usually end up in a little pain. Today, I decided to take it easy--no stop watch watching today. Eventually as we continued and my body warmed up I was able to walk much more briskly. We both felt great by the time we got back.

This evening, once Nat got home from a friend's house, we drove the path we took to see how far we walked....I was thinking probably 3 miles tops.....we walked 5.1 miles! I never would have guessed three months ago that I would so enjoy this--even look forward to it.

THE FOLKS ARE COMING FOR A VISIT THIS WEEK!!!!!WOOHOO!!!

I am soooo excited. They will be here for my next race--the Komen Race at SMW for Breast Cancer. Initially I had signed up for that race at just a participation level; however, after participating in the Top of the Hill last weekend I decided to change it to competitive.

Today's workout was somewhat miserable. It was definitely a day where I had to force myself to go. The temps had been extremely cool for the last couple of days. Welp, that ended today. I hit the Indiana trail today with long sleeves and just about suffocated. There was not much shade--my face and nose got pretty burned. My face is still radiating heat as I speak.

The other day I decided to do a search on BLOGGER of the words Indianapolis Mini Marathon and came up w/ tons of interesting folks. It is amazing how cool some of the Blogger blogs are. Hopefully my own blog will become "cooler" as soon as I figure it out. Tomorrow I may need to spend some time with some friends who can point me in the right direction.

SS, we are looking forward to throwing our arms in the air and yelling, "CANDY!!!"