Anything that can go wrong...

It's been an interesting week. Both good and bad...

On the 23rd, as I was gearing up to have my dad's side of the family over for Christmas, I saw that I had gotten a phone call on my work cell phone. From a number I knew was our communications center... so I called the on-call person, and found out that we had had a derailment in North Dakota.

Packed myself up, left my hubby with instructions on what to do for the evening (my parents were going to come help...) and hit the road. The road conditions were terrible. I had a discussion with my parents, and we decided to cancel Christmas.

Has anyone really had to cancel Christmas? Yep. That was me.

But on the upside - the cleanup went really quickly, and I was able to get to my parent's house by 4pm on Christmas Eve (after 6 hours of driving - stopping only once to pee, and once to get gas) to enjoy time with my mom's side of the family. Eric and I had reserved a hotel room for the evening, so when we got there we invited the kids that were there to swim in the pool to expend some of their energy before the evening's festivities. There were 22 people there in all. It was a nice evening, if a bit chaotic.

My husband got me a gift that I really liked: a trainer for my bicycle. So now I can bike inside during the winter!

Christmas day, we were at my mother-in-law's house. Both of his sisters were there, along with aunts and cousins, and my stepchildren. Again, a nice time, but I headed out shortly after dinner, since I hadn't been home in a while. They tried to make me feel guilty for leaving, but since I still had my work vehicle, Eric stayed to be social for a while longer.

The roads on the way home were not fun, but I did get home safely.

Yesterday, my stepdaughter and husband had spent the night, so instead of getting up early to brave the shopping, we had a nice relaxing morning. I really like my son-in-law. He has a good head on his shoulders, and really appreciates my stepdaughter. Unlike her last "husband". Yep. She's 24, and is on her second marriage. I think this one is a keeper!

This morning, still on vacation, I got out of the house at about 7:45 to move my work truck because of the snow emergency. Of course the *^#%* thing would not start. And we are one of the streets that pretty much gets plowed at 8am. So, I called the maintenance service, and got the truck towed away to get it repaired. But not before the snow plow plowed it in. Woo hoo. So good person that I am, I shoveled the snow ridge from the street. Then I came in, and stepped in cat barf. Lovely, but there were 4 different spots this morning. Evidently, he has an upset stomach. And he hasn't even been eating all of the decadent Christmas treats!

And on the scedule for the afternoon, getting the house ready for people to come over for dinner tonight. And laundry.

Just pray that we don't have a derailment.
~a

Banana bread or Biscotti?

It's that time of the year. I have people asking me if it's going to happen again...

Around the Christmas holidays for the past four years, I have been making small loaves of banana bread, and biscotti, and giving them out to the people in my office the day before the Christmas holidays begin. Well, since tomorrow is my last day before I am on vacation until January (WOO HOO), I am bringing in the treats tomorrow. I have 11 loaves of bread, and 14 packages of biscotti all packaged up in holiday treat bags, and ready to grab as I am out the door.

I love Christmas. I love the lights, and the festive spirit, and getting together with friends and family.

Tonight I met up with my running group to do a "Christmas lights" run down Summit Avenue. Not a lot of lights up, but it was a great night, and I was more than happy that I kept up with the people I was running with, with no problem at all. I always feel like I am the slow person in the group. But not tonight. I was right there with everyone.

I don't know what it is, but when I am running on a regular basis, all seems right with my world. Even if I weigh more than I think I should. It's all good. I am strong, healthy, and in shape, and that's all that really matters.

~a

I choose

This has become my new mantra.

I choose. I choose to eat or not eat things. I choose to exercise. I choose to sleep in. I feel so much more in control of things, and much more at peace with things.

Two more days of work until I am off until the end of the year. I am so looking forward to it!

Running has been going pretty well lately. Last week, I met with my running group to run at the Dome on Thursday and to run Calhoun on Saturday. It was about 2 degrees on Saturday morning, but it was still great. I will have to say I am a much happier person when I go running. I suppose this makes me a runner. Scary.

Anyway, just doing stuff around the house getting ready for Christmas. Baking, cleaning, decorating, finishing christmas presents... we are doing the lower budget christmas this year: I am using hotel points for gift certificates for some, and making presents (scarves, mittens, hats, crocheted washcloths...) for others. Plus I got a lot of gifts before Thanksgiving.

The other major thing on the agenda this week is getting out the Christmas cards.

I feel boring, but things are actually going pretty well. I feel at peace, and I had a review with my boss on Friday that made me happy. We'll just have to see what the new year brings!

~a

Yikes

I don't want to have to buy pants. I sat in a meeting last Thursday, hating the fact that a pair of pants that had always been kind of loose on me were feeling pretty snug around my ass and my thighs.

But what am I doing about it? Not much. I did go running on Thursday at the Metrodome - a local running association has it set up so you can run in circles there, for the bargain price of $1, with free parking. My running group is planning on doing that on every Thursday it is open - let's hope I can continue, because I think it's awesome.

I spent the weekend at my sister's house, baking cookies with her and my nieces. I think we ended up with about 20 dozen - Biscotti, Oatmeal cookies, Sugar cookie cutouts, and gingerbread people. I ate a few. And drank some wine.

My husband asked me what my favorite part of the weekend was - I told him what it wasn't: The 87 or so temper tantrums my youngest niece threw. I guess she is doing better, but she is still kind of cranky about her dad being hurt. It's not his fault, but try reasoning with an 8-year old.

I'm in Milwaukee for a couple of days for work. Glamourous! Hopefully I will be able to hop on the treadmill here at the hotel. I packed food, and stopped at Trader Joe's for some healthy snacks. I just have to remember not to eat them all! On the drive down, I stopped at a Target to use their restroom, and I tried on a couple of pairs of pants, to see if I should get an inexpensive larger pair to get me through my pants woes. They didn't fit. And I need to get down to the underlying problem - my expanding waistline and rear end.

I never thought I would be one of those people who lost weight, then gained it back. But when I look down at the scale, I am seeing a scarier and scarier number on the scale. I should go back to WW, but I am making excuses - too much $, it does not fit into my schedule, blah, blah, blah. Obviously, what I am doing is not appearing to work. At one point this year, I was down to 175. I want to get back there. I had thought about trying to get there by Christmas, but that is just not going to happen. And it is nobody's fault but my own.

I know, eat less, move more. If only it were that simple.

Anyway, I need to get ready for my meetings.
~a

Are you pondering what I'm pondering?

I think so Brain, but if we get Sam Spade, we'll never have any puppies! (you need to read it out loud...)

Okay, so I caught an episode of Pinky and the Brain the other day. I hate to admit it, but that is one thing my ex-boyfriend got me started on that I still enjoy.

I threw out a picture of him (with me) yesterday. It was taken at my friend's wedding when I was a bridesmaid, and had resided in a small picture frame I had on one of my shelves. Facedown, so I wouldn't look at it. I'm not sure why I didn't do it a long time ago. Other than the fact that I was telling myself I kept it because of what I looked like. But I hated the dress (I actually had to change my hair color because it clashed too badly with the dress), it was pepto pink with poofy sleeves, a big bow on the but and a sweetheart neckline. I think the goal of some folks in picking out bridesmaid dresses is to get them to all look like crap, so you look better. Just a theory.

I actually googled my ex the other day. From a hotel so he wouln't know that it was actually me, 'cause he is the ultimate techno geek. It appears that he and his wife had a baby. Still kind of makes me angry - but he did tell me when we were breaking up that he could see himself having kids, just not with me. Hateful and hurtful all at the same time!

It makes me glad for what I have now.

I think that's all the pondering I have the energy for tonight. Tomorrow will be a long fucking day. Not really looking forward to it, but what can you do?

~a

Again, not dead...

I just feel like I don't have lots and lots to say.

Weightloss? What's that?

I did step on the scale the other day and scared myself. But yet, I am not doing much to reverse the situation.

Well, let me step back a little. I saw the scary number on the scale, and started counting points again, and doing small amounts of exercise (30 min on the NordicTrack, 3-mile run...) And I was hungry - no lie - for two days straight. I HATE feeling hungry. And it's not like I was eating crap with no substance. And I was snacking on raw veggies and fruit. So, the counting, again, got thrown out the window.

Hi. My name is Anneke. And I have no enthusiasm for the whole weightloss thing right now.

It's also kind of weird, as we have been told at work that there is no overnight travel until the end of the year. As I kept telling people this weekend, I have been at home for the last three weeks, and I am not sure what to do with myself. I will have to say, I have done a lot of stuff in the kitchen, putting together veggie dishes, soups, appetizers, banana bread, and using up all of the space in the freezer, and utilizing pretty much all of the veggies from my farm share.

I have the healty food to eat, I just have to cut out the ice cream, and pie, and brownies, and candy.

Yesterday and today are days of cleaning. In some ways I am avoiding my work computer and the information I need to put together for meetings next week. But it needed to get done. I have cleaned the bathroom (including taking a old toothbrush to the faucet to remove the crud around the bottom) Cleaned, vacuumed, dusted, swiffered the bedroom, office, hallway (dusted the pictures...) and living room, and vacuumed the cat hair off the couches. Brought 3 bags of clothing to Goodwill. Put up some pictures in the guest bedroom that have been on a shelf in a closet since we moved (over three years ago).

Eric has been doing good too with trying to get things straightened/organized. He watched the Oprah show about the hoarding, and came to realize that he is doing some of that... and he has actually made an effort to get some of the halfway finished projects done, and get tools and other materials into a real storage area. I keep telling him if he gets things put away, he will be able to find them later. I think he might have reaized that this is actually pretty true, and he needs to do a better job.

Although some of that might be that I have been home and keep bugging him to get some stuff done.

Anyway, It has been a nice Thanksgiving - it was fairly relaxing, got plenty of rest. And the house is cleaner than it has been in months.

Perhaps I will get in more exercise next week. Can't have everything all at the same time, can we?

~a

Nesting

I feel kind of in that mode right now.

I want to get the house/garage/basement in order. I live with a man who's idea of comfortable is a bit different than mine.

Namely: Clutter is just fine.

Okay, he just looked over my shoulder and asked "What's all over?"

My reply: Stuff all over the bedroom, stuff all over the office, stuff all over the dining room table, stuff all over the kitchen counter, stuff all over the coffee table, boxes of crap that are falling apart in the garage...

And then he gets a little pissy.

"um, you asked what I meant..."

"yeah but the list didn't need to be that long!"

"but it is that long!"

I have no plans for this weekend, other than I am scheduled to donate blood on Saturday morning. I hope to get the house cleaned, laundry washed, sheets on the bed changed, and to cook up a bunch of dishes and soups with the veggies from my farm share. Oh, and I want to finish putting the fringe on the afgahn that I am making for some friends of ours that got married in September. Yeah, I know, but of the three weddings we had in three months, I finished two of the afgahns.

I also hope to unearth the oriental rug I have in the garage so I can get it to the cleaner's. I want to put it in the guest bedroom.

Oh, and I am planning on doing some exercise. I have actually NordicTracked twice this week, and I want to continue the streak. I signed up for a 5K that is on the 18th. Not that I am sure I will run the whole thing, but I really like this race. Yeah, won't be getting a PR this time, but that's just fine with me.

Anyway, I think I am going to go find my husband and convince him we need to go to happy hour.

~a

Does he do it on purpose?

I sent my husband to the grocery store last night. With a list. And I also made sure to show him the grocery ad to show him what he needed to buy, and to explain the list.

He didn't listen to me.

I put "Light microwave popcorn" on the list.
He bought:

• Light Kettle Corn
• Movie Butter mini-bags
• Butter popcorn
• Natural Buttery salt and cracked pepper mini-bags (um, yuk...)

I also gave him a coupon for hot pockets. For two. He bought 8, because they were 5 for $10, and he thought he had to buy that many to get the price....

He also bought a spice that we had purchased last time we had been at the grocery store, when we had gone together.

I had given him some cash that should have covered the items on the list, but with all of the stuff he bought extra, he went over, and put it all on a credit card - which I have been telling him NOT to use the credit cards, as I want them PAID OFF so we can concentrate on getting our home equity loan paid down.... "Well, I gave you the cash back...." Minus some money he used because he was short (he's on an allowance, because he overspends, even if he is given limits - another story)

I asked him this morning if he screwed up on purpose, so I wouldn't send him to the grocery store again. He said that it wasn't intentional, but it sounded like a good idea.

I love him, but he just doesn't get it sometimes.

I'm just a bit frustrated with him right now.

Yargh.

~a

Making the rounds.

That's what's going on this week.

Going from place to place with a couple of women from work, putting on health fairs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Got to look at a BMI chart today at the health fair. Yippee. I know those things just don't take into account muscle, but it is still depressing to know that according to the chart, I am overweight, bordering on obese. But, I still don't have issues telling people how much I weigh. It's a number. And I weigh a lot more than what I look like.

It would, however, be nice to weigh less. And have my clothes fit better. I also think it would help immensely with my running. Like less pounding on the knee.

Eric and I went to an apple orchard on Sunday last weekend. It was nice to get out and do a "couples" thing together, with just the two of us. Seems like when we are home together over the weekend, we get busy with projects, and I just don't seem to see enough of him!

Anyway, my point .... there had been a 5-mile race at the orchard the day before (Saturday) and I know some folks with my running group were planning on running. But when I saw the posting up while we were there, I got kind of teary.

I want to run. But I am scared of what will happen. And talking to Eric, telling that I was thinking about running, he started getting concerned. I can't push it.

So I brought stuff with me on this trip to go walking. I walked for 50 minutes last night, and for an hour tonight. It sure clears up some of the cobwebs.

And on Monday, I started journalling again. And when the two women I am traveling with broke out candy bars for snacks yesterday, I broke out the cauliflower I had brought with me. They told me I was being too healthy. Um, we are out here putting on health fairs....

Yep, so I am again trying to follow the WW program. I don't plan on going to meetings, because, honestly, they just don't fit into my schedule - really the only day I can go is Saturday, and I would much rather go out with my running group (well, when I am actually running) than sit in a meeting room, trading ideas about food and coping strategies with a bunch of mommies. Not that there is anything wrong with being a mom, but I just don't fit into that group. And this Saturday I am going to be a course marshall for a local half marathon - the Monster Dash. I will be on the corner of Bryant and Minnehaha, if anyone is interested in coming out to visit, and cheer on the runners!

Anyhoo, I have an early morning - my ride will be leaving the hotel here at 6:45, and I did not sleep well in the hotel last night.

toodles
~a

Still alive

But don't really feel like I have much to talk about.

But I keep telling myself that I am glad that I could not run the marathon on Sunday. Talking to my husband (who is a race official) they were about two degrees from calling the race off.

I guess it was somewhat a comedy of errors at the finish line. Some of the things he was complaining about:

• The large clock at the finish never worked. They tried and tried, but it must have not gotten charged up properly after the Saturday events.
• They didn't have the usual aluminum finish line tape (I was hoping to get some for a couple of friends who were running), but instead, had some duct tape that Eric said was not even sticking to itself.
• Eric asked for a ladder so he could reach the timing clock at the finish. They got him a 6-foot ladder when he needed at least a 12-foot ladder. I told him that was his fault for not being more specific!
• The ran out of lunch/food for the volunteers at the finish, and had to call to get some pizzas delivered.
• The 10-milers used up all of the water on the last part of the course. They had to call out an extra "emergency" Chippewa water truck to get more water on the course.
• They ran out of T-shirts for the 10-mile race
• They almost ran out of kitty litter in the finish area. Kitty Litter? Um, yeah, there were more people than usual throwing up after they finished....
• It was fucking hot.

And that's what I remember right now.

Good times.

~a

All sorts of randomness

So how's life?

Mine feels like it has somehow gone bezerk, then ground to a halt.

And this is what has been going on:

• because I can't run, somehow, I thought I would just not exercise. at all. Very very bad idea. no exercise means very cranky Anneke.
• Eric and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Saturday. I felt like I had not seen him for a month, and it was kind of weird "getting to know" him again. Seriously. Between the state fair, my trip to my sister's, his weekend trip to a fishing tourney in Brainerd, my work travel, his week of fishing in Canada.... You will be happy to know we still like each other!
• After figuring out what had made me so cranky last Friday, I went for a walk. 5 miles. It was really good - except for the guy who decided he needed to honk his horn and flip me off (and the person who was just ahead of me who was jogging) as we were both on the side of the road. Hello - show me where there is a sidewalk in that particular 50 feet, and I will use it....
• Friday at work was just a prize. I pretty much got into an argument with someone on a conference call, because he thought I should be doing something that is not my responsibility. Something that my boss has repeatedly told people that it is not my responsibility. It is a supplier issue. Not a safety issue. Yeah, I hate to admit it, but I threw a pretty good tantrum at work, slammed a door (and EVERYONE in the office heard it) and left early because I had horrible heartburn. I don't get mad real often, but I guess it is worth the price of admission.
• I had a job interview a couple of weeks ago. The hiring manager called me on Saturday to tell me that even though I was well qualified, and that I interviewed really well, I didn't get the job. Makes me wonder if they had someone already picked to fill the job before they did the interviews, because he asked that if they had a similar position open up elsewhere, would I consider relocating?
• Sunday was about a perfect day. We visited some friends of Eric's at their cabin, and I got to do my most favorite thing in the world - sit on the deck in the morning with a cup of coffee, looking over the lake.
• We had a friend of Eric's stay with us on Friday night, and he was doing the usual getting to know you thing, and he asked me if there was anything else that he should really know about me. I told him I was pretty much a homebody at heart. It makes me feel so good to have a clean house, laundry all done, and a fabulous dinner on the table for guests.
• I got rear-ended yesterday on my way home from work. I was stopping behind a line of cars that were stopped at a light, and knew the person behind me was going to hit me. I pretty much stood on the brakes after I got hit to avoid hitting the car in front of me - I was successful. So we pull off the road, and this guy comes over to say he saw the whole thing, he was a witness. The lady that hit me tried to say that I had stopped quickly in front of her, but both this guy and I said that she had been following to close/going too fast - her reply "so it's all my fault then?" Why yes, it was.... Even though she hit me, I did not hit the car in front of me. And she was the one that got the ticket, not me. It's my company vehicle, so now I get to deal with all of our company paperwork, and insurance, and repairs and such. Oh, yeah, and I'm fine.

So that's pretty much the update.

That, and I need to work on losing weight again, I can tell... my arms start going to sleep at night when I am in bed, and I am starting to have some heartburn issues. Good times. Now where on earth did I stash that motivation?

~a

Knee news

Well, there is nothing REALLY wrong.

It's kind of an irritation or something similar with the meniscus of my knee.

It's not torn, but with all of the pounding associating with the running I have been doing, the ortho said it was getting "spongy" and - the best description I can say is - wrinkled, and that is what is causing the pain. It is not torn. There is a surgery that can remove the portion of the cushioning (meniscus) which may alleviate the pain, if I was a "dedicated marathoner" but as I am just hoping to run one.... I don't want to have to go through the surgery.

The doctor said the marathon this fall is out - I should try and see if it heals by not running for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. He said that pretty much trying to run Grandma's in the spring is out, but I might be able to train up for the marathon next year.

I got a elecronic newsletter from the TC marathon today, and at the end of it is a picture of the finisher's medal. I looked at it, and teared up, knowing I will not be getting mine in October.

It sucks.

But, I need to accept it and move on. Better to be able to walk for the rest of my life, and to try again next year. It's not like I have not accomplished anything this year - have run further in one day than ever before. I just need to be smart, and not try to over do it.

And I need to drop some weight, so I don't have that much more on my knees.

So that's the plan. Walk, bike, lose weight, and aim for a marathon in a year.

~a

I would rather have my toenails pulled out

I was home last night, putzing on the computer when the phone rang.

I didn't recognize the number, but I picked it up anyway. The person on the other end of the phone asked for my husband.

Me: may I ask who is calling?
him: This is ---- from ---- I am calling about a entry form that Eric filled out at Bass Pro Shops.
me: Is this about a time share presentation?
him: yes, and a vacation
me: well, you already called, and we said we were not interested
him: what was the reason you were not interested in the vacation deal?
me: I told my husband that I would rather have my toenails pulled out than to sit through another timeshare presentation
him: okay then..... thanks

and then I hear him trying not to burst out laughing as he is disconnecting the call.

You would think they would take us off the list. How more point blank can I be?

And among other assorted news:

I had an MRI on my knee this morning. I have an appointment with the orthopaedist on Friday to go over the results. I also need to bring him my running shoes. At this point, I am kind of scared to go running, for fear of damaging something. I might go for a walk though. I love this time of year, when it's about 55 to 60 degrees in the morning, and it is just envigorating. It is quite sad that I won't be running tomorrow morning at 5am.

I talked to my brother-in-law tonight. I wanted to see if he had any words of wisdom, as I have a job interview tomorrow morning, with the company he currently works for (well, of course he is off on medical right now...). He had some good things to say, and I can really tell that he is making more progress. He got out of the inpatient rehab, and is now at home each night, and I think that is really good for him, and much better for my nieces. My parents are staying with them, so they have been driving him back and forth to the rehab each day, so my sister can work and take care of other things. He is still not back to what he was, and perhaps will never be completely back, but he is continuing to make good progress.

And that's what's up here.

~a

PSA - don't make regrets necessary

It's been kind of a shocking couple of days.

I found out on Friday that a friend of mine had killed himself on the 6th. It is just so sad.

The funeral service was today, and I am glad that I was able to make it. It was also sad, because I think one of the last few times I had seen my friend was when he had gotten married in the same church. I guess I had been closer to his wife/widow, but we had all kind of gone our own ways in the last couple of years.

The group of us knew each other from working in a haunted house that is no longer running. And we all talked about how we should have gotten together before this. It was nice seeing folks, but also so incredibly sad that we have not all seen each other in years, and have not kept touch.

The priest talked about how his family and friends would be thinking about the "could have, should have, would haves" but there is nothing to do but get past that, because what is done is done. But it still makes me wonder what would have happened if we had all stayed in touch and had that camaraderie and support that he evidently needed.

So, don't make those regrets necessary. Make sure you let the people that are important to you know they are important. In this day and age there is no excuse for not staying in touch... how much effort does it really take to sent an e-mail, or to make a phone call?

~a

Ouch.

A friend of mine sent me a note yesterday, to wish me a happy birthday (yes, I turned 37 yesterday) and to ask me if I was running on Saturday.

I'm not running for two reasons -

1. The group meets at 8, and I am volunteering at the Renaissance Festival, and need to be there at 9:30. With the hour drive, I would not be able to make it.
2. Because I'm not running. At all. It hurts. And it really makes me sad.

Do you know how much I would cry if I could not run any more? There is absolutely nothing like a runner's high, and the tired exhaultation you have after going for a long run. You have to be a runner to understand. I guess this means I am a runner.

So, here's the story... I went to the PT on Friday (8/31) and since I was still having pain, and worse than it was before, she said it was time to go to the Ortho. But, I should still do the activities (cardio) that did not hurt me, to keep in shape - if there was something simple I might still be able to attempt the marathon. So I got on the NordicTrack bright and early Saturday morning. 75 minutes, and 8 miles.

And the knee hurt. Not while I was exercising. But that day, just walking around. And it hurt the next day, to the point where I was walking without bending my knee at all, because it hurt. And the next day, it was giving me pain while I was driving.

Something is definately off.

I have an appointment with the Ortho on Monday. We'll have to see what happens.

MIA

I feel like I have been gone for weeks.

But, in reality, it has been only a week. I went to visit my sister in Oklahoma for a week, to help her around the house with the kids, and with my BIL. And he is doing much better. I helped to get him moved to a new facility on Friday. He's out of the hospital, and in a rehab place that specializes in treating people with brain injuries. He seems to be doing so much better, I won't be suprised if he gets "kicked out" in a few weeks... they say the "usual" length of stay there is 2 months, but I don't see him being there that long.

It will be good for him, but it's really kind of a depressing place - since it is for people who have had brain injuries, it's pretty much locked down, so people won't wander off, or try to "escape" as they put it. There are very strict visiting hours, and you are not allowed visitors outside of those hours. One of the main reasons he is staying, is that it would be about a 45 minute drive (one way) to get him there, and to pick him up, and my sister would have to drive since he can't do that yet. But, once they get him sorted out and evaluated, hopefully he will be able to be home on the weekends.

So that was a lot of my vacation. Sitting in the hospital. Taking my nieces to the movies (Underdog), cooking food for my sister, and other general laziness.

I drove down there on the 17th (well to Kansas City, and stayed with a friend). I went for a run Saturday morning - 3 miles, and it was awful. Hot, knee hurt, and I had to stop at a 7-11 to use the bathroom in the middle of my run. I planned to do a long run on Sunday... and I got out at 5:15am with my new Garmin (new toy!), and went 1/4 of a mile before my knee started screaming at me.

as in "bitch - what the hell are you trying to do to me?"

So I went back to the house and crawled into bed, and went back to sleep.

The only exercise I got all week, was a bike ride on Thursday. Okay, so I went 17.5 miles, and was out for about an hour and 20 minutes...

But that's it for the week. 'Cause my knee has been bad. Like hurts to walk down the hall bad. Not sure what's up.

Oh yeah, and I stepped on the scale this morning, and I gained 5 pounds. Happy vacation!

~a

She moves, she grooves...

Is it really Friday again?



I feel like I have been in over my head, a bit. Marathon training sure sucks up a lot of time!



Not that I am complaining. I love the way I just clear my head, and am able to really think about nothing when I run. It's definately a sanity check.



So an update on life... I actually talked to my BIL on the phone on Monday. I guess he babbles quite a bit! He told me that he gets confused if he has to think about a lot of things. He did remember that I work for the railroad, after I told him I had gone for a train ride. But, he also told me that he had gotten hit several times, (and I can hear my sister in the background say "No...."), then he revised it to, he got hit in several places, (and again my sister says "no...."), then he says, that he had many injuries.



After work, I met up with a friend of mine, and we went cruising around in the convertable - down Summit Ave, north on East River Road, across the river at Franklin, then south on West River Parkway to Minnehaha Falls. We had a great time enjoying the wind in our hair, looking at all of the houses, and just plain relaxing!



Tuesday was a pretty low-key day. Got up early and hopped on the NordicTrack for an hour, off to meetings at the yard, then back home to work on some reports. The evening was spent running some errands, and to bed early.



Wednesday, I got up at 4:45 am. Went for a 7.5 mile run. No earth shattering pace, but it was fun to be up and out of the house in the still of the morning, and I was able to see the sunrise over Lake Phalen. It was also a day of driving. I drove to Superior for a meeting, then headed to Fargo where I was staying the night. I had packed food with me, and for supper, I found a park, and ate my salad with turkey, parmesan and pine nuts at a picinic table. It was a nice break during my drive.



Thursday, meetings until noon or so in Fargo, then it was the drive back in the afternoon, so I could make it to my next physical therapy appointment. Things with the knee are going pretty well, actually. I am having a lot less pain, and as long as I am keeping up the exercises, I think I will be able to keep up the training.



And this morning was pretty good. Eric was up and out to work early (left the house at 5:30), so I got up and dressed, and was running at 6:00. 3 miles was on the schedule, so that's what I did... in 28:37. Yep, that's right! under 30 minutes for 3 miles. I wanted to push and see what I could do. I started the timer, and didn't look at it until after I had stopped it after my 3 miles. Yay me! It kind of makes me want to sign up for a 5K, to see if I can get a PR... but I have kind of decided that I will be sticking to the training schedule, and not running any races until the marathon.



Tomorrow, I will do 10 miles. Then, my mom will be here, we are going to get our hair cut, then go shopping.

Anyway, that's the skinny.
~a

Weekend running

I think I was dehydrated. Or under fueled. My run on Saturday knocked me on my ass.

Shall we start with: Friday night I went with my husband to his 30-year class reunion (yes, he's old...) There was no meal, so I ate quite a few slices of turkey wrap, mini-egg rolls, and shrimp on cucumber slices. And four glasses of wine. I was at a class reunion that was not mine after all.... I actually chatted quite a bit with another of the spouses. I kept telling her I was eating so I would be able to run the next morning. She, and others were impressed.

Anyway, we got home somewhere around midnight, and 5am came awfully early. I had planned to get in about 10 miles, then meet the running group, and do another 8 after that. Yeah. I was not able to get myself going that quickly... I ended up doing 6 miles (out and back) in about an hour and 10 minutes, then I did another 10. I'm glad I made the decision to turn around at the 5-mile mark instead of doing a 13-mile loop that I had considered.

It was hard. I sucked down all of the water I had brought with me, and went through 2 packages of sport beans. And at the end, my ass was dragging. but I did the 16. Further than I have ever run before! I thought it would be emotional, like my 15-miler, but I was honestly too tired to do anything but go home.

I ended up taking a 3-hour nap on Saturday, and never really woke up before heading to bed at 9pm.

Note to self: Better pre-run nutrition, and less pre-run alcohol.

I will get up to 20 miles sometime in this training... and I will finish the 26.

It all begins with the first step. And I have taken many.
~a

I wasn't on the bridge...

In case you were all wondering.

Instead, I was shopping for a dress. With my husband. We heard about it when we were making our purchase. We then went to get something to eat at Applebees, and to gawk at the television.

Yikes.

Otherwise, It was a pretty good day - I got up at 5 and ran my 8 miles, had work meetings, then stopped at my parents house and borrowed my dad's Mustang convertable, and got home to go shopping with my DH. The knee is a little sore, but not anything terrible or unbearable.

That's all I've got at this time. Kind of a watch and wait situation.
~a

5-second rule?

So looking through some of the assorted professional magazines etc. I have on my desk, I came across an article I wanted to share:

A new rule to let you "drop" your guard.

Relax: You no longer have to feel a responsibility to stop a worker before they eat that dropped Cheeto that's sat on the ground for longer than five seconds.

You now have 30 seconds to a minute before you have to worry about the worker catching e-coli and trying to get workers comp. As a part of a new university study, food was dropped at a snack bar and left for varous amounts of time.

The new verdict: Wet foods usually can stay on the floor for about 30 seconds before e-coli kicks in, and for dry foods, usually about a minute.

Of course, if you happen to be a klutz like me today, and spill dried oatmeal on the floor, you need to fight the ants for it. Seriously - I went to pick it up, and there was an ant, not 15 seconds after I dropped it, trying to drag off an oat.

~a

A week of crap...

Okay, it's official.

I am tired of traveling.

At work, it has been pretty much decided that I need to be out of the office (and out on the property) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So I spent Monday afternoon and evening traveling to Minot, ND where I spent three nights.

The North Dakota State Fair was going on that week too, so it was a bit difficult to get a hotel room. I ended up in an okay place - it had no exercise room, but had a pool. I had also brought my bicycle along with me.

Well, Monday, I didn't exercise, since I got into Minot at about 9:45 pm. Road glazed and tired, and needing to meet up with the work crew at 6:30am, at a location 45 miles from where I was staying...

Tuesday, it was hot. And I mean hot. It hit 104 degrees in Minot. Being out with the work crew wiped me out but good. I fell asleep in my hotel room that afternoon, but knew I needed to do some exercise, so after I woke up, I headed for the pool. I enjoy swimming laps, but the pool was kind of cloudy, and it was hard to see where the end wall was to make my turns - I ended up jammimg my fingers into the wall a couple of times. Then there were the two girls who I think were making a game of seeing how close they could get to me, without having me run into them. Grrrrrrr. All I wanted was one stinkin' side of the pool. Plenty of other space, folks. I spent a couple of hours at the mall there, to wander a bit, to get out of my cracker-jack box of a room. The only good news was that the size 12 pants were fitting me...

Wednesday, it was hot. Not as hot as the day before, but still not that great. I had stopped at the grocery store on Tuesday (had a fridge in the room!) and had packed some drinks, a couple of whole wheat wraps with turkey and cheese, and some 100-calorie packs in a cooler for the day. We were going out on the rail, and they told me we would stop somewhere for lunch so I didn't need to bring the cooler. I should know better. At 2pm, when we finally got off the tracks, we stopped at a convenience store.... After getting back to the hotel, I went to swim laps again. ( I wanted to get out on my bicycle, but it was raining.) This time, swimming laps, it was some guy who kept getting in my way - he was not paying attention, and another girl was there, deciding she would try and swim under me to touch the wall underwater. Um, the pool, at it's deepest was 5 feet. I gave up after half an hour.

Thursday, out again on the rail. And talking with folks, etc. By the time I got on the road to drive home, it was after 1pm. I was tired after three nights in a little hotel room, where I kept waking up because the A/C kept cycling on and off. So what did I do to keep myslef amused and awake? Of course... I munched. After a stop in Fargo for a break at the DQ for dinner, I got home around 10:15.

I leave with the best of intentions, but they never seem to work out. I just want to be able to spend a week at home without feeling guilty.

And with all the driving, and static positions I was in... my knee has been bothering me all week. Fabulous.

Another thing that has been bothering me is I have these odd boil/blister itchy spots on the toes of my left foot. I think they might be stress related, or related to wearing socks and work boots all day, but they are not getting better. In fact, it started on one toe, and now four are affected.

I think I need a new lifestyle.
~a

Undiscovered Country

Friday, I had another appointment with the physical therapist. More ultrasound therapy on the hip and the knee. I have been able to do some really good stretches, and the hip is starting to feel more normal. And I think the taping technique I have been using on the knee is working too, so I will definately continue to do that.

Yesterday, my training schedule said 18 miles. I thought that was a little to daunting for me. So I headed out with 15 miles in mind - my plan was to run to Phalen, around twice, back near home, then run my 5-mile loop around Beaver Lake. And I did it. I walked about 4 times during the route, to eat some Sport Beans, and drink water. It took me 2 hours and 51 minutes. As I was hitting the point that was 2 miles from my house (so 13 miles into the run, about) I looked at my time: 2:28:00 or so. The furthest I have run has been my half-marathons (13.1 miles) and I finished last year in 2:29:00 or so.

Yesterday, I ran further than I have ever run before. 15 miles. I kept wanting to tell the people that were on the path exactly how far I had run that day.

And I admit it, I got kind of teary and emotional at the end of the run. I did it. Me. With the knee and hip pains that just were not so bad yesterday on the run.

When I was warming down, and stretching, my cell phone rang. My parents caled to tell me that my BIL had woken up that morning. It's the first time he has been awake since the accident on the 11th.

After bathing, and getting cooler etc. together, I headed up to my parent's house to deal with their garden, which needed some harvesting, since they have been gone to be with my sister and BIL. So I also got in about 2 hours of gardening yesterday... I picked raspberries, blueberries, cucumbers, beans, beets, lettuce, zucchini and tomatos. I just feel kind of bad that I will be gone 3 nights this week, so I won't be able to enjoy it all!

Today will be a day of some laundry, packing, and hopefully some relaxation! My knee is not painful, for the most part, but if I move wrong, it starts to tell me. Best to take it easy today.

ta!
~a

30 minutes in the morning

It sure makes me happy.

The alarm went off at 5:10 this morning. I stumbled out of bed, kind of wishing I had not had as much beer as I had last night, grabbed my running clothes I had set out last night, got dressed, taped my knee (I am finding that the tape works best - I can wrap it tight around the front of my knee, and then have it looser around the back, so those muscles/tendons don't start doing wonky things as I am running) , considered getting the mp3 player then decided against it, then I was out the door.

I wanted to set a good tempo, but not kill myself.

Started running, started my stopwatch.

It was a beautiful, crisp morning. I enjoyed being out by myself, before most of the world was moving. Noticed that the folks that have the house near my first turn had FINALLY trimmed the tree, so I could stay on the sidewalk! Nearing my landmark for 1 mile, I was thinking I was doing pretty well. Timer said I was at about 10:15 for the first mile. Not bad!

Around the next corner, up the first significant hill. No Fear! I lengthened my stride, and conquered the hills with style and panache. Rounded the next corner to all sorts of birds singing in the bushes. Worked on my runner's stride.

Heading into the home stretch, I was still feeling pretty good, running faster than during my long runs, but not to the point where I was straining. I gave a pretty good kick at the end, and stopped my watch when I crossed my starting point. 30:04. Sweet! (3 miles, Check!)

30 minutes in the morning, that's all it takes!
~a

Slacker

Admitting it is the first step.

That is me.

It's been kind of nutty with my schedule this week - that's my excuses and I am sticking to it. I went in to work Tuesday for the Midnight shift. And Wednesday I went in for 2nd shift.

I have exercised once this week. I did 60 minutes on the NordicTrack. I thought about going running this morning, as I am back to normal work hours, but somehow managed to put the alarm radio on AM rather than FM like it was supposed to be. I guess I might have needed the extra sleep.

My knee? Have not done my PT exercises this week either. Feeling twinges when I walk. But the good news is that it does not hurt. I am guessing it does not hurt since I have not run since Saturday. Although, I did run 8 miles on Saturday without much pain... I am hoping to get in at least 10, and hopefully 15 on Saturday. I am planning on going EARLY so I will be done before it gets too warm. That means I likely will not be running with my group again. And after that, I will be going to my parent's house to see how their garden is faring, and pick what I can - as they are in Olkahoma, and are not real sure when they are coming home.

My brother-in-law is still in intensive care. I guess my younger niece was having a bit of a melt-down last night. She does that, but this is probably related to the fact that she has not been able to see her father at all (they won't let children in the ICU, unless it is a "dire" circumstance.) They operated on his leg yesterday, and hopefully that is the only surgery he will have - so they can start weaning him off of the pain meds and remove some of the tubes and intubations. It's gonna be a long road to recovery for him.

Yikes, just yikes.

At least I can still run.
~a

he loves me...

So, finally the boat got sold. After much prodding and pushing, it got a "for sale" sign on it on the 7th of July. On the 12th, Eric got a call from a man that had seen the boat and was interested. 10 minutes later, he called back - asking if he could take the sign off of it, so nobody else would be able to call about it to purchase it!

So we went shopping on Friday afternoon. We had planning on getting a new ring (for me) because my original wedding band/engagement ring just had issues - the main one being that I am hard on rings, and had bent the prongs on my ring 6 or 7 times in the 3 1/2 years I had been wearing the engagement ring... so I got a new ring to go with the band I had been wearing.

I keep looking at it, it's beautiful!

The good, the bad, and the ugly

It's all there today...

the good: Looks like Eric has sold the boat! The one he was supposed to sell last year, the one that he wanted to "fix up" before he sold it, the one I told him mid-June that he could not go fishing until he had it up for sale...

the bad: Knee is still being cranky. Ran on the Treadmill Tuesday night, I was not able to do the 5 miles I had planned. Ran 3 this morning, and it is giving me "twinges" today, but not unbearable pain. I have a PT appointment tomorrow.

the ugly: I got a call from my mom and dad this morning, telling me that they were not going to be around this Saturday to go shopping like we had planned... They were on their way to Oklahoma... My brother-in-law got hit by a car while riding his bicycle yesterday. Someone found him laying by the side of the road. He has a broken leg and a broken hip. The MRI showed that he has what they suspect is a small bleed in his brain, but not big enough that they need to operate right away - they are monitoring him.

So if you pray, please do.
~a

Update: here's the story from the news station I also talked to my sister, who says he's responsive, but he had a collapsed lung most likely caused by the collision, and they are not sure what kind of surgery, if any he is going to need for his hip/leg.

Hot cha cha

Boy, it's been hot.

So the update on the hip/knee pain.... I went to the doctor on Monday, who referred me to the physical therapist.

Went biking Monday (11 miles), Tuesday (12 miles), and Wednesday (23 miles), and had no knee pain.

Saw the physical therapist on Friday. Still not really sure what it is - she does not think it's an IT band problem, since that type of problem is more prevalent in bicyclists than in runners. But the hip is definately stiff and less flexible than the other side. And since the knee pain is only showing itself during weight-bearing exercises, plus the weird "click" in my knee when it gets rotated, she suspects it is partly a cartilidge problem. Lovely.

Um, why exactly did I decide I wanted to run a marathon?

Anyway, she suggested that I contunue on the same type of program for the next couple of weeks... she even said that if the knee pain was showing up at the 6-8 mile mark, that I could do training runs for a while at that distance... then realized I said that it was noticable at the 3-mile mark. But... and this is my trying to push it... I might try and throw in a couple of shorter runs this week to see what happens, because I feel the knee, but it's not unbearable until after 8 miles or so.

Only 8 miles.

Would you listen to me? Sheesh.

So I decided with 15 miles on my schedule for Saturday, I would try running the three lakes (Harriet, Calhoun, Lake of the Isles) which is 11 miles, and see how I was feeling to decide if I was going to do another lap around Harriet. And it was HOT. Lordy lordy lordy. Anyway, I got about 9.5 miles in, before I had to walk. Shooting pain in my knee. Stretch, stretch. Sit down on the grass and rest for 5 minutes. And the whole thing just wiped me out. Seriously. I went home, and about fell asleep in the bathtub. So I got out and ate a bit of something, then laid down and took a two-hour nap. After waking up, I was still not well, having a rather low blood sugar moment. A handful of Golden Grahms, and some real Kool-Aid, and I was feeling a bit more human.

Sunday, I took the day off, and the good news is that it does not hurt to walk.

And traveling this week, I got on the bike at the hotel tonight after I checked in. I also have my bike in the back of my truck, but I am thinking about running tomorrow morning on the treadmill, to see how it goes. A glutton for punishment? Perhaps.

Wish me luck.
~a

Back in the country

Well, I got back on Friday, but that's neither here nor there...

It was suprisingly an okay week in Calgary. Usually, I get pissed off at the meetings, then I go out at night and get food that is bad for me, and I drink too much.

And yeah, I did some of that, but not that much - even at the dinner that they had for our group where the drinks were flowing freely... I had water to start, and only about 3 glasses of wine.

I stuck to my plan, and biked 10.5 miles on Tuesday, and 11.5 on Wednesday. Thursday, I just had no motivation, so I took the day off (but we did log a couple of miles walking after our meetings that evening) and Friday I got my rear out of bed and swam laps before I packed and met two of my co-workers to share a cab to the airport. Yep, we were planning on meeting in the lobby at 7:30 am. I managed to get up, swim for half an hour, sit in the jacuzzi for about 10 min, shower, pack, get ready, check out, and was in the lobby at 7am. Yikes.

This weekend was pretty good, actually. I met my running group on Saturday morning, and ran about 8 miles. There were points where my hip started screaming at me, but I stopped, and stretched, and worked on my running style to see what worked best, and I finished the distance. I also talked to the coach a bit about what I was doing for training, etc., and she seemed to think that I was taking the right approach. I am planning on doing more biking and swimming this week for exercise, and hopefully getting in to see the doctor. Although I do take it as a promising sign that even though I am somewhat sore and moving gingerly, my knee really does not bother me.

Also on Saturday, I met one of my friends, and we sat on the patio of a local establishment enjoying the weather, each other's company (we really needed to catch up), and some half-price tap beers. Oh, and she enjoyed the cigar I brought back from Canada... since you can actually purchase Cuban cig ars there.

Today, Eric and I went to a friend's house where he pruned a couple of trees for her. I sat and watched. And after we got home, I have managed to balance the checkbooks (sitting outside on the patio with a glass if iced tea), cement patch the fountain (I want to get it running this week), and weeded and watered the flower beds. Eric has the whole week off of work, and I have Wed, Thurs, and Friday off. He's planning on heading north for some fishing, provided he gets enough work done on the boat that needs to get sold...

That's about it. I'm looking forward to a nice long bike ride tomorrow!

~a

Taking a week off

Of running, that is.

Seems like this week is a good one - I am in Calgary for work meetings this week. The hotel actually has a pretty nice exercise room, and a pool in which I can swim laps.

The plan is to ride bicycle and to swim for exercise this week. And stretch, stretch, stretch.

I tried going out for a long run on Saturday, planning on some loops from my house in case the hip/knee started being cranky. About 3 miles in to the 5-mile loop, things were not good. I actually talked to someone at the grad open house I was at on Saturday about the troubles I am having (I think she's a physical therapist or running coach or something like that) but my description of where the pain is, and the pressure point in the front of my hip that alleviates the knee pain, she figured I have a pinched nerve. She also suggested that I needed to do some abdominal strength work. And I knew that, but was ignoring it.

So I biked this morning. About 10.5 miles in my 45 minutes.

Now I need to hop into the shower, and get ready for a day of training.

Woo hoo.
~a

What do you mean it's not Friday?

Sure feels like it should be Friday tomorrow. I hate it when that happens.

It has been a long week already.

I was at the rail yard until 10pm last night. And I was tired. And dusty. It was not as stressful as last year, I will have to say, but when you have to yell at volunteers for doing things that they should not be doing (and have been told to keep the parade participants from doing these things), you start to wonder why you are allowing these people on to your property. It is a working rail yard/intermodal yard - case in point, there was a train that departed a little after 5pm. People started showing up to line up at 4:30. Then there was the kid that I told him and his "adults" to cross the tracks or stay off of them. Then I find him LAYING in the middle of the tracks. Hello???? Yes ladies, you need to watch the children you are responsible for.

But, they have been finding more and more business for that yard, and I really think this is the last year that we are going to allow the parade to stage there. I just don't want to deal with the parade and truck and rail traffic. Too many kids, and not enough adults that care to supervise properly.

Anyhoo, I'm off to home, to grab my suit so I can swim laps/run in my friend's pool.

ta!
~a

Hippy, Hippy shake

Don't you love the human body?

I think I have it figured out. I need to stretch my left hip lots more than I have been. I got up at 5am this morning to go for a run. Knee band in place, was feeling pretty good for pretty much all of my 3 miles (in 31 minutes!). After I was done, and walking it out, with the knee giving me twinges, I started pressing on the muscle in my hip. And lo and behold... if I got the right pressure point, the pain in my knee went away.

I think I might have to go find a masseuse.

But I also stretched a bit, and that muscle is kinda sore. Hopefully if I keep doing some good deep stretches it will help!

Last night was spent getting new anti-virus on the computer. We were having connectivity problems... couldn't get the web up, even though it said there was a connection. After 15 minues on the phone with the customer service rep, up and down the stairs to unplug and reconnect the modem (yes I had done that before, but they made me do it again) we discovered it was the anti-virus software, so I updated it to the newest version, and things work again! Woo hoo.

Tonight, I get to do "security" at our Shoreham yard in NorthEast Minnepolis. The Norteast parade is lining up in our rail yard, and I will be driving around in my company vehicle to make sure that people are behaving, and not doing things that they should not be doing. All I have to say is that there better not be any kids on unicycles running through the yard. Those kids (and parents that cannot control those kids) are out of control. Last year I saw a couple of kids on the unicycles ducking in and out of the intermodal trailers that were parked there, with truck traffic going in and out of the yard. When the adults in the group were told to control their kids, and that we have had problems and that they had been warned about this - they played dumb. Helloooooo - you are jepardizing the whole parade by your actions! (How do I really feel?)

Anyhoo - off to hit the shower!

~a

Pain in the...

Knee.

Yep. It's still there.

I bought myself a knee brace, and I don't think it is working so well - I think the brace is not adequate for what is going wrong. It might mean a visit to the doctor, and not a self-diagnosis.

I went for a run on Saturday. Waking up, the weather station told me that it was 68 degrees with 83 percent humidity. Blek. But, I did get out there anyway. Met, started out with at group of people, but dropped behind when I saw Jess. I trailed behind a couple of them for a while, until I had to start walking because my knee started hurting. Walked and ran the rest of the way, stopping to adjust the knee band, stopping to stretch, stopping to remove sand/stones from my shoe. 7 miles in about an hour and 20 minutes. I did it, but was not real happy when I was done.

Not sure where I go from here. I'm thinking about asking my friend if I can do some "running" in her pool, to keep in shape and not aggrivate the knee, and let it heal some.

and again.... Yuk.

~a

Blah, Blah, Blog

I'm home all week folks...

And I seem to be busier than ever. Why is that?

So my random thoughts and other assorted stuff for the day.

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. I called him in the morning (because HE is out of town, on vacation, fishing in a tournament) and had to be prompted to wish him a happy birthday. He's 48, the old fart! I'm planning on making him a fabulous dinner on Friday, and will give him his gift then. Note to self: buy husband's birthday gift...

It is hot outside. Yet still cold in my office. I hate that I have to wear closed shoes and my wool blazer in the office, or I freeze to death.

The scale told me I weighed 175 pounds this morning. After sweating buckets on my run, but hey, you take what you can get, right? So I have eaten Golden Grahams for breakfast, sushi and beer cheese soup for lunch, and some "flat earth" chips (yummy, by the way) and am sitting here pleasantly full. I have not been counting points since before Isle Royle, yet I am still not gaining... but actually losing. Hmmmm - cut out some of the crap, and stop eating when you are full. Is that how it works?

I'm wearing size 12 pants today. And they are not tight.

I bought an exercise outfit at Target yesterday: A running skirt and a top (okay, so I can't find a picture of the skirt). And darn, they were awful cute on the rack. I need to return them today, since I was not feeling the clothing love when I got home and tried them on.

We are haveing some folks over on Saturday, to celebrate Eric's birthday. So I have been madly working on some house projects. And my "new" sewing machine hates me. It keeps jamming. It's the machine that my mother has had for years, and she had it overhauled before she gave it to me, but it is acting up again. I think it is actually older than me - if I remember correctly, I believe mom sewed her wedding dress with this machine. So, I had to resort to using my "old" sewing machine, which I know is older than me. It was my great aunt's machine - I still have the reciept from when my great uncle bought it for her. In 1948. They sure don't make things like they used to! The house projects include making roman shades for the bedroom, and cushions for our wooden benches on the patio.

I also have a friend of a friend coming over tonight so I can look at doing some alterations on her bridesmaid dress. Damn, I love being crafty! (yeah, I'm also kind of cheap... why buy things when you can make them for a fraction of the cost?)

Oh running. Yeah, have not been doing enough lately. Got out and did 3 miles this morning. Taped my knee, but after sweating, it came off. I need to get one of those velcro straps. I bought something at Target that was "designed for women's knee pain" but it's a patellar (kneecap) brace, and does not support the IT band area. I guess I need to go into an actual drug store and browse their selection of braces, since it appears the tape is not going to work (or I need to get new tape - the stuff I used on Isle Royale worked!)

I think that's enough randomness for now. Have a great day!

~a

Alive, but definately busy

Yep.

I managed the whole Isle Royale trip.

and I am back in one piece. and I figured out what I needed to do with my knee so I would survive - it appears to be an IT band issue, and a judicially placed piece of first aid tape worked wonders! Especially the day we missed our turn, and hiked almost 16 miles, rather than the 10 we had planned.

All with 50+ pounds on my back!

I did figure, if I can do 16 miles with 50 pounds, up and down hills in a day, I think I can possibly handle a marathon.

Last week, back after the trip, I spent two days in Thief River Falls for work, then I spent the next two days out at a derailment, so there really was no time for updating here.... sorry! I am working up a description of our trip, which I plan to post when I get that done.

I also decided not to run the 1/2 marathon with my friend today. With all the business, and letting blisters heal, I figured it was the best thing. Plus I only got to run about 5 miles on one day this week - but I know I need to get back at it.

The other thing about my vacation: stepping on the scale Monday morning, I had lost 5 pounds. I guess 50 miles might just do that for you!

Running off to a friend's housewarming. And I promise, I will be running tomorrow!
~a

Today is the day!

My friends will be here to pick me up at 12:30 today. Then we are driving to Grand Portage, where we will spend the night, and we take the ferry to Isle Royale on Monday morning.

I tried to take it kind of easy with my exercise this past week - Monday was a bike ride (of course it was 18 miles or so) but I always find that rather easy and fun. Easier than running, that is. Wednesday, before book club I was able to get home early and exercise for about 45 minutes on the NordicTrack.

And Saturday, I went out for a long, easy run with my friend. Long is the key word... we did somewehere around 12 miles. And to tell you the truth, for the most part, it was great. We chatted, and relaxed into the run, and ran at a very comfortable pace. From my figuring (minus the pit stop along the way) I clocked us at the 6-mile turnaround point at about an hour and two minutes. And yes, we were running and talking at that pace!

But then... my knee started giving me some trouble. The knee that has not given me trouble in the past... so we stretched a bit, and kept going. And it kept hurting, so I walked a bit, and it stopped hurting. Ran a bit more, and when there was less than a mile left, I walked, and it didn't hurt walking, so I figured I did not injure myself before I was to go hiking 50 miles in a week.

Yeah - it hurt most of yesterday after I got home. I have been taking ibuprofin, and resting it, and wearing a knee brace. And it feels better than it did yesterday, but still a little twinge here and there. But it still hurts some. At least I still have about 24 hours to recover before we start hiking. I am packing the Ibuprofin and the knee brace.

So I am all packed, and ready to go, and pretty much nervous as hell.

Wish me luck!
~a

Holy Crap

This makes me nervous, just watching it...

If you watch closely, you can see someone jump off of the oncoming locomotive just before the impact

watch video

Yeah, I work for the railroad... but not this one!

less than one week

until I leave for Isle Royale.



Yikes. Kind of getting excited and nervous at the same time.

Spring in Minnesota

I had good intentions of cleaning my house last night, but that just did not happen...

Instead, Eric and I went out for a lovely dinner. I got to sit out on the patio of a lovely restaurant, enjoying a glass of wine, and eating fabulous food. Eric had the salmon, I had the sea bass. It was just so relaxing.

I kind of needed it after my long day - I was at work from 7:30 am until about 5:30 pm. Catching up from a week out of the office, and preparing to be gone out of the office for another three days.

Things are going to be interesting at work for a while though, one of our unions in Canada is preparing to go on Strike at midnight tonight, so my boss is going to be depolyed to cover the work while the union folks are on strike. I don't have a permit to work in Canada, so it will be business as ususal here, pretty much...

I went for a run this morning, and it actually went pretty well - I did my 4 miles in about 41 minutes. It would appear that I am getting faster. Not a bad thing, but sometimes it just amazes me that I am running close to 10 minute miles. And the new pants I bought in Florida at the end of March are too big for me - I kept hiking up my pants yesterday, it was actually kind of annoying. But what's a girl to do? I guess I have to go look and see if I have anything in the next size smaller... although I think I kind of skipped that size last time I was losing weight. It means I just have to lose more, right?

Anyway, I need to hop in the shower and get on the road to LaCrosse - my meeting today starts there at 10:30.

ta!
~a

My first ever....

And it brought a tear to my eye too.

I got a Mother's Day card on Saturday in the mail. From my stepdaughter. I guess I should have kind of expected it, since I saw the one she had mailed to my mother - but it still kind of took me by suprise.

Yesterday, I celebrated Mother's Day by going for a 5-mile hike with my 35 pound backpack, rushing home, showering, and then off to meet my mom, grandmother, and aunt (and their assorted spouses and family) for Sunday Brunch. There were 13 of us there, and we were all entertained by my cousin's daughter performing all of her dance recital moves for us in the restaurant, singing songs she made up. She's 4, and pretty adorable.

After that, it was off to do some shopping. A stop at the sporting goods store for some stuff sacks, getting my Mother's Day present of a new broom (When I asked Eric what I was getting for Mother's Day, he said "a new broom?" I thought it a good idea, since the one we have is old, and the handle is falling apart), cat food, and then a stop at Trader Joe's, since they have opened a new store in Maple Grove. I got some dried frut and trail mix for our backpacking trip, and some assorted other things you can only get at TJ's that I love (like chicken sausages!)

Oh, yeah, and after we got home, I did something like 7 loads of laundry.

I have more traveling this week - this time to exotic LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Ta
~a

I knew something was off...

I went on a long run this morning.

And I ran the whole thing. I am very proud of myself. But, there was a fly in the ointment. I ran what I figured was a 10 mile route. Yep. 10 miles. Running. Me. Amazing, is it not?

But the fly: If it was 10 miles, I would have been doing 10 minute miles, since my time for said route was 1 hour and 40 minutes (well, and 59 seconds, if you want to be exact). I know I don't run that fast without pushing myself.

So I re-mapped the route. Turns out it is only 9.57 miles. Only. Would you listen to me? You might think I am a super-dedicated runner!

But, I have never run the whole route before. And I don't ever remember running that far, without any walking, at any time in my life. And the best thing: I'm not dead tired, and it was a pretty easy run. Methinks I am getting in shape. And another good news story - if you figure it out, it's about 10 and a half minute miles - which I still consider to be awesome.

On that note, I'm off to run some errands - I need to get flowers for my grandmother and mother for mother's day, from my sister, of course... I have better gifts!

Ta
~a

Bereavement leave

Is is wrong that I asked for two days off of work for my step-father-in-law's funeral and internment?

Yesterday with the visitation and funeral, I really had to take the day off. Today, the internement is at 1pm. But I took the day off.

The funeral yesterday was odd, to say the least. Not that the ceremony was anything unusual, but just the assortment of people, Frank's (SFIL) kids, my Mother-in-law and her relatives. I guess I did not know him very well, and he was Eric's second stepfather - SFIL and MIL have been married about 9 years. But, as things go, of course my MIL was sitting in the front row. So we sat with her - I felt like I was userping his kids... why was I in the front, when his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren were sitting behind me.

And I learned things about my SFIL - I always thought he really was kind of boring, he liked to talk to you and not say much, but he was very active in a number of historical groups, and within the community when his kids were growing up. If I had known about that, perhaps I would have been more interested in talking to him when we went to visit them. But, I guess you just get cranky, and tired of telling the same stories when you get older.

I have been taking advantage of my free time the last two days to get in some running. Yesterday's run was great. I ran 5 miles in just over 50 minutes.

Today's run was another story. I think I ate too many bars at the funeral lunch, 'cause I was just not feeling it today. 6 miles today took me about an hour and 10 minutes. I will say I walked a fair portion of it.

Tomorrow it is back to work. I most likely will head out tonight, to make meetings that are tomorrow morning.

Yep, back to real life.
~a

An interesting weekend

I'm glad that I decided to take Friday off of running, I think my body needed the rest!

Instead, my hubby and I went out to a Jaycees happy hour, and had some good food and fun drinks. And then it was home and in bed by 10:30pm. Yep, in case you were wondering, we are "old"!

Eric had a really neat event that he was volunteering at at 7am Saturday morning - something they call the "Vet's Home Opener" where they bring a trout pond, stocked with trout to the Veteran's home, and let them fish, then their catch is prepared as shore lunch. They get to invite their grandkids to the event, and have a grand old time fishing. I guess this event is something that they talk about all year, and something that they anticipate greatly. I just think it's a heck of a nice event.

Also, Saturday morning, I got up and met my running group for a run. I had 7 miles on my schedule, but ended up doing about 8 - it was an out and back route, and I got distracted by the conversation we were having on the run... but it was comfortable running for most of the way, even if we were doing somewhere around 10:30 miles

I came back home to a message on the machine from Eric's mother - his stepfather passed away somethime on Friday night or Saturday morning. He had been diagnosed with Stomach/Liver/Pancreatic cancer about three weeks ago, and they estimated he had about 4-6 months left to live. I suspect he just gave up. He was 81, and an Air Force veteran. If you are interested, this is the Obituary.

Eric ended up going out to a local place with a group of people that were working the event with him, and at about 3:00 when I called him to see what was up, he said he had just ordered food and a root beer, as he needed to sober up before heading home... evidently someone had paid for the first $150 of their bar bill...

So I headed out without him, to meet some of my friends to eat Mexican food at a place on their patio, and to have a DosEquis. Then back to my friend's house to chit chat... I ended up getting home around 10:45, to my husband laying on the bed, across the pillows at the top of the bed, sound asleep. I had to wake him up to move - I told him he had to move, or I was not going to sleep with him! It just made me laugh!

Sunday, I met a friend of mine to go for a hike with our 30+ pound packs, to get in some miles with the weight we will be carrying on Isle Royale. We actually went the same place I had gone running the day before, since I thought it was a pretty decent location. It was sure windy though - we ended up doing about 6 miles, but we were getting really concerned on the way back, with the wind gusting like it was... wondering if some of the trees there were getting ready to topple. I guess they measured some gusts at the airport (which we were quite close to there ) at 53 miles per hour.

And coming back to our vehicles... it appears that some bastard backed into my car, and dented the driver side rear wheel well. And didn't have the curtosy to leave a note or anything. My pretty red Jetta is now damaged. It really sucks. Well, probably not as much as Jessica's experience, but I don't know who did it, I have to be mad at an unnamed ahole.

So a mix of good and bad.

Par for the course, right?
~a

Just under 9 minutes

Met up with Jess to run the Twin Cities One Mile race last night. It was actually pretty fun, although there were almost too many people at the starting line - much craziness ensued as the police kept trying to clear all of the runners lined up out of the street so that traffic could go through.

So my time was a little slower than last year (9 seconds according to my watch) but at least my leg didn't cramp up on me.

And I am registered for the marathon. (gasp!)

This is just a quickie, as I need to get to work, but I wanted to post the pic!

~a

Dilated

I went to the eye doctor today. One, because I had not been since October of 2005. Two, because I have a "floater" in my right eye that I wanted to be checked out. I kept seeing this thing that looked like a fuzz when I moved my eye. So the deal is, sometimes the proteins in the vitrious fluid clump up, then you see these strange spots. It's pretty harmless, but annoying all the same.

The good news is that I am noticing it less - perhaps it is breaking up somewhat or my mind is getting used to it and compensating.

But, they had to dilate my pupils to get a good look at it. And I am wearing sunglasses in my office, otherwise the overhead lights are painful, and the white papers on my cubicle wall have these strange halos. Let's hope nobody thinks they need to drug test me (not that I am worried about the outcome!)

I made myself real popular at work this week... I went out into the field to observe a supervisor and employees, and the employees are now all cranky because I am telling them what the rules are, and that the supervisors are expected to enforce them. "But we've been doing it that way for xxx amount of time!" Yeah, doesn't make it right now, does it.

I went for a 5 mile run last night, and it really kind of sucked. I was into it for the first two miles (in about 20:30) but then I started getting a little lightheaded. I had eaten a farily large lunch (chicken, flour tortilla, cheese, refried beans, spanish rice), so I ended up walking about 5 minutes or so. I finished in a little over 55 minues, so it wasn't terrible, but not like the 3 miles I did in just over 30 min the day before.

And today I think I have discovered the reason - I tend to tank a bit with my exercise when I am getting my period. Glad to know it wasn't since I about killed myself trying to do too much last weekend.

Tonight I get to meet Jess for the TC 1 Mile race that kicks off the Marathon registration. It starts with the first Mile!

ta
~a

Tired on top of tired

That was pretty much my weekend....

And last week was long, too.

Yeah, so I was in Chicago for three days last week, but at least the hotel I was staying in had a 24-hour exercise room. I did manage to get up both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to run. 4 on Tuesday, 6 on Wednesday. Although I must say, I was definately wearing the wrong clothes on Wednesday. (Beware, this might be TMI) Chafing sucks. I mean, really. The shorts I was wearing kept riding up, and my thighs chafed (this is why I run in spandex...) but the sports bra I was wearing had a seam that chafed too... So sore boob and crotch, wonderful... and a whole day of instruction ahead of me (I was teaching a class) and then a plane ride to boot.

For the weekend, we were doing some spring cleanup/planting at a community center in St. Paul. My husband and I were running the project, and needed to be there at the 8am start. So, I decided it would be best to run before that... 5 miles (no biggie, right?) So run, 3 hours of gardening, then home. Where I decided since we were in the mode, I wanted to do something with our yard. So I cleared out the leaves and weeded the peonies, removed leaves from the window wells, and from the bushes and the ferns, amongst some other things... while Eric worked on wrapping a chain around the stumps of the bushes he cut down last year using the truck.

Yeah, I was tired that night after 5 miles, and about 8 hours of gardening stuff. So what did I do on Sunday for an encore?

Well of course, I got up and went for a run. I mapped out a route that was 9 miles (4.5 out then back). All well and good, but it turns out the Gateway Trail is under construction, and detoured. Since I don't have a gadget that tells me how far I run, I went to my originally planned turn-around point. And mapped what I had done after I got home. I went 9.5 miles. And it was hard, I ended up doing about 12 minute miles with the walking/water breaks.

And for an afternoon activity? We mulched the flower beds and the lilac bushes.

Yeah, I slept well.

And for this week? Believe it or not, I don't have any travel plans (unlike the last 3 weeks). The only thing I really have scheuled is the Twin Cities 1-Mile race on Thursday, where I plan to register for the Marathon.

I'm both excited, and scared at the same time.

So that's what's up.
~a

11 minute miles

Yep, writing about running again....

Just got home from my run this morning. It was actually quite relaxing. I didn't push myself, and ran what felt comfortable. I did my 7 miles this morning in an hour and 17 minutes. Nice, relaxed, 11 minute miles. It was actually kind of strange, because I was trying to work on my breathing, and I never really felt all that out of breath or that I was breathing too heavy.

I ran from my house, and around Lake Phalen. There were quite a number of people there, and I kept seeing all of these folks with University of Minnesota sweatshirts on bicycles... it appears that the were having a rowing (or is it crew) competition there. It was kind of neat watching the teams on the boats in the lake. And talk about some "buff" women!

Also, as I was running around the lake, I was pleased to see a man wearing a certain T-shirt - for the Labor Payne 5K race. Our Jaycee chapter is the one that started and runs that race. I was actually the one that came up with the name, it is on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and it is run with the sponsorship of the Payne-Arcade Business Association. But it was neat to see someone actually wearing our race T-shirt.

Anyway, I need to get showered and ready - I am going down to Mankato with a group of Jaycees for the Mankato Jaycee's "Walkabout" which is a bar hop. It was a lot of fun last year, and I am looking forward to the same tonight. I plan to wear a "dangerous" outfit, as my husband likes to describe it - he told me I should wear a turtleneck instead, since he will not be there... but I like the compliments and the flirting too much!

Ta!
~a

40:26

Ran 4 miles this afternoon. In just over 40 minutes. I thought I had started out too fast, but I continued on, even up the long hill... makes me feel good! That close to 10 minute miles.

I didn't run yesterday, as I had a lovely drive back from Thief River Falls, and a friend of Eric's had given him tickets to the Timberwolves game for the eveining... so I pushed it to get home, and my legs were pretty much screaming at me for driving for so long without much for stretch breaks. I hate it when that happens.

Oh, and the game was actually pretty boring. The arena was pretty sparse, and it was their last game of the season, and they are not in the playoffs. The couple next to us were discussing how they were kind of glad that the season was over, so a fresh start could be made. And to prove how dull the game was... I said something to Eric in the third quarter, and getting no reply, I looked over and he was asleep! I guess we are an old married couple!

It's been kind of a blah day, and I really needed that run to get me in a better mood. I feel like I need something like the couple sitting next to us mentioned last night - a fresh start. Things at work are just getting me kind of down, and I need to work on turning that around. I think that part of it stems from the fact that I have been there for almost 11 years (gasp!) and I have been kind of treading water, doing just what I needed to and not much more. It needs to change, I want to be more excited to go to work. What that means I don't know....

Enough about me, how are you all doing?
~a

yay me

Yep. just a Woo hoo carrots kind of moment.

Traveling, and nice outside, and I got done with work, and went out on my run. It ended up being about 3.25 miles. 36 minutes. So, about 11 minute miles.

I'm trying to decide if I want to go out with my work folks tonight, or just veg in my room, and work on my goals for the year, as my boss will be in town to meet with me on Thursday.

Off to get unsweaty... in other words shower.

ta!
~a

you do the Hokey Polky...

and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about!

Friday was great. I ended up running 5 miles instead of the 4 that I had planned. Yep, and I ran the whole thing! I didn't do the best job of stretching, because after that I was getting ready for my girlfriends to come over... shower, over to Papa Murphy's to pick up pizza, stop at the liquor store for more beer, picking up the house.

We had fun on Friday eve. I made two pizzas, and we ate and drank light margaritas (sugar-free margarita mix - 10 calories per 4 ounces) chit-chatted at the dining room table for a while, then we all dipped our hands in the paraffin wax bath, and some did our nails. And we sat in the living room playing "I never". It was just very relaxing, and catching up with girlfriends. I was up until 2am.

I decided after the late night, there was no way I was going to get up and go running with the group at 8am. So I slept until I felt like getting up, then I started working on painting the accent wall that is shared by our living room and dining room. Eric bought the paint about a year ago, so it was about time! I emptied out the hutch and my curio cabinet, moved those out of the way, scrubbed the walls, taped, and painted two coats of "tomato bisque" paint on the wall.

Yep, so that was pretty much my day. I have been loosely following a half-marathon training program, and the long run for Saturday was supposed to be 8 miles. I was kind of thinking after the 5 on Friday, I would do 3 on Saturday... but with the painting that just did not happen.

So Sunday, I pulled out my waist belt with the water bottle holder, and set out. I ran 8 miles on Sunday.

Can I say that again. I RAN 8 MILES.

I have a couple of routes measured out from my house, but none of them are 8 miles, so I did a 5 mile loop, then a 3 mile loop.

And except for a small walk break after about 6.5 miles to take a drink of water (about 50 feet), I ran the whole thing. I ran the 5 mile loop first, and it was real tempting to call that good enough. But I don't want good enough. So I persevered. I was tired at the end, but it was all good.

This week is my turn-about. After a week of "eh" eating and not tracking things, I am back at it, notebook in hand, running schedule on a post-it on my computer. I will be traveling again this week, but I am not going to let that stand in my way.

Onward and downward.

~a

On again, off again

So I have weeks of great exercise and eating. And I have some not so great weeks of exercise and eating.

This was a not so great week. It started out with Easter. It would have been okay, if not for all of the "appetizers" that my MIL had out. Brie with slices of pear and apple. Shrimp and coctail sauce. Kettle chips. Cheese and crackers.

The meal was fine - I ate a small portion of scalloped potatos, carrots, peas, cucumber salad, and a roll. I don't do ham, which was the only meat that she prepared. Which is just fine with me.

Then there werethe deserts. And the Easter Candy. And too many Jelly Beans.

I also took a handful of jelly beans home with me, to eat that evening.

And I think that set the tone for the week. It really was an "eh" week. Monday, after I did 30 minutes on the NordicTrack, Eric and I went to the Jaycees board meeting to present a project, and I really did not want to cook and was hungry, so we went from there to the Chinese buffet by our house.

Tuesday, I had lunch out, and a long day, so dinner was pizza rolls and ice cream.

Wednesday, was driving to Enderlin, ND, then talking to folks there, and train rides. I did have some food packed, but they were having an employee appreciation cookout, so I ate potato chips, and baked beans for lunch. And for an afternoon snack. (They had bratwurst... but since I don't eat them...) I managed to get into my hotel at 8:30 pm. The good news was that I did have a "lean" frozen dinner with me that I heated in their microwave and that was dinner.

Thursday, I got up in the morning, and headed to the exercise room to discover that someone else was on the treadmill. So I did the stairclimber for about 25 minutes until she was done, then ran about a mile. Breakfast was fruit, and a large bagel with cream cheese. Lunch was a salad with real cheese and regular dressing. I did limit my driving home (4.5 hours) snacks to a 100 calorie pack, but then when I got home, I ate tortilla chips, with cheese and salsa...

I kind of decided that I wasn't going to count points this week. And I haven't.

I have had a couple of good moments:

1. The two things I bought from the gas station convenience stores on my trip were: a slim fast optima bar, and a Sobe Lean. No chips, gardettos, etc, etc.
2. I stopped at a Wal-Mart to get some snacks (and use the restroom), and did not buy any clearance easter candy... I got flavored water, and ritz mix 100 calorie packs.
3. I started drinking a can of regular pop (root beer) on Wednesday, and ended up pouring out most of it, after I drank what I wanted
4. The scale this morning said I weighed the same as last Friday, even though it was up a couple of pounds on Tuesday. (????) Although I'm not sure how that happened.
5. I turned down a cookie at lunch on Thursday. I gave it to someone else, because I didn't really want it.

And that's about the sum total for the week. Hopefully next week I can convince myself to be "on again", and to lose some more weight.

On another note - Eric is out of town for the weekend, so I have decided that I needed some girl time... I am hosting a slumber party tonight at my house. I have light margarita mix, baked tortilla chips, and I am planning on getting some Papa Murphy's de-Light pizzas. And I have a 4-mile run planned for this afternoon before folks come over. It will be a night of "dishing, chick flicks, makeovers, and adult beverages." I am really looking forward to it!

Ta!

~a

Rain, Snow, go away...

I wanted to go for a run last night. But on my way home it was literally crap falling on my vehicle - rain mixed with snow.

I had already had a bit of a shock to my system on Saturday, when I went for a run with my group. We ran in the rain/drizzle in the 40 degree weather. Really not what I was used to after a week in Florida. I probably did not run as far as I should have to stay with the training program I am following right now - I am doing a half-marathon training... we'll see if I actually run the race since it's a week after I get back from Isle Royale, but my friend told me she would like me to run with her, and you can register the day of the race.

Sunday, I met up with the two friends that are going to Isle Royale with me, and we hiked hills wearing our packs. We logged about 6 miles. In the drizzle. And I was tired and STARVING when I was done. After I got showered and warmed up, we went to a friend's suprise birthday party (well, we got there after the suprise). The strange thing is, with all of the exercise I have been doing, alcoholic beverages just do not sound good at all. I was noticing that in Florida too.

Anyway (okay quite the ramble today) yesterday my training schedule said a 5 mile run was on the schedule. No way in hell I was going to run outside. So I did manage to motivate myself to do 60 minutes (and 6 miles) on my NordicTrack. Yay me! I have to admit that I seriously considered skipping the workout, but I preservered, and did it.

Yep. That's about what's going on. It's COLD here today (wind chill makes it feel like about 5 degrees F) and we will see what it looks like this afternoon when I get home. It might just be another NordicTrack afternoon.

I did pull out some Flounder out of the freezer for dinner tonight, but the fridge is looking pretty bare, since I have not hit the grocery store since before I went on vacation, and heaven forbid my husband should go shopping... unless he wanted something right at that minute... so that is what I have planned for this evening.

I just wish it would warm up some!
~a

Vacation

And, I'm back.

It was a good week of relaxation. And exercise, actually.... I went running most every morning with the sun rising.

Let's see, the short recap:

Friday, my flight got in at 10:45pm, and my parents picked me up at the airport in Tampa, then we drove to their RV which they have in a park in Ruskin. Bedtime!

Saturday, we got up and went for a walk around the park to look for alligators. A visit to the citrus ranch, some lunch, shopping, a dip in the pool, then dinner, then over to the neighbor's 5th wheel to watch a movie.

Sunday, a 4 mile run, off to Church, pancakes, a float in the pool, an afternoon walk to look for alligators (we saw 7!) dinner, then off to their friend's condo to watch the sunset on the beach. I got some great pictures!

Monday, a walk with my parents around the park. Water aerobics in the pool with all of the "old" folks, then floating in the pool until lunch. Then, we drove over the bay bridge to enjoy a beach near St. Petersburg, where we got to walk and pick up some shells, then bake in the sun, and cool off in the bay/ocean.

Tuesday, a 2 mile run, on the tour bus to the orchid green house, then a winery tour. Back at about 3pm, to a "cocktail" party.

Wednesday, a 5 1/2 mile run, then walked another mile or so. Breakfast, then off to see if we could see some Manitees in the inlet by the power plant... no such luck. Then to the friend's condo to visit, and there were 3 manitees in the canal behind their condo that we got to watch. Back to the park to float in the pool. Dinner out at an Italian Restaurant (I got grouper for my entre) then we watched the sunset on another beach close to there.

Thursday, a 4 mile run, a relaxing shower and getting ready (while the others were at water aerobics), lunch out on a deck overlooking the water (we saw a pink flamingo fly by!) and Shopping until we dropped! Out to a local watering hole for dinner, then I got everything packed up for me to catch an early flight home Friday morning, then out in the evening air, having drinks and chatting with all of the neighbors.

Not lots and lots of activity, but that is just what I wanted. The only down side was that I got hives on my arms from too much sun exposure - they started on Wednesday evening, and they are still bothering me. Thank goodness for benadryl cream!