Sam made this track with the alphabet magnets on our fridge yesterday. He is SO cute, isn't he?
Monday, November 11, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Two Miles!
Remember how on Sunday I ran 1.7 miles straight? Well, this afternoon I did 2.0 miles! To be honest, I'm not sure that I have ever in my entire life run two miles without stopping. My pace was still 5mph (12 minute miles), but I ran for 24 minutes--another personal record--so I'm not disappointed. At this point, I'm working on endurance more than speed anyway.
For most of the run I was in "the zone". (I finally know what that is now!) I was sort of singing along--in a gaspy sort of way--to the songs on my MP3 player. The sun broke through the clouds behind me, casting everything in a golden light. I watched leaves flutter freely to the ground. A couple of birds soared over my head. Most of the run was like that.
The last three blocks were the hardest. I could see the end, but it felt so far away!
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
When I crossed my imaginary finish line, I think I would have done a little dance if I hadn't been so busy trying to keep my lunch down.
Note to self: Never eat two big tacos for lunch on running days.
For most of the run I was in "the zone". (I finally know what that is now!) I was sort of singing along--in a gaspy sort of way--to the songs on my MP3 player. The sun broke through the clouds behind me, casting everything in a golden light. I watched leaves flutter freely to the ground. A couple of birds soared over my head. Most of the run was like that.
The last three blocks were the hardest. I could see the end, but it felt so far away!
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
When I crossed my imaginary finish line, I think I would have done a little dance if I hadn't been so busy trying to keep my lunch down.
Note to self: Never eat two big tacos for lunch on running days.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Ten-and-a-Half
I did my weekly weigh-in this morning, and I was curious to see how my great (for me) run yesterday would reflect on the scale. I was hoping to see 146, but it read 144.5! I realize that some of that unexpected loss may be water weight, but I don't care. I'm takin' it! I'm up to 10.5 pounds lost now, and I've officially dropped to a size 8. I tried on a pair of jeans that I bought at Goodwill to be my "goal jeans". They're the same make and model of size 10's that I usually wear. They slipped right up!
When (not if) I hit 140, I'll be down to what I was before I was pregnant with Emma. I was 25 then.
If (not when) I hit 135, I would be at my wedding day weight. That was 20 years ago next month.
Weird thing is, my wedding dress was a size 10. Either sizes have changed (what used to be an 8 is now a 10), or I have more muscle mass for my size now than I used to. I hope it's the latter.
When (not if) I hit 140, I'll be down to what I was before I was pregnant with Emma. I was 25 then.
If (not when) I hit 135, I would be at my wedding day weight. That was 20 years ago next month.
Weird thing is, my wedding dress was a size 10. Either sizes have changed (what used to be an 8 is now a 10), or I have more muscle mass for my size now than I used to. I hope it's the latter.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Run Like the Wind
I'm not really a runner, but I want to be a runner. Not sure why. I think I've just always looked up to people who ran consistently. It seems to me that it takes a lot of self-discipline, and I've always admired that quality in folks.
I also would really like to have runner's legs. (I know. I'm so deep.)
In early summer I finally ran a mile straight without dying, and I was planning on running often throughout the summer with an August 5K in view. Well, the 5K didn't fit with our camp schedule, and once that fell off my calendar, I lost my motivation.
When the kids started swimming lessons this fall, it was fairly easy for me to get a run in on the treadmill a couple of times a week while Lydia was in the pool. So, that first five-week session I did two runs (walk/runs, really) and one day on the exercise bike (at home) per week. This five-week session, Lydia's class got cancelled due to low enrollment. None of the other class times worked with our schedule. Therefore, I haven't had a decent workout in three weeks.
Enter today....
After cleaning out the mini-van for two hours (seriously), I decided to go for a walk before it got dark. I was warm enough when I was vigorously vacuuming the van (nice alliteration, eh?), but once I got out on the trail, I was freezing. It was 45 degrees, and there was a pretty chilly wind in my face. But then, I ran like the wind. I ran for 20 consecutive minutes. Twenty. And it wasn't even that hard. Weird. Looking back, I think I was simply trying to get warm. My pace was pretty slow--5 mph--but I ran for about 1.7 miles, so that's a new record for me. And I can only get faster from here.
Watch out runner's legs. Here I come. *wink*
I also would really like to have runner's legs. (I know. I'm so deep.)
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| Disclaimer: These are not my legs. |
In early summer I finally ran a mile straight without dying, and I was planning on running often throughout the summer with an August 5K in view. Well, the 5K didn't fit with our camp schedule, and once that fell off my calendar, I lost my motivation.
When the kids started swimming lessons this fall, it was fairly easy for me to get a run in on the treadmill a couple of times a week while Lydia was in the pool. So, that first five-week session I did two runs (walk/runs, really) and one day on the exercise bike (at home) per week. This five-week session, Lydia's class got cancelled due to low enrollment. None of the other class times worked with our schedule. Therefore, I haven't had a decent workout in three weeks.
Enter today....
After cleaning out the mini-van for two hours (seriously), I decided to go for a walk before it got dark. I was warm enough when I was vigorously vacuuming the van (nice alliteration, eh?), but once I got out on the trail, I was freezing. It was 45 degrees, and there was a pretty chilly wind in my face. But then, I ran like the wind. I ran for 20 consecutive minutes. Twenty. And it wasn't even that hard. Weird. Looking back, I think I was simply trying to get warm. My pace was pretty slow--5 mph--but I ran for about 1.7 miles, so that's a new record for me. And I can only get faster from here.
Watch out runner's legs. Here I come. *wink*
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Emma's 16th Birthday
We don't do "friend parties" every year for our kids. Frankly, it's a lot of work that results in organized chaos, and the kid gets a bunch of presents that they may or may not care about. We've limited friend parties to ages 7, 10, 13, and 16.
For Emma's 16th birthday (a couple of weeks ago), I gave her the choice of a friend party OR...a weekend with me in Green Bay. She chose me! I felt really honored.
After dinner, we checked into our room at Fairfield Inn. It was really nice, and the staff was so accommodating. We got a discount on our room, so we were able to afford a king room with a couch. Here's Emma enjoying said couch.
For Emma's 16th birthday (a couple of weeks ago), I gave her the choice of a friend party OR...a weekend with me in Green Bay. She chose me! I felt really honored.
After dinner, we checked into our room at Fairfield Inn. It was really nice, and the staff was so accommodating. We got a discount on our room, so we were able to afford a king room with a couch. Here's Emma enjoying said couch.
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| Light Blue Gatorade & Cheetos ~ Emma's Faves |
We went for a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub after we got settled. The pool wasn't very big--only four strokes across--but it felt good to be in the water. (I need to start swimming laps again.) The hot tub was...hot.
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| Squeaky Clean |
We had some snacks and watched a few episodes of American Pickers. All I can say is, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." A few things they found were pretty neat, but I wouldn't pay what they were planning to ask for retail prices on even the neat stuff.
The hotel had a lovely, complimentary, hot breakfast. Great coffee, too--even the decaf I had the night before was good.
Then...shopping. We are not mall people. I mean, I knew that about myself already, but I wanted for Emma to figure out how exhausting, overstimulating, and expensive malls are all on her own. She did. We had lunch at the food court and then wandered around in and out of various stores. I did see something that tickled my fancy. Well, really it just made me laugh. Out loud. I was crying.
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| The laughingstock of the dog and pumpkin communities. |
With yet an hour left to kill before our evening activity, we were done. We found a Culver's outside of the mall and ate some frozen custard while we chatted for a little while. Quiet. Comfy. Delicious.
The finale of of our weekend was an evening at the Cup o' Joy--a Christian Music Venue in Green Bay. They mostly have music groups and open mic nights, but they occasionally have comedians too. We saw a guy named Daren Strebelow, a Christian comedian from Minnesota. He used to work on Disney cruise lines. Not quite Tim Hawkins, but still pretty funny, and a lot less expensive.
The next day was Emma's actual birthday. Instead of a cake, she just wanted some peanut butter cookies.
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| Yum.... |
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| This is Emma's special cat plate that I got in Door County a few years ago. (I bet you're so jealous, Craig.) |
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| Happy 16th birthday, Emma! = ) |
Monday, October 7, 2013
Hi, 21st Century. Sorry I'm late!
Lydia has swimming lessons on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. She likes for me to stay in the building with her, so I run/walk on the treadmill in the little--and I mean little--weight room while she's in the pool. My MP3 player was lost for all of summer, and I finally found it in the strangest place--the very basket where it belongs. I swear I looked in there four different times. Either it's so tiny that I missed it every stinkin' time, or...someone's messing with me.
Anyway, I've been taking ye olde CD player with me for my workouts. I set it up on the magazine rack of the treadmill, and it's fine there for when I'm walking. When I run, though, the music starts skipping like a flat rock on a smooth pond. I end up holding it in my hand like a big doofus, and I can really only pump one arm while I run. So, you can imagine how pleased I was to find that MP3 player.
In the past, Dave has uploaded songs and podcasts onto that baby for me, but I wanted to see if I could do it myself. Last night...TA DA!!! I ripped a CD onto my laptop and then uploaded the album onto my MP3 player all by myself. AND, I did it all without getting frustrated and/or crying/yelling at my laptop!
Today, our worship pastor emailed to ask if I'd sing during the offering on Sunday (he'll be out of town). Formerly, I'd need enough time to order an accompaniment track from Christianbook.com or someplace and have it mailed to me. But today, with my new confidence in all things digital, I downloaded the album and then burned it onto a CD (my first time!) in about 15 minutes. Again, no crying or yelling whatsoever.
What's next for this technology maven...? My new skills have me feeling like this....
Anyway, I've been taking ye olde CD player with me for my workouts. I set it up on the magazine rack of the treadmill, and it's fine there for when I'm walking. When I run, though, the music starts skipping like a flat rock on a smooth pond. I end up holding it in my hand like a big doofus, and I can really only pump one arm while I run. So, you can imagine how pleased I was to find that MP3 player.
In the past, Dave has uploaded songs and podcasts onto that baby for me, but I wanted to see if I could do it myself. Last night...TA DA!!! I ripped a CD onto my laptop and then uploaded the album onto my MP3 player all by myself. AND, I did it all without getting frustrated and/or crying/yelling at my laptop!
Today, our worship pastor emailed to ask if I'd sing during the offering on Sunday (he'll be out of town). Formerly, I'd need enough time to order an accompaniment track from Christianbook.com or someplace and have it mailed to me. But today, with my new confidence in all things digital, I downloaded the album and then burned it onto a CD (my first time!) in about 15 minutes. Again, no crying or yelling whatsoever.
What's next for this technology maven...? My new skills have me feeling like this....
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Easy Being Green
Yesterday I cleaned at camp for about seven hours--in the rain. Okay, so I was indoors for most of it, but I was cleaning four different buildings and had to carry my cleaning supplies from one place to another. Since my tennis shoes were caked with wet sand and dirt, I ended up removing them as soon as I entered each cabin. My feet were freezing, but at least I wasn't undoing my hard work--or adding to it.
Today's weather was a most welcome change. It started out wet (leftovers from yesterday), but by the time church was out we had blue skies and temps in the mid-60's. Nice.
Knowing we don't have too many more days like this before the cold sets in (I saw gobs of geese headed south yesterday), I decided to make the most of today by actually walking to the grocery store. We have this nice little local market about a half mile from our house. Their regular prices are slightly high, but sale prices are great. I shop the flyer.
I bought a grocery cart some time ago, but all I'd ever used it for before was library books. (You know you're a homeschooler when...the biggest tote you own isn't large enough to use for returning your library items.) Today, my grocery cart appropriately held groceries. Dave calls it my "Granny Cart".
Yeah...yeah. There's one plastic bag in there, but we'll reuse it in a small trash can later.
The main reason I went for this walk was to get some exercise. I've lost eight pounds in the last eight weeks, but I've got seven more to go. Today would've been a perfect day for a run; however, I had too many chores left on my to-do list since camp gobbled up my Saturday. I thought that walking to the store would kill two birds with one stone. Isn't it ironic that my "healthy" walk brought back 36 cans of Mountain Dew? (Just focus on the bananas and Clementines, if you will.)
Edited to add this disclaimer:
Normally I drive my mini-van two miles to Walmart and bring home at least a dozen plastic bags. It was "Easy Being Green" today since the weather was so nice and I didn't have to buy a million things.
Today's weather was a most welcome change. It started out wet (leftovers from yesterday), but by the time church was out we had blue skies and temps in the mid-60's. Nice.
 |
| Our neighbor's tree with a clear blue sky backdrop |
Knowing we don't have too many more days like this before the cold sets in (I saw gobs of geese headed south yesterday), I decided to make the most of today by actually walking to the grocery store. We have this nice little local market about a half mile from our house. Their regular prices are slightly high, but sale prices are great. I shop the flyer.
 |
| 42% ? That's a new personal record!!! |
I bought a grocery cart some time ago, but all I'd ever used it for before was library books. (You know you're a homeschooler when...the biggest tote you own isn't large enough to use for returning your library items.) Today, my grocery cart appropriately held groceries. Dave calls it my "Granny Cart".
 |
| Walking + Reusable Shopping Bag + Cart = Green |
Yeah...yeah. There's one plastic bag in there, but we'll reuse it in a small trash can later.
The main reason I went for this walk was to get some exercise. I've lost eight pounds in the last eight weeks, but I've got seven more to go. Today would've been a perfect day for a run; however, I had too many chores left on my to-do list since camp gobbled up my Saturday. I thought that walking to the store would kill two birds with one stone. Isn't it ironic that my "healthy" walk brought back 36 cans of Mountain Dew? (Just focus on the bananas and Clementines, if you will.)
Edited to add this disclaimer:
Normally I drive my mini-van two miles to Walmart and bring home at least a dozen plastic bags. It was "Easy Being Green" today since the weather was so nice and I didn't have to buy a million things.
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