Change

It's funny. Sometimes I don't blog because I don't have anything new to say. In other instances, I don't blog because I struggle with the quality of my writing. In some cases, I am an absentee blogger because I am mired in the posts of social media. This is not a time like those.

My One Little Word for this year is "light". It should probably be "change" or "new".  It seems like I have had a lot of changes lately. This odd phenomena started when I had a mole removed. As silly as it sounds, it was a big change. I've had it all my life, on my right cheek, right up on the cheekbone. My mom once had an identical mole on the opposite side of her face-we had mirror-image moles. She had her mole removed when it got to be quite large. I did the same-bigger than a new pencil's eraser. It wasn't a "cancerous" mole, my dermatologists said. However, it would keep getting bigger, and my face is small, so it was quite noticeable. Once it was removed, it felt like a big change.

I also worked on another aesthetic change-getting my teeth fixed. I had braces from 8-12+ grade. I had them removed before my senior pictures, and replaced for a few months after my freshman year in college, but they didn't do permanent retainers, when they removed braces, then. I had the plastic kind that slipped over your teeth. Once I was expecting my first daughter, and had some morning sickness, I stopped wearing them. My teeth slowly moved out of their perfect places. However, over the last few years, they have moved exponentially faster and got harder and harder to clean due to their proximity to one another. So, I started the Invisalign procedure. I am so excited for the final product.

Sad vs happy changes... My big dog passed away and then we got a puppy-Quite big changes in the pet department. Both big changes to my heart, as well.

Changes in my profession also sailed along. I officially accepted the fact that I was moving away from teaching, cleaning and sorting my supplies. I stayed put in the realm of funeral coordinator. I still have that job, and happily, it's been a slow business lately-knock on wood. With that freed time, I wondered... "what else?" My house is quiet, when I'm not working on teaching Morgan commands, and even then, it is only I who speak. I started researching how to make my husband better at social media for his business posts. I found I really enjoyed the topic, reading and learning about business. Who knew? :) I talked with two women I knew in the business field, who knew me-my first "networking" appointments. They were adamant that I could make the transition. My husband had been saying this for a long time, but he's married to me so he has to say nice things, right? ;) I also set up a meeting with one of his partners, on my own, and spoke with him. He was in agreement. They are meeting about possibilities of me helping out in a more permanent capacity with their company. We will see what changes come from that. In the process, I am reading several books about marketing, mainly in the social media realm, and business analysis. This would be a huge change.

We are making changes in our home, as well. We had some companies look into remodeling, and after pondering the choices, we are building a new home. It won't be done until May or June and it is only about two blocks from where we currently live, but will have such better use of space. I am incredibly delighted. I have no reservations about this or the occupational jump. They both feel like the right steps to make right now. The right changes to make.

One last change that is fairly big for me, and then I will stop for tonight. I have always loved running. Long story short, over the last two summers of half-marathon training, I have battled injuries. I haven't given myself time to heal. This year's half was slower than I'd hoped and was by no means a personal record. However, I finished. Normally the thought of resting from running makes me sad and restless. This year I am going to keep running, but cut down on my milage and begin to try some other things like pilates and barre. I enjoy yoga, definitely, but am ready to try something new. With these as two new possibilities of cross training, running seems like a fun "extra". I'm hoping these will help me change my fitness level, away from the running only plateau I have put my tent up on. Once I feel successful, I know it will help me change some of my bad eating habits, too. That's how it works for me, it's all a cycle.

What changes are you experiencing these days, Reader? I hope they are good changes.

Friday

It's funny how you can be so excited about a new adventure, feeling your heart fill, and smiling a lot, and then suddenly, things change. I was enjoying posting more regularly again, and I still have a schedule of posts I'd like to write and publish. But about two weeks ago I had quite a week that threw me off a bit. On Monday of the week I speak, we found out that a family friend of my husband's had lost his 19 year old stepdaughter in a car accident. Tuesday my niece was badly burned by boiling water, with first and second degree burns on her hands, face, neck, chest and legs. She stayed in the children's hospital Tuesday through Thursday, finally getting her bandages removed a week and a day later. Wednesday we talked with someone dear to me (she hasn't mentioned all the information to all her family, thus the anonymity) let me know that some cells that had been tested were indeed breast cancer. Originally they didn't think they were anything to worry about. Then, that it was localized in the milk ducts, and then this week we have heard that it has spread and they are testing lymph nodes-proceeding quickly from a short surgery to remove ducts to at least a mastectomy... Scary stuff. Then Thursday of the week where I didn't like phone calls my daughter called from my in-laws' house to tell us they had a leaking pipe and standing water in their basement. My husband rushed over and they began to sop up the water. Over the next three days the daughters and I went over with our dehumidifier and we all took turns soaking up water from the carpet, bringing the towels home and drying them, only to return and do it again. They leak was small, and my husband was able to get it stopped by simply turning off the valve. But was something else added to that plate.

This was a week I spent deep in prayer. And I continue to be... I will be blogging more often, again. My oldest daughter has been here since Christmas and returns this weekend to her college life. It's good that she misses her friends there and her routine, but I will be sad when she isn't here anymore, sad that they days are lonely and quiet. And I will be back in prayer for her safety, as well. I have a list of things to do, though. I tried to convince my husband we needed a puppy for a while. But with the person tackling cancer, now, she would like visits and help from me. A blessing I don't have a full time job right now and I am so glad to be able to help.

I will keep you posted, dear readers.

March 12, 2012

It's interesting. When I was young, I didn't think about what I ate or how much I exercised. When I was little I was outside as much as possible. I loved running around my grandpa's property and playing the creek. Even as I got older, I started running in 1989, and I was active. I burned calories so fast that my parents encouraged me to eat a bowl of ice cream (Homemade Brand Mint Chocolate Chip or Homemade Brand Cherry Cordial were my favorites) or my mom would make me Mounds brownies. Those empty calories still disappeared. I was so thin. Even in college, when sometimes I would snack by pouring M & Ms into peanut butter jars and eating them out with a spoon, capping it off with a glass of milk, I didn't keep weight on. I had two daughters, still not gaining weight. In fact, at one point my grandmother said I looked too thin.

Only in the last three years or so did I start to realize I'm putting on weight, even as much as I run. I think about it often, now. I do run, 5 days a week, usually, but I do have bad eating habits. I haven't stuck with my Lenten goal of no snacks or wine in the evenings. Habits are hard to break. I get more and more frustrated, as I wore a short sleeved shirt yesterday and saw my arms bigger than ever before...It is hard. In my last job I was walking all around the school, I was moving a lot, all day, so that helped then. Now I sit at my desk and grade or plan, and then I head to school. I stand and move about the classroom, but not enough in other parts of the day. I get home and head for my desk and computer until my husband is ready for some tv time together, where I go and...sit...and sometimes eat crappy food.

What kind of example am I to my girls if I continue to eat poorly, snack and spend money on things that aren't good for me. We honestly didn't do that as a family until the last 5 years or so.

However... I've run marathons-pushing my body past exhausted, and half marathons leaving my body aching. I've had two daughters with no epidural. ;) My oldest-the actual pushing labor-was 18 hours and a cracked tailbone. And, yet, I did it. So, can I beat this food/weight issue? I think so. I'm still small by the average person's standards, but I'm not fit anymore. I had to buy another pair of pants this week because I didn't have very many that fit me. This lowers my self esteem. Blech. I don't like feeling like that. My family has a history of heart and weight problems, too. Something I need to tackle now.

This week's menu has been planned and most meals are pretty healthy. But I can't just eat healthier, I have to keep exercising and actually get some calories burned.

I saw a great blog here that had some good eating ideas I need to incorporate. I loved Cathy's More More Eat Less and More More Eat Well posts.

Now that I'm done sharing what is on my mind/heart, what's on yours Reader? Do you have struggles like this? Or are you finding you're in just the right spot?

February 3 2011

It was good to get back to school today. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being home with my daughters!! I was just ready to get back into our routine. During the two days off I had just about caught up on laundry and emptied and reassembled my office/den/scrapbook supplies (Phew! I'd been wanting to do that for a while!). It feels nice and clean in my office, like I can breathe and get things done! :) That is a wonderful feeling. I also got phone calls made, got the girls to the dentist, made Cathy Zelske's chicken soup... well, sort of. I didn't have the whole chicken and didn't feel like going back out to get it so I made the second step with premade chicken broth and a little bit of white wine. It turned out great! I had leftovers today for lunch and it was good reheated, also!

Speaking of food and food recipes, I think I have developed an aversion to eggs. I'm not 100% sure, so I'm going to start keeping a food journal tomorrow. The last few times I had fried eggs I got sick within an hour or two, and I mean SICK. Then I had quiche, and same response (although quiche didn't used to do that to me). I also had some yummy food at a restaurant with my husband-I didn't go crazy on the food or anything, but I got sick in about the same time frame. I was confused since I hadn't eaten any eggs so I mentioned it to my husband. He noted that I had dipped some cabbage rolls in aioli sauce... I ate all the aioli sauce... in the ingredients? Yep, raw egg. So, I'm going to do this food journal thing and see.

That's all for today. Three posts in a row. :) Hope you are well and happy, Dear Reader. :)

Beautiful Women

Hello! :)
Yesterday I tried on bathing suits. Nothing in the sizes I've worn before fit me. Nothing in the next size up. I felt chubby. I've never been in such dislike with clothing or so down on myself. I moaned and groaned, complaining about my size-which is still smaller than most women, but part of that is because I'm short. ;) My daughters and husband were with me-all shopping. I was so frustrated and continued that down-trodden feeling until I read this... http://milemarkers.runnersworld.com/2010/05/dressing-room-glass.html
At first, I read Kristin Armstrong's most recent article. I always love the honest and genuine way she writes about life and running. So, I read a few posts back and saw this one. I realized that I was showing my girls how to think about their bodies. I'm still a pretty small lady-just a winter of eating poorly, not exercising and recovering from the stress fracture have made me more plump than before, not the stick-skinny runner I've always been. And running is taking a while to fix these things-longer than it used to, because I'm getting older. I guess that is what mid-thirties begins to do to you? But my husband said I just looked "womanly" with "beautiful curves"... Not fat. Last time we visited my family, my grandmother said I was getting the family butt... then the clothes not fitting, and I was fit to be tied with the whole situation. But, then I realized that even if there's chubby in my total poundage, that's nothing to complain about! It's life and, wow, I'm ok with ME. :)
Now I need to find a way to insert that into some conversations with my daughters who will always need to know how beautiful they are... Being a beautiful woman isn't determined by our weight or what bathing suits we fit into or how we change as we get older. It's what kind of person we are and how much light we shine to others. :)

Thankful

So many things to write about in the last month. Many unrelated, many linked...

It is November and here in the states we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. It reminds us (or we try to not get bogged down with holiday visits and preparation, while remembering) to be thankful. As regular readers know, in our family, we do a thankful feather letter each year and place the feathers we receive on our gourd turkey (who is holding up nicely, even after losing his head a few years ago! :)) We have the letters sent out and have received one back thus far. Along the same lines, I read this in a friend's post on Facebook: "Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for..." The longer you do it the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it, then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what you are thankful for today." I have posted this over the last three days, which is when I first read it, along with some blessings I think of such as my health, Veterans (yesterday was Veteran's Day here in the US) and the internet which connects me to family and friends who I don't see often enough-or some of you I've never met, but am sure I would enjoy in person! :)

I felt really blessed about my health since having the flu. I wasn't tested officially, but was diagnosed with "the flu", but the symptoms weren't like any flu I've experienced, so we are figuring it was H1N1. I haven't been sick sick like that in so many years-and this kept me down for weeks! I slept but still was too exhausted to do anything. The next week I continued the cough that came with it and it developed into bronchitis! I was sick essentially for three and a half weeks! That was after rest, antibiotics and steroids! I was too week and feeling so unwell that I didn't blog or scrapbook! :) I am feeling much better now and realized that I take my good health for granted!

I was up to running four days a week and really feeling good about it until that bout with the flu/bronchitis, so I will have to start again! I did get to yoga this week which was wonderful! :)

I have been subbing in the same classroom for three weeks, a fifth grade math class, and it's been nice to build a relationship with the kids. I will be back for 7 more school days, it appears, and be done at Thanksgiving break. That has filled my days (and I had to miss two of my scheduled days due to my illness!) and I feel behind on all that needs to be done at home.

My parents came down for a visit over Halloween. It was our youngest daughter's last year for trick-or-treat. We have several people in the neighborhood who still go out for candy even older, but we don't. Our kids don't eat that much candy and enjoy giving it out to all the kids we know, so we are done with creating clever costumes. :) I always enjoyed it, but we have a time limit. :) Our youngest has discovered the "secrets of the holidays" so that is another stage of life they have grown out of. It's sad for me-but a relief, also to not have those added details.

Both girls have gotten good grades this grading period and we're proud of them! I hope they continue to enjoy school and work hard.

A neighbor of my grandparents, and a nice member of my family's community passed away this week after cancer ravaged her. Sad that she had such an awful illness. My parents said they went to the funeral home visitation in the evening and they waited an hour to get in-a line was out and around the building. They said over one visitation period 280 people signed the guestbook-and if even some of those were couples, wow! It has had me thinking that I hope I make such a connection, a difference in people's lives. Not that I feel the need for "major recognition in death!" I just mean, I hope I leave such a positive impact on people's lives, a warmth in them. Now, to remember that, who I want to be, not getting caught up in "things"... especially with the holiday chaos lurking around the corner...

Thanksgiving Blessings to you, Reader!! :)

Long Time

It's been a long time between posts, again. I've been subbing between 3 and 5 days per week every week. When I found out I wasn't going to have a full time job this fall, I thought I would have "some time off"... I even made a list of "things to do this fall". I haven't gotten to that list. It is entirely possible that I will work all the way Thanksgiving, as well.

Today was the marathon that was my goal this year. I think I set it in early 2009. Since having the stress fracture, however, I was unable to run in it. It's been about 15 weeks since I had to stop running. I have been running slowly, but surely, three times a week. The last few Saturdays I got in four miles, too. A few of those runs per week, have been with my husband. We talk about our day and vent our minor frustrations, enjoy the exercise. Today we tackled 5 miles. We actually went down to cheer on our runner friends at the marathon, and then were inspired to get a "long" run in, too. :) It was nowhere near that marathon distance... and all that rethinking I did about wanting to be a marathoner since the fracture disappeared, went away when I viewed those hard working runners. This was the first time I was at the marathon as a spectator. It think I bored my entire family with my "insight" into the feelings of the runners. In April I will be 35, a baby, I know ;), but halfway between 30 and 40, and I'm thinking of trying my third marathon... We'll see.

I watched both of our daughters compete yesterday, our youngest played soccer and then we headed to our oldest daughter's high school league cross country running meet. They both worked hard and ended the days with smiles. :) I was very proud of them-and VERY cold! It was a very windy and cold day, here, although there wasn't any snow, luckily. :)

I haven't gotten any scrapbooking in. Once I get home from being gone all day and make dinner, there's housework or laundry to do, that is more pressing. Then, when I can sit down, I'm too tired to create. I need to work on that. :) I truly enjoy being creative, preserving our families memories, so I need to add that to my "to-do" list. :)

I have been enjoying the football on tv-I love this season. :) I have also enjoyed my mac, which was a gift from my husband. I like it so much better than my old pcs.

I have cut back on coffee-I was doing well at first. I decided if another marathon was in my future, I would cut back. I went Mon-Thurs with no coffee, but then broke down grabbing a few Fri-today. I also gave up wine Mon-Wed, but also caved in... I'm working on healthier habits! Evening snacking is a big problem for me, after our kids go to bed.

I hope all of you are well, resisting any kinds of flu! So far, we've been clear, here, but I am in contact with so many kids... I hope I can resist it all winter!! :)

Still No Running

I met with the Dr. again today and he said still no running. He did say I could do a bit of biking, but I had to wear the lovely air cast/splint. I mistakenly thought "miraculous recovery" would come from him as I have had no pain. However, he squeezed it just right and I had "minimal pain, resulting in no running for three more weeks". Blech.

However, I have more to tell you about than my non-running. :)First, oldest daughter is off at her first "week long church camp". I miss her terribly, and due to their location with no cell service and calls going in or out only being emergencies, we haven't talked to her since Monday! She will be doing regular church activities like service projects, such as possibly helping people with home, etc, Bible Study, small group discussions, Worship time, etc... and then the other part of her camp is an "adventure camp" (Here I must ask REALLY? Can't your first camp experience be just going away and quietly reading or studying the Bible?? Adventure, too?? My poor mother's heart will crack, here! :) I know, Isabelle, and Molly, wait until they move away entirely... Ouch.) Anyway... by adventure I mean-these things are really on her schedule!-zip lines, white water rafting, waterfall jumping, and rock climbing! I'm sure she's having a wonderful time and is completely safe... gulp!

Meanwhile, our younger daughter has writing camp this week, all day, so she doesn't have as much time to miss her sister. :) She is at camp from 9-3:30 and takes a sack lunch. She is working on a "Writer's Idea Kit" or something like that. They have done some fun things, thus far, like a real life mystery where "detectives" come in and ask a lot of questions, find clues, etc. and then the writers/campers write their idea of what happened to the "stolen necklace". :) She's having a lot of fun!

So, yes, that means my days are "free" from 9-3:30. On Monday, my husband took the day off and we went to a city park, then the Chihuly glass exhibit at a local place-it was magnificent. Just absolutely beautiful glass works! Then we went to a later lunch, then took a nap! :) It was a wonderful day. Then Tuesday I got things done at home-nothing exciting, and yesterday I got groceries and made bread with them: 2 loaves strawberry bread, 2 loaves pumpkin bread and 2 loaves banana bread. I froze them, for when the weather is cooler. I have plans for more freezer meals, but I have to sort through the ones I want to make first so I don't have to buy 16 lbs of chicken or anything crazy! :)

Still nothing on the job-for-fall front, but I have applied for more positions and am praying on it.

I'm reading The Sunday Philosophy Club, currently. It talks about Edinburgh! And the main character's name is Isabele... coincidence? :)

Last, but not least, I won tickets to our local state fair/concert at the fair. Our local radio station had a contest, and for the first time ever, I won a contest. :)
4 tickets for Monday night! :)Something positive to start my day, for sure.

I hope you're having a winning day, too! :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope it has started off wonderfully! We kicked off 2009 at the in laws', with kids, games and yummy snacks. We spent the night there, as is the new tradition, started in '08, and then headed home after breakfast. When we returned home, I put dinner on the stove to cook: our annual meal of corned beef and cabbage. We have cabbage on New Year's because it's a superstition that if you eat cabbage on the first day of the year, it will bring you good luck all year long.
We went, later in the day, to a furniture store and ordered a new cubby/hall tree for the entry by the garage door. This is where we all enter most, and the kids drop their school bags, we all leave our shoes... etc. It gets cluttered. Thus, the hall tree. We also ordered a kitchen table and a "baker's rack" to go with our "old world" decor. We've had our table for several years, after buying it used, and it's seen better days. We will be painting the kitchen soon. The company who is making our countertop will come to make a template on Tuesday, hopefully delivering the actual counter before the estimated 5 week date, and the furniture will be delivered Wednesday.
I have ran the last two days, since my last post, albeit slowly due to the awful winds we still have. The day before yesterday I could barely open my eyes in the wind and blowing snow, so I cut the run short. Today my eyes watered, but I ran the 4.25 miles, anyway. I have ran 6 out of the last 8 days, so I'm pretty happy with that. Now if I can just quit the Starbucks... I'm going to try. :)
Made any new year's resolutions? Or picked one little word? I am using "peace" this year. Last Sunday's sermon at church was about God's peace, how to work on it, like to avoid worry (I am a huge worrywart!) pray first. So I am sad to see "Faith" go as my word, but am ready to welcome and work on peace in my life, with less worry. We'll see how it works out tomorrow, while our oldest daughter is having surgery to remove her wisdom teeth. Speaking of, please keep her in your prayers and thoughts tomorrow morning, if you can. Thank you, Lanne for the email you sent to us about that! It was so thoughtful! :) And made us smile.
I hope you all ended 2008 nicely and are headed into the new year happily and healthy! :)

Dec 20: Ouch!

I was the substitute for the class I did the longterm in, yesterday. Their winter party, a holiday movie, a book exchange, a spelling test, and wrapping their gifts for their parents meant a busy day. The kids were great, and I loved being back with them!
Then, on my way home I called my oldest, who arrives a few minutes earlier than I do, when I sub. She had been running on the treadmill, and was trying to pause the treadmill, hop off and answer the phone all at the same time. This resulted in an ouch! She fell and hit several places, with the belt still moving before the emergency key came out and stopped it. She has a raw spot on her knee, covering the kneecap, her whole shoulder, and her hand including knuckles. She also hit her head and face. The fall broke her glasses, and I thought she would have a black eye today. It's still red/bruised but in little spots. She has small bruises/red marks from just above her eyebrow to down mid cheek. She said her teeth were bleeding, so I was worried about that, but they don't seem to be discolored today (thank goodness!) Her lip is huge, however, the right side of her top lip is about 4-5 times bigger than the left side. She has the treadmill belt bump marks everywhere, too. She's sore today, but not as sore as I thought she'd be. She's lucky she didn't break anything! She will heal well, kids do, but I worried about her all evening! And we super glued her glasses back together. She's watching a Paula Dean cooking show right now.
We had a nice evening last night with my husband's family last night, pizza, singing, and games.
The night went quickly.
We don't have a lot going on this weekend, just wrapping, baking, cleaning, and healing! :)
I finished the book of Philippians yesterday and am starting on Romans, for my daily readings, now.
I hope your weekend has started off well!

Not much time to blog these days. Hardly time to check email. Loving subbing. First graders are wonderful! I have a great group! My oldest daughter had a great cc meet and algebra test last week and my youngest had a great soccer game and math test, also! We are proud of them as students and as hard working athletes. And they're having fun! :) Staff meeting this morning, curriculum night Thursday, plus work in between. :) Husband's hard at work, and enjoying the way his product's going. Our youngest got sick yesterday, so husband is staying home with her today. That's always hard. It's my job to take care of them, but while subbing, not full time teaching, I have to go to work if I can while he stays home. Tough for me. Hoping she's better today.
My grandparents came for a visit over the weekend and got to see the girls' sporting events. Was a really nice weekend.
No running whatsoever right now. I go from one thing to the next and am exhausted. Not to mention I have a cold: in my chest, head, plugged ears, coughing, not sleeping=tired during the day... It makes me tired but I'm not taking any meds of any sort. But I will live. It's just a cold. :) Well, that's all for now. Just wanted to log on and say hello!

Good news

Dr. seems to think it's not a stress fracture but is leaning towards shin splints! Yeah! :) The three days I took off seem to have had a positive effect. The husband and I ran a nice easy run yesterday for about half an hour and it went well. Just thought I'd update you!
Also, some good news, our family was baptized this weekend! I was "sprinkled" as a child, but the other three hadn't been. In our church the method of baptism is immersion, by your own choosing. So, my husband was first, and then he did the rest of us! It was amazing and a memory I will cherish forever! Just a wonderful blessing.
I finished To Kill A Mockingbird this weekend, while cooking for a reception we had here after the baptism (homemade apple coffeecake, two kinds of quiche/one with ham and one with bacon, a new muffin recipe, a fruit salad, and a different fruit salad with dressing were on the menu, as well as breakfast sausage, coffee, etc. :))
Anyway, I spent a lot of time Saturday cooking, and then got up early Sunday to finish up, and had downloaded the cds to my ipod. I listened and the time went quickly. I had read the book in high school, remembered that I liked it, but not the details and events. It was a fun "read" this time around, as well. :)

Dreading News...

Nothing life threatening, let me start off by saying, and that I know people have some very tough stuff in their lives. This isn't major, but it will be frustrating, if the dr is correct...
I went from pain when I ran in my leg to pain all the time. I headed to the dr, just to double check. Well, I really went so they could say, "just a little muscle strain, take a day or two off, advil, stretch and ice, and you're good to go"... but she said it sounds like a lovely stress fracture. She squeezed my leg and brought me close to tears. So, we chat a bit more. I had one, same place and other leg, back in tenth grade. Had to wear the big boot with the gear at the ankle. She said if that was recommended for me then, then it's entirely possible they might recommend it for me now... but that's IF it's a stress fracture. Got the X rays before the place closed this afternoon. They were supposed to call when they got the results of those and tell me how to proceed. If it didn't show up (stress fractures don't for a while) then I would get an MRI early next week. If it did, I proceed to orthopedic dr. Woo Hoo. I'm about to tear up thinking about it. For them to tell me to "not run" for 6-8 weeks. UGH! I'm so back in the habit, feeling stronger breathing-wise, and leg muscle strength. Had myself talked into the half marathon in the fall... We'll see. But the prognosis didn't sound good.

Who knew

Who knew there were so many calories in everything I enjoy eating? :) I read a post on Cathy Zielske's blog that talked about a great site. I can keep track of what I eat everyday, put in a weight goal (lose a pound per week, gain a pound per week, etc.), exercise, etc. And in a minimal amount of time. It's The Daily Plate. It's great. Inspires me to get more exercise. I did not pay to be a "gold member" and I like the services I get. I was snacking on some packs of peanut butter crackers... Um, about 200 calories and my Starbucks drink-the mid-size- is 160 calories! My four mile runs... that takes away 274 or so. Anyway, I've enjoyed taking a look at it, and I thought you might, too.
I'm reading a book I found in the "new" section at our library: Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde. It's pleasant so far. A quick read; I found it yesterday and am on chapter 6. My husband is listening to "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett on cd and is about three quarters of the way through. He's enjoying it. It's funny; he had heard from a friend how good it was, saw it at the library, started listening to it, and then we saw my mom over the weekend who had just started it because it was a "book club book".
I ran four miles yesterday and we went to the pool again. Both forms of exercise felt good... especially knowing I was erasing things I ate earlier. :))
My dear friend should have arrived back in England this week, here's to hoping she is there safe and sound.
Thanks, Christy, for the book suggestions! I picked up Suite Francaise at the library to read next! :) I am reserving the others. And I appreciated your reply to the "survey"! :))
My friend who had her surgery (due to breast cancer) is doing well. Thank you for your prayers. She was up and smiling yesterday when I picked up her two oldest kids. She's a tough, positive lady. Made me think my running boo-hoo's were pretty whiney and inconsequential, you know?
That's all for now. Hope you are well.

Updates

The girls are feeling better! They really seem like they're on the upswing! :) We're not waking them every four hours for medicine and liquids. They sleep fine and wake up thirsty, but not in agony, so that's an improvement! :)

I just finished my long run for the week. Ten miles. Didn't feel great, but finished the distance. My parents are coming for the weekend, so I thought I'd get it out of the way.Nothing like Momo and her ironman this week! She will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run a marathon! She's awesome! :) Good luck, Momo! You'll do great!!

Still reading the Big Green Purse. Taking a lot of notes, it's very informative!

That's really all for now. Hope you are well!

Girls and books

The girls seem to be feeling better today, although ear pain is worse for them. Our youngest slept great last night and seems to be feeling better.

I finished Steve Martin's book "Shopgirl" last night. Not great. Felt anticlimactic, to me, but it just wasn't my kind of book from the get-go.

Now I'm reading a new book. I'm on page 33 of 394, I think. A long way to go, but already tons of info. It's called "Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World" It is about protecting our environment and health, and the different ways we can do that. This book talks about global warming, greenhouse gases, water and air pollution, health hazards from everyday chemicals... sounded overwhelming and depressing when I first started reading, but it has already given me tips on how to prevent some of these things, and things to watch for. I already feel more informed. For instance, on page 27 I read that a vendor can give his livestock as little as five minutes of fresh air and still call it "free range". I thought "free range chicken" was as good as organic... totally not so. The USDA is very vigilant in it's "organic" labeling, though. If it says "100 % organic" labeled by the USDA, then they've thoroughly checked it and it is. If a food item says "contains organic" peas or tomatoes, then those things are organic, but not other things in it. I've also learned that there is no governing body that decides if something is "biodegradable", "natural ingredients" or "hypoallergenic" so the company can put those on it if they want to... even if it isn't. Obviously, if it says caution, warning, danger, or poison, that's a signal.

A few sites I found interesting lately, some of which were mentioned in this book (none are meant to offend, just to be a link to information if any reader is interested...):

• Green-e "Look for the logo and reduce your impact"
  
• Organic Consumers Association
• Scientific Certification Systems
• Forest Stewardship Council
• Humane Farm Animal Care
• Leaping Bunny lists cosmetics that are cruelty free
• msc.org which shows where you can get seafood
• This one I got from an environmental blog. It's a bit graphic, although cartoons. I am a meat-eater, not a vegetarian, but I want my meat to come from somewhere other than this... so I'm a more informed consumer, after seeing this: http://www.themeatrix.com/
• USDA consumer home where there is information on certified organic products

I'm working on getting more information so I can be a better consumer. Just thought I'd pass along some of the beginning information I have found. :)

My girls

My girls are having two very different days. Our oldest seems to be recuperating quite well, but the medication has attacked the youngest and her stomach has been upset all day. She's gotten sick a few times, though nothing to worry about, says the surgery center. Still she says she feels horrible and needs me to make it better. Stinks that I can't. I hate that feeling. The cool washcloth, soothing words, reading books, tucking her in... can't help her stomachache. Hopefully a good night's rest helps...
Finished the memoir book this morning, between weeding and getting the girls comfortable this morning. Was ok.

Girls' surgeries and long run

Both daughters came through their surgeries, nicely. The oldest had a bit harder time with the anesthesia but seemed more like herself the next day. They are both very tired today and are complaining of sore ears (the tonsils are connected to the same nerve as the ears, apparently). The next three days should be quite painful as the scabs are forming and can be very bothersome. They have medication, that is doing well with the pain, but makes them feel "cloudy", which they do not like. I don't like that feeling, either, unless it's from a good wine. ;) (Speaking of, I can't remember if I mentioned that we tried this and really liked it?) Seriously, I know that frustrating feeling from medications, but am not sure we should stop it quite yet. Their doctor said they should stay on it until the scab-forming days, so that it will be easier for them to drink (which makes the process less painless!! As well as faster healing!!!) My mantra for them has been:"Girls, drink drink drink!" And they listened the first day wonderfully, now it's a pain for them. Our oldest used a remote and "tried to turn me off." :) Ah, a medicated comedian... :) We also have to wake them up every four hours for meds and liquids, so they don't wake up in agony from sore throats and scabs that got too dry.
I was supposed to get my long run in yesterday, but after getting up to give the girls their meds (and being worn out from Friday's worrying, which I am very good at... :)) I passed it up. It was also thundering and lighting where we normally meet the group, although in hindsight it passed about a half hour after start time. I'm betting most of the normal group went. We got up and went to church today (after celebrating the hubby's special day, of course-Father's Day) and then I went on my run. Was a hot one, but I did it. I finished my first double digit mileage for this season! Woo hoo! It wasn't a great time, but I wasn't "defeated", either.
That's all for now. Have a great week!
Oh, the "Writing Class" book: I finished it and I give it a 3/5 stars. The character development was good, and a mystery doesn't usually keep me in the dark as long as this one did, as per the identity of the criminal. However, some of the language and situations were more inappropriate than I expected which was a bummer. But, now I'm onto "Shopgirl", a novel written by comedian Steve Martin. It was a "staff pick" at our library.

Vacation: Day 2

Yesterday, on Vacation Day 1, we three girls went strawberry picking. Delicious berries, red, ripe, sweet. So much better than the grocery's berries, and cheaper, too. A delight when you eat them straight from the plant. All the kids had a wonderful time. Then in the afternoon and evening, we went over to a friends for homemade pizza. I brought berries. :)
Today we went to the library to sign up for their annual summer reading program. I don't usually sign up for the adults' reading program, but today I did. Then we headed to Joann Etc., a craft store. We got the girls each a craft to do in the upcoming recovery week. After that we headed directly to lunch with my mother-in-law. We had a wonderful visit, as usual. :)) We headed home, worked on chores (the girls wouldn't feel like doing them tomorrow, and I'd have to do them myself! ;)) I promised a trip to the local pool if they finished. Our oldest has piano, and then we're heading to the pool after. :) Hopefully these sweltering days have heated up the water? Last year it was VERY cold. Blech. I don't like cold pool water. :) So, a great first two days of vacation. Tomorrow comes the tough day: tonsils removed in the morning. Please send good thoughts our way! :)
Oh, the book I'm reading is "The Writing Course" by Jincy Willett which is very interesting thus far! I'm on page 72, so hopefully the intrigue continues! :)
We also received our postcard from Tennessee today, which marks our 14th one, so far!

Spring!

I sit here to enter my latest post and notice the sun pouring in the windows. It's a beautiful and welcome sight. Our landscaping that was put in last summer is alive with blooms and I look forward to more days of enjoying it. Our daffodils have been blooming for about a week, my grape hyacinth are popping up all over my front garden... my front garden which needs so much work this year... In our area we can still get frost into May, so I try not to dig anything up to move it, or plant anything new, just in case. These warm days of spring have people rushing to the stores and buying plants... then, inevitably, a cold snap comes and things blacken! We've had a flurry the last two Aprils. It is hard to resist the planting urge, though. I have some small plants mixed in with tall ones, then they lack water, sun and they're hidden, so I need to move them more towards the middle of my garden spot.
I spent the last few days, as there were no subbing jobs for me, going through old paperwork. We've saved old bill receipts, old insurance policy statements, etc. for too long. It felt good to purge them, shred them and put them out with recyclables today. Four trash bags worth. I checked some websites for what I could dispose of and what I should keep for a year, 7 years and indefinitely. Those leftover papers I reorganized and moved to a different location. I previously had some of the important papers in the basement, some in my den and some other places. So, they're all in one central location now, in a nice little folder cart, which also has a drawer on it.
One of my tasks for today is to scan the girls' papers and artwork onto cd's. I have a HUGE box, because I like to save everything they do because they are fabulous students and artists. (I'm not biased. :)) But, now that our oldest is in 7th, soon to be 8th grade, and our youngest is in 3rd, almost 4th grade, plus their two years of preschool, each... we've run out of room in the folders and boxes keep all of their paper items. I'm sure it will take a LONG time, but it will be so nice to have it done. We can keep some paper items, like books they made, that would be easier to store than scan. I just think that they'll like to look back on it someday-but I'm not sure what they'll like to look back on. I may just scan the artwork and keep the paper copies of the papers, like grade cards, as well. I will see when I am knee-deep in it, I suppose! :)
I will be reading my last week of the Beth Moore Bible Study this week, as well. Last week was so moving. On Tuesday, our group met and it was so incredible that I cried... there and on the way HOME! After it was over. It was amazing. God is good! :)
Our oldest daughter had an appt. with an ear, nose, throat doctor this week. Yep, her tonsils are huge, just like youngest daughter. They are scheduled to have their tonsils and adenoids removed on June 13... Yep, Friday the 13. They've never had any kind of surgery, let alone an iv putting them out for half an hour and surgery! I'm a bit nervous and we still have two months. I know it's a routine surgery, but I'm still a bit worried! Maybe it has something to do with the Dr. saying the only problem that could occur is "bleeding out and requiring a transfusion"! UM-that's a big problem! He said that (knock on wood) he's never had that happen before. I trust him, he's great, and I'm sure he'd be careful with our girls, but ugh. Great way to start their summer vacation, hm? But, they'd miss 7-14 days of school if we did it during the school year.
We aren't planning on taking any big/long summer vacations, either. Just a wonderful summer here in the Midwest. We are embarking on a "postcard quest", though. The girls and I have already sent out emails to friends and relatives around the country, gathering addresses. We will be writing a letter, together, and sending it at the end of May requesting postcards from all 50 states and other countries, as well! We will be getting maps, one of the world and one of the U.S. The maps will hang in the basement, I think and the postcards will be, as well. It will be a fun summer project! :)
Running... nope, I have not been running. I have been doing a bit of walking, though! :)
That's it for me, for now. I hope you are enjoying the spring!