The End of August??

I sat down to blog and realized I hadn't blogged since early August... and it's the end of August already! The summer has gone rather quickly!

I interviewed for one long-term subbing position and one full-time position, but didn't get either job, which is really disheartening, a rather stiff blow to the ego. I just keep reminding myself that God is in it and He will find me a job when the time is right. It's tough, though.

I got the ok from the running doctor to start the "back to running program". This week and next I can do the elliptical machine. So much better than doing nothing. It won't be running for a few weeks, as I've been instructed to do walking, then the elliptical, then slow jogging... But I will get back to it. The question is, as a marathoner or a half marathoner? It's a tough decision. I've done the marathon, I've enjoyed it-just check back to my old running posts-but it has also wreaked havoc on my body. I have overcome some of the issues, and I know that is some of the pride that comes with running... However, I get really down when an injury knocks me out, like this year-I had come halfway with these long distances and sometimes I wonder if my little body enjoys this. So, I could still get in the longer distances, the physical work, the fitness, while doing the half marathons? Or am I too hooked, still wanting that third marathon and to do it in under four hours?

I have been reading two books lately, both of which are fascinating: The Omnivore's Dilemma and A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen. I'm not vegetarian-I like to eat meat-but the book has some really interesting recipes that I'm planning on trying. The Omnivore's Dilemma can get technical in some spots, but as I kept reading, I really enjoyed its information. I'm not finished with either book, however, which is a problem since they are library books that are due soon!

My husband and I will celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary this week. This past weekend we took a LONG drive to this inn, Murphin Ridge Inn, to celebrate with some relaxing time away. Wow. Breathtaking. Food was delicious, staff was wonderful, accommodations were very nice and clean. I can't recommend it enough. If you are in the area, or within a few hours' drive, a terrific way to relax and rejuvenate.

Now school activities begin in full swing. Last weekend our youngest had her first soccer tournament in the new league (new to her). She had two games Saturday and two games Sunday (thankfully the in-laws kept the girls over the weekend and took our youngest to her first three games, with us getting home in time to take her to the last one!) Our oldest will have high school cross country (high school?? ALREADY??) meets every Saturday until November... Yes, every Saturday until November. Most of those will also be soccer game days for our youngest, as well. This will be the first year where my husband and I will head in different directions, each of us missing one of the daughter's activities. This is tough for me. I'm used to getting to see each child, even if I have to drive with a lead foot here and there to make it.... It's the ages, I know, but it's a bit sad... :)

We've had a quick summer that included: trips to the pool-enough to pay for our membership this year- each daughter had camps, our trip, which was the first without the daughters since our tenth anniversary, rainy weather which was more like spring than summer until mid-August, two running injuries (one stress fracture for my oldest daughter and one for me), our first garden that produced yummy veggies, and job interviews!

I hope you have had a good season, wherever you are, and are looking ahead to another positive season in front of you!

Hello, Thursday!

I know you've been waiting with baited breath, my oldest returned safely and soundly on Saturday eve. She called after they had a cell signal and said she'd had a lot of fun, couldn't believe it was already over, and now that she heard our voices, couldn't wait to be home! She loved the white water rafting the most! She also enjoyed the waterfall jumping, although they only got to do it once due to pending storms. She had a great week, and made new friends!!

Our youngest loved her writing camp and came home with many story ideas! She's been writing in her free time since!

We have been busy since I wrote last: Sunday we had "Food Network Star Finale" night. We have been watching the reality show all season as a family, choosing our favorites, people and food ideas! We chose an appetizer/new recipe and cooked it, to eat while we watched the finale. My youngest made a very spicy salsa, my oldest created a fruit dessert that sat in whipped cream in a chocolate cake cup and was glazed with a berry sauce. My husband made Mega Meatball Pizza and I made Antipasto Sausage Skewers which were both very good recipes! Last night I used the last of the leftovers from my appetizer, added chopped red onion, chopped green pepper and cream cheese, blended it all together and we ate it on crackers: YUM! :)

Monday night we went to the local fair, as I had won tickets on our local radio station to attend the concert there, and fair admission, for free. We all had fun!!

Tuesday, my dear cousin came through our spot in the midwest and spent the night. It was a quick visit, but a great one! It was so nice to see her.

Last night we sat and ate our crackers and dip by a fire in our fire pit. The kids got ready for bed and went off to dreamland, while my husband and I shared a glass of wine (Estancia Pinot Noir, which is great!) as the sun set and our fire burned. It was a wonderful evening!

No news on the running front. I see the doctor again on the 20th.

We head to see my family for a quick visit in the near future.

I haven't read much more in the The Sunday Philosophy Club, as we've been busy around here. I am hoping to read it on the drive to see family...

School is just around the corner, here. I have applied for the only job open in our local district, and didn't even get an interview, which was frustrating. However, I interview tomorrow for a long term sub job, which is better than the day to day assignments! I get to know the children much better in a setting like this! I'm hoping all goes well and that is where I will start the year. Fingers crossed! :)

I have a million things on my schedule today, so I will leave you after my long, rambling post. I hope your week is going well and your weekend looks bright ahead! :)

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! :)

Not so much running...

I ran on Tuesday, and was going for five miles, like the schedule required. I couldn't make it, due to increased pain in my left leg. I went to the doctor on Thursday and he said it was a "probable stress fracture" requiring "6 to 8 weeks" of no running. I go for X rays tomorrow, and then we'll go from there. It was very sore the last few days, even without running or doing any strenuous activities, so we'll see. I missed the group/long run on Saturday. Maybe this will get me back to the gym? Just to work on things other than legs? We'll see. I will post after the test results.
In other news, I just baked "Grandma Marie's Swedish Nut Cake". It is my husband's maternal great-grandmother's recipe. We are heading to a neighborhood party this afternoon and are to take a side dish or dessert. My husband decided to make a pasta salad and I decided to make a dessert. He said he was in the mood for this cake, and I haven't made it in ages. Here is the simple recipe:

Grandma Marie's Swedish Nut Cake

2 C sugar
2 eggs
20 oz crushed pineapple (do not drain!)
2 tsp baking soda
2 C flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C walnuts (my husband's mother and I use chopped pecans)

Mix, by hand, all the above ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Topping:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 stick butter (both softened)
Mix these and then add
1 3/4 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C pecans

Then spread onto cake while still warm.

I hope you are having a nice weekend. The weather here has been overcast, but the cool temperatures have been delightful; as opposed to the sweltering heat we had last week! :) I'm not running, but I'm sure God's in it. :) He always has a plan, and often it's different than mine! :)Take care!!

Running and Things

Running has been plugging along, steadily. I finished a long 13 miles on Saturday, with a bit of soreness showing up yesterday. This Saturday we meet closer to my home, which is always nice for a change of pace.

I hosted scrapbooking this past weekend and tried two new recipes as snacks:
Grilled Chicken Spinach Quesadillas
and
Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Glaze.
Both recipes turned out nicely. Neither were too difficult or time consuming, which are the best kind of recipes. :) I try to make "finger" foods, that are easy to eat as you start working on the scrapbooking. I didn't get too many pages finished while people were here, but I did finish a few more since I still have my things out in the living room. I broke out the dusty sewing machine for a few pages! :) That is about the only thing I have the patience to sew! :)
Neither of my girls has a camp/activity this week, so they were supposed to sleep in today... but that didn't happen. :) They were excited to get up and enjoy the day with "no place" to go. :)They are outside in the breezy, comfortable weather. :)

That is the latest from here. I hope you are well and things are going positively for you! :)