In Training

The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights. ~Giotto di Bondone

2012-02-02T21:38:00.000-06:00

So, I got an email from a friend today...He critiqued my 52 list. You know the one that I haven't been updating you on? He makes me laugh :)

His ending statement:

Send me your list for next year in November so I can critique it. You are too hard on yourself.

He says I am cool, he watches Judge Judy too and his food is colorful because of his stoneware plates :)

Is it any wonder why I like him???

BTW...the past 3 weeks I have worked on #3, #5...#43 is the one for this week...

I wanna Kindle

2012-01-13T12:46:00.001-06:00

I have Kindle for PC on my computer…

and all I can think about is how cool it would be to carry it around with me and read it in bed without a lamp! I am so sad. One would think that I would just go buy one…But I can’t justify it yet :(

One can dream…

2012, week 2

2012-01-08T19:38:00.002-06:00

I did good last week when I started measuring all of my food...Weight is back to pre-holidays weight (which still means I have a lot to lose, but better).

This week I am marking number 1, put something away whenever I leave a room, off my list. I am focusing on my house. I have a relatively clean house, but have a problem with not putting things away when we are done. So, that's my goal this week :)

In other news...

I resigned this t-shirt to the dust rag bin...yes I wear crap like this when I get home. Don't judge me.

I also made this lap quilt (and when I say lap quilt, I mean it's not big enough for anything else!) for my daughter's friend...I will have to make her a bigger, girlier one later...

2012, Week 1

2012-01-01T08:49:00.000-06:00

So, last week I came up with this list of 52 things I wanted to change about myself in 2012...

Number 12...Measure my food.

Seems like a good starting point. (no, these aren't in particular order) I will just take them in the order that I am feeling the groove on each week.

I have a real issue with over eating. I like food. I like eating while I do things. I will probably have to pay attention to my eating (none of that mindless crap) so I don't look down and wonder which dog was so ninja-like that they could get my food. (I promise you, I don't have a single dog that is even remotely ninja-like.)

Ok, here's hoping this is one that will definitely stick...

New Year

2011-12-28T14:04:00.001-06:00

Like everyone else, I am on the I-don’t-do-new-year-resolutions-kick. That may change next year. I don’t know.
What I am going to do…is make 52 changes to my life. One a week. I want to hit every aspect of my life in some way. Some may stick and some may make me ask “What the hell was I thinking?!?!?!”
So! Here goes!

~~Put something away whenever I leave a room.~~ (1-8-12)
Cut out sodas
~~10 minute meditations every morning (I skip this a lot…)~~ (1-22-12)
Don’t go to bed with dishes in the sink (this one will be super hard on some nights)
~~No more canned soups (lots of sodium and processing)~~ (1-15-12)
Morning yoga routine
No more dropping crap (i.e. mail, bag, keys, etc.) off on the freezer
Cut out refined sugars
Explore photography
Run 25 miles weekly
Empty my Jeep (I call him JP) when I get out
~~Measure my food~~ (1-1-12)
Take dogs to the park weekly
Wash my face every night
Cut out caffeine
Get outside daily
Be more patient with my parents
Take hiking back up (I really miss that)
Be more compassionate (I have a problem with sob stories and I shouldn’t judge them to be sob stories)
No more lead foot
Regular oil changes (sorry JP)
Eat at the table
Go out at least twice a month (we never go out)
No more dumping crap in the new place I found after number 7…
Daily guitar practice (sometimes I go months without dusting it)
Evening yoga faithfully
Organize debt
Start snowballing debt for pay offs
Volunteer more (I am a foster parent for the animal shelter but that’s about it…)
Catch a movie…say…once a month (I miss this too)
Find a quiet corner for mind gathering
Brush dogs more often (I have Great Pyrs…they are really fluffy!)
Improve my skin care routine (as I scratch my dry, flaky leg)
Limit Books-a-Million purchases (it’s an addiction)
Limit TV to an hour a day
Make a friend to do things with…I have busy friends :( (or my deodorant doesn’t work and no one wants to tell me)
Use my gym membership…for real.
Get plenty of sleep (not at my desk. That doesn’t count)
Take my vitamins (buy new ones if they have expired)
Regular check ups
Interact with family more (these are the easiest to put off…I know they will be there when I need them)
Complete a project for every one that I add to my list
Log food (1-29-12)
Blog at least once a week
Skype. Just so I can be cool too.
Slow down on social media. (its probably why number 36 made it to the list)
No more overeating. Willpower.
Finish laundry. (Last load in the washer is not considered complete in most cultures)
Cut back on starchy foods and add more color to my plate
Quit watching Judge Judy.
Find something that makes me feel good about myself since I quit watching Judge Judy
Make new list for 2013.

This was not an easy list to make…just sayin’.

New curtains, Old mind

2011-12-11T10:13:00.001-06:00

I had the bright idea to make new kitchen curtains.

What, with all the construction and painting going on in there, it just seemed like a good idea.

Then I lost my beads. The finishing touch. The touche de finition. I gave up looking after a couple of weeks...Until Thanksgiving. Then I found them. In my loaf pan. Yes, loaf pan.

Don't know, don't ask. I've thought and thought and thought. Can't think of a single reason to put them in my LOAF PAN!

But...curtains are done!

wish I was there...

2011-12-09T10:01:00.000-06:00

Song of the day

2011-12-06T12:27:00.001-06:00

On my nightstand

2011-12-05T23:02:00.001-06:00

—»Vicky«—

Yuletide

2011-11-30T13:27:00.001-06:00

My office is ready...

It takes a long time to grow an old friend. ~John Leonard

2011-11-19T08:06:00.001-06:00

Michael has been my friend for 30 years. 30. Years! Ha! I can't believe I can say that, lol.

Michael, who is some administrative big wig dietitian supervisor kinda thing, is also a photographer :) He came all the way from Louisville yesterday to do my son's senior portraits! He spent four hours taking his picture and connecting with him.

I just wandered around...

I watched them and saw them talking and realized how much Josh was like Michael was in high school. I was flooded with high school memories of Michael, Jenny and Joe. Doesn't feel like it was so long ago...

Anyway, 500-600 pictures and 4 hours later, my hubby joined us with nice hot lattes (it was pretty chilly out there) and we all enjoyed catching up for a while...

It was so good to see him. We made plans to get together with him and his wife this spring and parted ways.

I drove home with a warm feeling and once again thought of how much I love autumn :)

Dreaming Tree

2011-11-10T18:07:00.001-06:00

Fits my mood perfectly :)

—»Vicky«—

A mother who is really a mother is never free. ~Honore de Balzac

2011-11-06T20:54:00.000-06:00

My daughter turned 23 today.

I love who she is and who she is becoming.

It’s Monday and I don’t care…

2011-10-31T10:45:00.001-05:00

Really. I don’t. A friend brought me a skinny hazelnut latte from his wife’s coffee shop, my job log is backed up till March (and in my profession that’s job security like you work for the government!) and I lost another pound :)

This weekend:

I finished my baby quilt in time for the baby shower.

went to the baby shower with a couple of AMAZING women.

Started on the next baby quilt for another cousin that is having a shower.

Had some bang up company while I sewed.

Spent a lazy Sunday morning in bed with this handsome guy.

Have I told you that I absolutely LOVE Autumn??

Mmm…

2011-10-28T08:40:00.001-05:00

Spaghetti for breakfast! It’s like pizza, but in a bowl :)

That meatball you see? Vegetarian! Great texture, great taste…

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

2011-10-21T12:02:00.001-05:00

I. Feel. It coming.

I absolutely live for October through December! The second I feel a crisp breeze…have you ever noticed that you have a “cold wind” for winter, a “fresh breeze” for spring, a “warm breeze” for summer and a “crisp breeze” for autumn?? What was I saying? Oh, yeahhhh…a crisp breeze :)

I. Love. The crisp breeze! The smell of apple cider, the sound of crunchy leaves, the cocoon feel that is only there in the Fall! I like to run, sew, read and walk best at this time of year!

I think in exclamation marks in the Fall! (can you tell?!?!)

I actually feel giddy. I know, I know. I’m rambling.

I am making German Apple Cake tonight :) , I have my sewing machine on the table with scraps of cloth laying around (people at work have been picking thread out of my hair all week) and a nice Merlot to savor this weekend…

I wish everyone out there the joy and spirit that I feel at this time of year. If you feel half of the pleasure that I feel at this time of year, then this world will be a happy place!

Happy Autumn!

A week in review

2011-10-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

I went back to work on Monday (yay!) and after a couple of days, it feels like I was never away. The only problem I'm having is a bit of panicky moments while driving. If I don't think about seizures, I'm fine but if I do...I can't get a breath and I feel dizzy and scared. mind of matter, mind over matter, mind over matter...

Now that I'm back at work, we have to roll out of bed at 4:30 to get our run in...Boo. But, Josh and I agree that our whole day feels better if we run at the beginning of the day. When temps hit freezing we will switch to evenings for the winter...but until then...before the rooster crows!

We have a new foster dog :) Her name is Haley. A Great Pyrenees with demodectic mange. She is six months old and a little skittish with other dogs, but should be fine after a week or two. I will take pictures in a day or so after she settles in. She is extremely loving with people and craves attention. We're going to get along fine :)

Josh's college trip to Montevallo went well yesterday...we met with the Head of the Honors College, the Head of the History Department and dined on spinach puffs and caesar salad. Next week we are off to Troy for a tour, BBQ and football! He has scholarships to both places and they are his primary choices, so I think he can just sit back and enjoy his senior year :)

Josh got a new (used) car for college. This really nice guy I work with let us buy his daughter's college car :) It's a 2000 Dodge Neon. Josh loves his truck, but we just can't do $80 worth of gas every weekend for him to come home. The Neon takes $20.

While we were at Montevallo, we went to check out Kodi's latest artwork :) She is so talented! A little on the dark side, but talented! Here is her colored pencil on black paper with some close up shots...sadly, I only had my cell, so the shots are a little murky.

I hear Josh stirring, so time to run!

On my nightstand

2011-09-30T12:13:00.001-05:00

Various stages of Unfinishness

2011-09-09T07:41:00.000-05:00

My house has some trim painted, some trim removed, some trim hanging in there from 1969. Baseboards? Same condition. Countertops have measurements taken and cabinets are ready for sanding. I need to repaint the living room because I don't like the color now.

My kids have a list of colleges for me to research for them (they are busy, I am not) Kodi is searching for a school for her Master's and Josh is searching for his home for the next four years. I have started both but only have two schools completed.

Running? I run for a bit, I stop for a bit. I think about running for a bit. Rinse and repeat.

This is what happens when you are on medical leave for six months. *sigh* I have way too much time on my hands! Drives me nuts! But...I only have one month to go (yay!)

So...I am off from here and headed out for a run (for real!) and when I get back, I'm going to make a list and check things off one by one :)

On my nightstand

2011-08-17T19:56:00.001-05:00

I think I took my motivation off with last weeks clothes, but I haven't washed it yet...

2011-08-16T20:40:00.000-05:00

I took a really hot week off and now getting back in the groove is painful. Not in an feels-like-a-knife-in-my-eye sorta way, but in an I'm-gonna-just-fall-over-and-die sorta way...

*sigh*

It will be ok...outta bed at 6am and hit the pavement by 6:10. Just a few days and the habit is back! Back in my driveway by 7:10, yoga, shower, breakfast...then I'm human.

Woo!

On my nightstand

2011-07-30T23:21:00.001-05:00

Official start of Jazz 1/2 Marathon training!

2011-07-25T08:54:00.001-05:00

Started with a 35 minute run...100% humidity.

Kill me now.

At least my yoga can be inside :)

It always seems impossible until its done. ~Nelson Mandela

2011-07-21T23:28:00.000-05:00

I finally made it through the whole video!

I won't lie and tell you that it all looked pretty or that my form was spot on, but I did an hour of power yoga and I am alive to tell about it :)

Go me!

Harry Potter

2011-07-18T21:49:00.001-05:00

I saw the last Harry Potter today (in 3D) and was pleased with the way it stayed as true as possible to the book

I will probably see it again…it’s just hard to catch everything the first time. The special effects were phenomenal!

On my nightstand

2011-06-28T20:55:00.001-05:00

On my nightstand

2011-06-26T08:41:00.001-05:00

—»Vicky«—

In my son's truck seat...

2011-06-21T22:06:00.001-05:00

100s at 6am

2011-06-16T15:46:00.001-05:00

We got up early this morning for our work out and by 6:10 we were doing sprints, lunges and strides...

Now a few hours later, my legs feel it!

Tomorrow we put Kodi on a train for camp...she is teaching tennis at a girls camp this summer up north. She is going to have a blast but it will be quiet here without her.

Vegetarian spaghetti with whole wheat pasta for dinner tonight!

New Race!

2011-06-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

I have a new race to look forward to...

The New Orleans Jazz Half Marathon

Josh, Austin (Josh's best friend), Maria (Austin's mom) and Me! A weekend in New Orleans, two moms hanging out with their sons one last time before graduation, a goal for fitness...

I have a long way to go since I have been a big slug for the last few months. Seriously, weight is way up and I am just now getting a motivation kick...

I have three training runs down and feel the draaaaaag...whew! Too much couch sitting since my "glitches", as Kodi calls them.

I’m still here…

2011-05-26T18:56:00.001-05:00

Some crazy stuff lately…

I had a couple of seizures, then I found out that I have been having partial seizures for a year, then we had tornados come thru and wipe out a good portion of out city and now I am fostering for the Cullman County Animal Shelter…Whew!

Seizure are under control, but by Doctor visits, tests, forms, short term disability, long term disability, COBRA…the list go on. It exhausts me to think about it :(

Tornados are gone, but the clean up and recovery will take a long time…We were without power for a week (and let me tell you, you need a butt-load of money to survive with no power!) But all is on the mend, we are safe and good:)

Lots of dogs coming through our house…some happy, some not so happy…they too will recover in time…

I can make it...

2011-04-30T12:19:00.001-05:00

4th day without power...

people getting a bit grumpy...

I'm still alive.

On my nightstand

2011-04-24T21:41:00.001-05:00

How to Marry a Millionaire

2011-04-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

For real…does it get any better? I have to stay awake tonight for a fatigue test coming up and I am sitting here watching How to Marry a Millionaire for…oh…about the millionth time :)

Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe are awesome, the humor is quick and witty and the whole storyline is easy to fall into.

Gaslight, Inspector General, Desk Set.

Ingrid Bergman, Danny Kaye, Katherine Hepburn.

*sigh*

I’m a happy camper!

Talladega 2011

2011-04-19T00:53:00.001-05:00

My husband took me to Talladega this Sunday…I had a good time and remembered my sunblock

My race shirt! Susan Komen race2cure shirt…

Jeff’s breakfast

18th anniversary coming up next week!

My Pinot Grigio followed regulations

Carl Edwards

Jeff Gordon

Tony Stewart

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson wins!

On my nightstand...

2011-03-24T21:14:00.001-05:00

~Ciao

sandra bullock strikes again!

2011-03-17T12:56:00.001-05:00

One more time…Sandra Bullock steps up to the plate and makes a difference!

http://scoop.today.com/_news/2011/03/17/6288676-sandra-bullock-donates-1-million-for-japan-relief

jon cryer - gotta love him!

2011-03-13T14:53:00.002-05:00

On my nightstand

2011-03-08T20:38:00.001-06:00

My Mother came to visit…

2011-03-07T20:49:00.001-06:00

This past weekend, my mother came to visit and my brother brought his new girlfriend :)

I like her. My mother and the girlfriend.

Anyway, we had grilled onions, salad, too much wine and a lot of laughs!

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…

2011-02-28T11:21:00.001-06:00

He has insulted his fans. His employers. His co-workers.

He has had radio rants. Mindless ramblings. Too much air time.

Go away now.

Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot. ~Groucho Marx

2011-02-26T15:55:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I think the balls I have in the air are going to crash around my head and give me a concussion. Mostly, I think that feeling comes from me not willing to believe all is going well enough.

Women do that.

We are habitually overachievers and if we don't overload ourselves, we feel like we aren't doing enough. We aren't doing our part. It’s a need to be needed and a desired to be remembered.

Huh.

I was sick (actually I still am) and missed two days of work. I feel like I am going to be fired because I laid on the couch with kleenex and dayquil. What is UP with that?!?!?

Anyway, I feel like my balls are falling. I’ve been sick, I’ve gained weight, haven’t run, skipped yoga, my guitar is covered in dust and my house is a wreck. I need a deep breath and a bullet list.

And someone to hold my balls for a minute…

My son…

2011-02-14T06:13:00.001-06:00

Just turned 17. He is my youngest. I love to watch him growing into a man and hate to see him growing out of a child.

*sigh*

A glimpse into his domain:

guitar, amp and…despicable me!

pink floyd and racing bibs

can you tell he wants to major in History?

Happy Birthday, son.

one eskimo

2011-02-11T11:47:00.002-06:00

Decade Recap

2010-12-30T05:51:00.001-06:00

Ok, yesterday I was bummed out when I was looking though a recap of the year and…even though all of those things did happen, I forgot for a moment that the crappy stuff is what news puts out. Its what people want to read.

Ugh.

So last night while I was thinking it over and feeling more and more down about it, I started thinking of good stuff that happened…

we broke the race barrier with our president (even though I didn’t vote for him and still don’t think he was the best choice)
strangers opened their homes to Hurricane Katrina victims
patriots won the super bowl
Sully kept his cool

ok, its not a long list, but I am still thinking. I had help remembering the bad stuff as the media is quick to give you a recap there…they are not pulling out the stories of the heroes we’ve had and the milestones we have covered. I have to dig for those.

*sigh*

I will keep thinking of the good stuff…

Looking back…

2010-12-29T12:01:00.001-06:00

on the last decade…such a sad time.

9/11
war on terrorism
Katrina
tsunamis
hangings
decapitations
mutilations
economy
volcano eruptions
oil
earthquakes
cheating scandals
drug abuse
bombs

What happened to us?

Dustin Hoffman & Robert DeNiro

2010-12-17T10:02:00.001-06:00

Have I ever told you guys that I have a major crush on Dustin Hoffman???

2010 Cross Country Sectionals

2010-12-05T08:41:00.001-06:00

I like it when Josh has a team that all work well together :)

Facelift!

2010-12-03T23:39:00.001-06:00

I love my new Blog look!

Tossing and Turmoil

2010-11-12T10:56:00.001-06:00

It’s one of those days.

My bank had double postings yesterday (while they were closed) so my account balance this morning was –$400 gagillion dollars. They are being wonderful and getting everything straightened out (glad I am not in their shoes!) but it still makes my tummy flip flop :(

We got a new mattress…I love it! My husband hates it! He is waking up all night and in turn, waking me up all night. He is one of those I-can’t-sleep-so-I’m-gonna-sigh-really-loud-and-plop-my-head-down-so-you-can-wake-up-and-feel-my-frustration type of guys…but I bought new fresh cedar for the dog houses and our dogs don’t mind sharing. I won’t even need a shower in the morning due to the absorbent and deodorizing qualities that cedar has!

My jeep needs attention that would take a bullet list to go by. My husband was laid off. My fitness schedule is for poop! My Christmas cards haven’t even been bought yet. I don’t even remember what yoga is…

It’s just one of those days.

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." Mark Twain

2010-11-09T10:54:00.001-06:00

Did you know Mark Twain’s autobiography is about to be sold??? (check out the story here)

He had a ban on it for 100 years after his death so that no one would be alive that would still get mad! I am totally buying it on November 15th! I like his style!

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call…

2010-10-20T12:18:00.001-05:00

Strange number from Temple Texas…I call it back…

-rewind a year and a half ago, 4th of July…a conversation with my brother-in-law, mother & father-in-law and hubby…where we, essentially learned that everyone (hubby’s 3 brothers and their wives) resented us, said they hated us, and couldn’t stand being around us because we were his parents favorites…this was news to us! Completely blindsided us, and if I were honest, I would say I’m still not over the hurt from that one. And, btw, my brothers-in-law have issues that go way back before I came along and seem to encompass anyone who breathes. You know the type…no one understands them, everyone is out to get them and everything bad is always someone else’s fault. Countless marriages, bosses and ex-friends are all out to get them *Whew* there is no way to give background quickly, huh? Anyway…we decided to distance ourselves from this plethora of misery and hate…

-fast-forward to the phone call…

*phone ringing*

stranger: hello?

me: I had a missed call from here…?

stranger: you didn’t recognize the number, huh? (crap! by the smug sound of the voice, it was intended that way…)

me: no…

stranger: it’s me, sister-in-law-2 (sil2 for short)

*crickets chirping*

me: huh.

sil2: I thought we might talk about all this mess. (this is the woman (who I have only seen or talked to about 6 times in 18 years) that made sure to point out in an awful email to my mother-in-law how much she hated me because her life was harder…)

me: um…no. I’m over it.

sil2: you don’t want to try to fix this?

me: nope. I’m good.

sil2: ok, I tried.

*click*

Now, before you think I am unreasonable…I quit after years of drama, that really didn’t involve us, but affected us. I have not told anyone off or anything. But the poison has started to trickle on to us and that’s where I draw the line. So…we stay away. The drama continues. I will not be drawn in. I will not let it touch my kids. Period.

ok! Apparently I needed a little vent. I feel better.

with the right incentive…

2010-10-11T11:31:00.001-05:00

The boys…(Josh and Austin)

shaved their time to what I deemed worthy…

and earned cinnamon rolls from Panera Bread!

Good job guys :)

things I have learned this week

2010-10-07T14:27:00.001-05:00

Where there is a will…there’s a way! *notice the cork IN the bottle*

Don’t marry for money…go for the laughs

Mutual affection is priceless

You need friends

(Even if they don’t like your camera)

suspenders are required when you retire

Stick bugs are totally cool!

You can take this and 30 minutes later…

get this (he is a bowl of black-eyed peas…)

Family is good…

My girl in action!

2010-10-05T10:38:00.001-05:00

for sculpture class

she knows I’m there

time to paint

Dad helps

pretty

over it!

Our new bathroom in pictures

2010-10-02T06:54:00.000-05:00

before demo

love the avocado green!

coming down

supervision

ripping down tile

tub is gone!

Kodi is loose!

I totally command power tools!

Jeff totally commands brooms!

when it was on his head it looked like a jock strap :)

new tile going in

my tile guy

done!

love love love the double shower curtain bar!

so much brighter!

Brace yourself...

2010-10-01T07:38:00.000-05:00

He doesn't believe in abstinence...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

October

2010-09-30T12:22:00.000-05:00

Red, orange and yellow gold
Prepare for sleep
Shed the old

Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon strong
Mix it, bake it
It won't be long

Breezy, blowy, gusty wind
Swirly, twirly
Walk with a friend
~V. Bailey

Helpful people

2010-09-24T15:51:00.001-05:00

To the nice gentleman that changed my daughters tire then scared her and demanded cigarettes and two beers...I promise it will come back on you. If I knew where to find you, it would be my pleasure to make sure of that.

~Ciao

Flashback

2010-09-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

6th grade:

gouchos
Shaun Cassidy
Dr. Hook
Girl Scouts

7th grade

batons
MTV
David Bowie
Sit ins (yes, our junior High had one…but it was lame)
home perms

8th grade

the Police
Chariots of Fire
Magnum P.I.
babysitting
high heeled cowboy boots

9th grade

MTV
AC/DC
Chevy S-10s

10th grade

punk rock
day glo colors
Challenger
Flashdance
mall hair

11th grade

Billy Squire
acid wash jeans
Gremlins
Ronald Reagan
mullets

12th grade

Bon Jovi
Hunch Punch
AIDS
Live Aid
Back to the Future
New Coke
Gorbachev

Froggin’

2010-09-20T10:26:00.001-05:00

Sometimes…words just aren’t necessary.

Shots!

2010-09-16T20:26:00.001-05:00

Josh needed a sports physical so a quick trip to the doc...then we learn there are a few changes in recommended inoculations. So he had to go see Donna (the bestest shot giver ever)....

She proceeded to give him 4...four shots!

But then she made it better with Iron Man bandaids :)

I made it even more better and treated him to a triple shot latte and a cheese danish.

I am an awesome mom!

~Ciao

What?!?!?

2010-09-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

This just saddens me.
Burning

Where have you been?!?!?

2010-09-03T08:31:00.001-05:00

busy.

We demo’d the kids bathroom…totally. Cut the avocado green bathtub in half, ripped out sheetrock and tiles, pulled up 4…count them…four layers of subflooring and started from scratch!

We now have new subflooring, walls and a much bigger bathtub :) As I type, Jeff is putting another coating of mud on the wallboard so I can paint tomorrow…Serenity Now is the color. Dutch Boy. It’s blue :)

Today is the annual Math Team fundraiser potato sale, so I will make it home around seven-ish.

In much bigger news…My dad had surgery this week…

He had an aortic aneurism stinted at UAB, which is the best hospital he has ever been in! Thanks UAB and Dr. Taylor and all of the cheerful, helpful people in the waiting room and the nurses on M7 floor! You made it as good as it could possibly be!

He is back at home now and in great spirits (oxycodone anyone?) We are grateful.

gasp the heat….gasp

2010-08-10T12:35:00.001-05:00

The heat is killing me. I have only logged about 30 miles in July! When we do run, we run at 8:30 pm…right at sundown (I think its at 8:00 now, though). And it is still so humid! (whining moment here) The problem with running that late is I get WIRED!!! Now maybe you think that’s not so bad, but…I am wired till about 11:00 or 12:00 and my alarm goes off at 4:30. You feel me dawg?!?!?

*sigh*

School starts back for Josh tomorrow and our game plan is to suck it up and run after I get off from work. In the heat. It’s gonna hurt! But, the upside is…it will only get better :) darker, cooler.

Josh has decided that he would rather do the St. Jude’s 1/2 in Memphis rather than the Disney one. *sigh* Since I am still a kid, this comes as a great disappointment to me…but, he mumbled something about blues and B.B. King and I couldn’t refuse. Tell me I’m an awesome mom! I let him run 13 miles where he wants to!

Jeff and I went to Pensacola for a couple of days…just us…no kids… We were speechless! Aimless! Soberless! Nice.

Tidbits and Whatnots

2010-07-28T14:35:00.001-05:00

I got a tattoo! Yep. Walked into a tattoo parlor with four kids and walked out smelling like incense and band-aids. (really my sixteen-year-old and three legal adults…but they are still kids to me). It means “Be Still” in Sanskrit. (according to Google’s transliterate thingy)

My dog got a hot spot that we didn’t see (she has this thick double coat) until the maggots hatched! Seriously! Didn’t know it could happen! Apparently its not uncommon a thing in this horrendously hot weather we are having…I felt so bad and now (with her big-o bald scabbed butt) we call her Scabby Abby :) Because we are awesome that way and love her in spite of the smell!

somebody has somebody trained well…

Jeff will be back at home working next week!! Woot! It’s been 6 weeks now :(
I am down another .4 (I will take what i can get, thank you!)
Did I tell you I got a tattoo? Don’t judge me.

I think that is all for now :)

Jo-Jo Belle

2010-07-22T21:52:00.001-05:00

Does this look innocent to you?

This sweet, comatose baby?

Worst. Case. Of. Gas. EVER.

I'm dying.

Sunny Sunday

2010-07-19T11:17:00.001-05:00

Stevie Ray loves his leash. Because it means freedom!

We took him on a Sunday drive :)

this is his happy face…

Josh loves slobber…

Josh takes AMAZING pictures!

Stevie Ray’s ever present Mohawk :)

A hooker wants my husband…

2010-07-12T10:11:00.001-05:00

and other important updates…

yep, you read right! A hooker wants my husband…for a price. I asked my husband…”how much?” And he gently pointed out that she wanted him to pay. And as fast as the get-rich-quick idea popped in my head, it was gone. *poof* I know it was hard for him to resist spending that $5 (what with her ability to remove her teeth and all), but my man held firm…er…never mind.
Mondays suck.
I am still a vegetarian…notice I put a name to it? Vegetarians still eat fish, eggs and dairy. There are, apparently, many degrees of vegetarianism that I won’t get into right now, but I am learning. And…I still don’t miss meat.
My weight loss has stalled…again. I am still seeing my own personal ~~demon~~ trainer and have some rock hard muscle wrapped up nicely in padding. *sigh* I am hanging in there though…my mileage is picking up in my training so maybe that will help…
Jeff is looking for a career change and all I can say is “Thank God!”
I am getting in the mood for a new home project…Josh and I are eye-balling our nasty carpet and I think that is where we will start…
Mondays suck.
My brother has a new dog! Seems someone decided they didn’t want a Great Pyr and dumped her. Countless missed meals, 72 fat ticks and 3 missing patches of fur later, she found my brother’s porch. And food. And attention. She is much happier now.
I broke down and bought a heart rate monitor for my Garmin. I have yet to run below 80% of my max heart rate. The (220 – age = MHR) formula must be wrong or I can carry on a conversation at 97% of my max heart rate. Does anyone know of a better way to find this out?
Mondays suck.
Men who decide, Ok, I need to lose weight and proceed to drop 8 pounds immediately suck…Jimmy…
I learned that there is nothing better than a lot of out-of-state work and motel toilet paper, to make my husband appreciate brown rice, lentils and veggies! KFC, McDonald’s and BK have lost a big fan these past few weeks…Sweet!

That’s all today! Hope you guys have a great week :)

~Ciao

Despicable me!

2010-07-11T00:47:00.001-05:00

Loved it! Cute, funny and witty. Awesome 3D hoopla :)

But...the girl/young woman behind us had....really. Smelly. Feet. It was bad. Bad.

Things that make me feel like a better person…

2010-07-07T12:34:00.001-05:00

I have been pondering for days about what we (meaning I, of course) want out of life to be happy and/or satisfied..

Money? Mother Teresa didn’t have any.

Health? Gandhi was starving most of his life.

A nice home? Dian Fossey lived in a shack.

Maybe it has something to do with me reading a book by the Dalai Lama.

Nothing causes inner reflection more than infusing yourself with someone else’s good mojo. Something about the Dalai Lama just makes me…peaceful.

Anyway…I have decided that we (most of us, that is) can live without the fancy trappings. When I think of all the people that seem to have spent (and are spending) their lives as satisfied and happy individuals, they all have one thing in common…They all work(ed) at being a better person! Its not just one good deed and then they are done. They never stop(ped)!

So, naturally, my next step is…a list!

What makes me feel like a better person?

my kids (I feel like a am good at being a mom, but, seriously, that is going to be very part time before long)
doing a good job at work (I usually feel like I can do better)
being someone that people can depend on (I always feel I fall short here)
making a difference (this one actually affects all of the ones above)

The last one…making a difference…that’s the biggie. I want to make a difference.

hmm…

Detox

2010-06-25T12:21:00.001-05:00

I think its time for a detox.

No, no. No laxatives, supplements or flushes.

Just a simple detox from crap.

Fruits, veggies, water. Lots of ‘em!

Sauna sessions, salt soaks, scrubs.

Running, strength training, yoga.

Closet purges, fixture dusting, drawer dumps (not those kinds of drawers OR those kinds of dumps, thank you!)

Clutter dispersing, fridge overhauling, desk clearing.

No sodas, sugar, animal fat.

No packaged food, dairy, breads.

7 days.

Starting in the morning.

Saturday to Friday.

Wish me luck!

week 2 training schedule

2010-06-21T10:40:00.001-05:00

Mon Jun 21
All day

rest

Tue Jun 22
All day

Wed Jun 23
All day

All day

Thu Jun 24
All day

All day

Fri Jun 25
All day

Sat Jun 26
All day

5 miles

Sun Jun 27
All day

2 miles

Disney wine and dine run

2010-06-15T11:12:00.001-05:00

Josh and I are signing on for the Disney Inaugural Wine and Dine Half Marathon and are totally pumped! The run starts at 10:00pm with an after-race party at the Epcot :) Its gonna be cool :)

16 weeks to train. My only goal is to run the race with no walk breaks! Wish us luck!

Tue Jun 15
All day

Wed Jun 16
All day

All day

Thu Jun 17
All day

All day

Fri Jun 18
All day

Sat Jun 19
All day

4 miles

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." ~Stephen Bishop

2010-06-11T14:41:00.003-05:00

My husband is working out of town next week. (Umm…Can I post that safely?)

Ok, hang on. For you would be burglars or rapists out there…

I am armed…(packin' heat) and not afraid to use it.

I am protected…
120 lbs. of ‘can’t touch that’ and boy, does she love me!

do not let the Don King look fool you…he loves me too!

And my dad is right around the corner…and guess what? He loves me too!

Where was I…? Oh, yeah. Hubby going out of town…My whole grocery list and schedule changes. Its like a mini vacation for both of us. He can eat pizza and I can make Brussel sprouts the main course. He can go to bed at 8:00 and I can still be at the gym at 8:00. He can watch Cops and I won’t even turn the television on!

But, I will be ready for him to come home at the end of the week and warm my feet. He will come home and tell me his stomach doesn’t feel good. He will grab an apple and ask me how I can watch the T.V with the screen so dusty…

I love being married :)

Idleness is sweet, and its consequences are cruel ~John Quincy Adams

2010-06-08T13:15:00.001-05:00

Sunday. Overcast. Empty lake.
Boat. Book. Bathing suit.
No phone. No t.v. No work.
My view for the day:

My cost for the day:

*sigh*
Still worth it…

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

2010-06-04T12:26:00.001-05:00

My husband is losing his hearing.
I know this because he can’t hear that blasted squeak that his recliner makes when he rocks it…constantly.
I know this because he has to rewind a show or movie to show us that there wasn’t a telephone ringing, the actor just picked it up and started talking.
I know this because “Why didn’t you tell me?” is a regular question from him to me.
I know this because he will make an observation and we will all look at each other…because one of us just said the same exact thing.
*sigh*
Anyone have an old Victrola I can salvage parts from?

I have moments when I realize I don’t know what in the hell is going on.

2010-05-27T08:59:00.001-05:00

Truly I do.

Sometimes at work I feel like I am playing grown-up. Sometimes when I am telling my kids to do something, I think…who am I to be bossing them around?!?!?

When I shop, clean, drive, make appointments, etc., I sometimes get flashes of “oh Crap!” “Really, someone else should make these decisions!”

One of my biggest fears?? Is that people can tell.

Should I be seeking therapy or is everyone else in the same boat? Am I all alone in my boat with no paddle?

Painting by:
Paul Schulenburg
Wooden Boat
Oil
14x17

Personal training session 4

2010-05-19T15:06:00.001-05:00

Woot! Sheila had to push me harder to make it hurt :) I think she has something devious in mind for next week though...she told me to bring a towel because I was gonna need it...

Weight is up almost a pound, but since I am doing everything right, I am chalking it up to muscle gain!

On a side note:
I noticed a lake's worth of water bottles at the gym...please fill a reusable bottle at home and save on plastic! It's better for you and the environment!

~Ciao

5 pictures

2010-05-17T09:48:00.001-05:00

Judi, over at www.milesandmadness.blogspot.com has a new game...post the last 5 pictures on your phone that you didn't post on facebook...
Here are mine:

Heading up the hill to my in-laws

A worm in my garden

Sweetie wanting love

Stevie Ray looking good

My son waiting for runners to come in at a local 5k

~Ciao

Hot, humid and hard

2010-05-15T10:44:00.001-05:00

I did an interval workout this morning...I lasted 40 minutes before the heat and humidity kicked my butt!

I think we are looking at a very hot summer this year.

So bring on the flies, mosquitos and ticks...I can outrun 'em all :)

Well...the ticks at least...

~Ciao

Personal training session 3

2010-05-12T17:22:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I worked arms and abs...I still have some dragging in my left arm where I snapped that tendon, but all in all it was a great workout :)

And...

Are you ready for this?

I am down 5 pounds! Woot!

See me cheering?? I am like a happy stick-bug...all skinny and stuff. Ok, I know it's not a stick-bug...you try to find a cheering stick-bug! Don't judge me.

~Ciao

One of those days...

2010-05-06T12:11:00.001-05:00

Do you ever have those days where you truely feel not wanted and not needed???

~Ciao

Personal training session 2

2010-05-04T19:48:00.001-05:00

Today, Shelia made me work my legs to muscle failure.

Ouch.

Extremely hard!

Sitting now.

~Ciao

Bedtime

2010-05-03T21:40:00.000-05:00

Tea, sandalwood incense and quiet

Goodnight...

Can running yogis pack heat?

2010-05-02T02:36:00.001-05:00

Cause I got this today!

I am so excited! And no. I do not hunt anything. I just like to shoot targets. This is a Ruger P95 9mm. At 27oz, it's on the heavier side, but the safety features are outstanding! With two 15 round, double stacked clips, I am pretty sure I can take out a drug-crazed sex offender before he can cut my Achilles tendon and end my running career...what? So I have had a couple of scenarios where I am totally kick-butt! Don't judge me.

On another note...I think I have an addiction.

I am going through my magazines and these are just the ones I am keeping. I have three bags to take to my aunt. I have some online subscriptions, but truely, there is nothing like sitting quietly in bed and flipping thru a magazine and enjoying solitude...

~Ciao

I know you have been dying to know…

2010-04-30T08:16:00.001-05:00

What I have been up to…

Josh fractured his hip so, obviously, I haven’t been running. What’s that? Why? Because Josh in my mojo. Don’t judge me.
Kodi got an award! (that’s my girl!)
I topped out my weight. *sigh* at 167. I have since put down the ice cream and brought it down to 163.2…
I started with a personal trainer yesterday…Shelia…that’s what I call her…for now.
Jeff has a new job. Bigger bucks. Less time. He is happy.
Work is picking up. I still have a job. I am happy.
I am running today. A wimpy two miles. Don’t judge me.
Kodi is coming home next week for the summer :) The first time since she went off to college! ‘Bout time!
Josh and Eric have to wash and vacuum my jeep. They sold their souls for nerf swords. No, really. They are almost grown-ups.

cya!

Vow

2010-04-27T10:38:00.001-05:00

in my next life...

2010-04-22T05:45:00.000-05:00

I want to be a cat.

No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it. ~Charles Schultz

2010-04-14T08:55:00.000-05:00

I finally remembered to take the camera on our walk :)

Jeff, like Jo-Jo, only made it to the second stop sign...but a year ago he wouldn't have walked there. Progress!!

Baby pinecones!

Cell phone reception blocker...

I love the smell of wisteria

ponies...they are the cutest!

one came to say hello :)

All of our neighbors are out. Hi Johnathan!!

our yard in the spring

In Training

The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights. ~Giotto di Bondone

I wanna Kindle

2012, week 2

2012, Week 1

New Year

New curtains, Old mind

wish I was there...

Song of the day

On my nightstand

Yuletide

It takes a long time to grow an old friend. ~John Leonard

Dreaming Tree

A mother who is really a mother is never free. ~Honore de Balzac

It’s Monday and I don’t care…

Mmm…

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

A week in review

On my nightstand

Various stages of Unfinishness

On my nightstand

I think I took my motivation off with last weeks clothes, but I haven't washed it yet...

On my nightstand

Official start of Jazz 1/2 Marathon training!

It always seems impossible until its done. ~Nelson Mandela

Harry Potter

On my nightstand

On my nightstand

In my son's truck seat...

100s at 6am

New Race!

I’m still here…

I can make it...

On my nightstand

How to Marry a Millionaire

Talladega 2011

On my nightstand...

sandra bullock strikes again!

jon cryer - gotta love him!

On my nightstand

My Mother came to visit…

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…

Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot. ~Groucho Marx

My son…

one eskimo

Decade Recap

Looking back…

Dustin Hoffman & Robert DeNiro

2010 Cross Country Sectionals

Facelift!

Tossing and Turmoil

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." Mark Twain

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call…

with the right incentive…

things I have learned this week

My girl in action!

Our new bathroom in pictures

Brace yourself...

October

Helpful people

Flashback

Froggin’

Shots!

What?!?!?

Where have you been?!?!?

*gasp* the heat….*gasp*

Tidbits and Whatnots

Jo-Jo Belle

Sunny Sunday

A hooker wants my husband…

Despicable me!

Things that make me feel like a better person…

Detox

week 2 training schedule

Disney wine and dine run

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." ~Stephen Bishop

Idleness is sweet, and its consequences are cruel ~John Quincy Adams

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

I have moments when I realize I don’t know what in the hell is going on.

Personal training session 4

gasp the heat….gasp