Wonderful Wednesday

Yesterday, I ran 7 miles (with a little speed work, obstacles, little water and looming black clouds nonetheless). I cleared my head and made some important decisions about races, my career, and extracurricular activities. Some days, those long(er) runs alone are needed. Now, if only my bike rides were going as smoothly. My last ended up with me in a mud puddle near a busy street and scratches on my legs and mud all down the left side of my body.

We also had a stir yesterday. Our neighbor's dog escaped. I offered to keep her in our backyard. However, our cat, Rajah, was less than enthused about this and our dog, Snickers, continued to bark and would not go outside for much of the time she was in our backyard. The cats stood at the door and watched her run up to it and back from it. Like good neighbors, we ended up releasing her when it was late, because the neighbors would not answer their door and we wanted to go to bed. However, the dog caused some anxious animals at our home to stay up for quite a while before hitting the hay.

Birthday

So my birthday was two days ago. Even though I turned 26, I am still excited about it. My birthday is used as a reference point for everything. We went camping a few weeks after my birthday last year...I think that it was a few days before my birthday...Grace is getting married the day before my birthday next year. Yeah, I love June 12. It is my favorite day. I would not pick another day to have my birthday ever.

So...this year, we had a cookout at our house for a few friends. One from Chicago spent the night. It was really good to see some friends and catch up with some other ones for a while. We made lots of food, which we are still eating on. In the midst of feeling as if I didn't have any friends (because I barely see them anymore), my birthday was a great reminder that I am loved. I also was able to run with my dad and sis (or go for a swim really with the humidity), which was followed by coffee with some peeps, and shopping for presents for others. I got some sweet presents, including a GPS (since my last one broke in the middle of me driving to a client's house), a metal water bottle, and a necklace set. Plus, I might have a few breakfasts coming this week.:) This may be my birthday week. Hey, I can handle that.

Giving myself a break

So...finally taking the advice of one of my friends, I have decided to give myself a break. I have decided to allow myself to relax a little bit more and to not convince myself I "have to" do certain things, especially things I enjoy. I ran a trail run yesterday with a friend and didn't push myself; enjoying the scenery and the process was more important (besides, I have the memory of my shoe coming completely off in the mud). I decided I needed to relax today instead of going to an open house out of town and decided that I wouldn't push myself getting ready for a Brad Paisley concert yesterday, even allowing myself to leave early if I wanted to do so. Although I don't want to become lazy, I realize I need to enjoy what I am doing more than just checking it off a "to-do" list. I am exhausted and need to probably go to bed early tonight.

Spring is coming!

I have convinced myself for some time now that spring will begin mid-March. March 13 is the day I have decided that it will begin. Yes, I have decided for Mother Nature when spring will begin. A canceled appointment allowed for me to come home to my little angels for a little bit. Snick and I took a very short walk in the amazing cool spring weather and I discovered that my seedlings had already been removed from the windowsill and the bag chewed by one of the cats. So...cat willing...I will have seedlings in a few weeks. Maybe I can end my black thumb curse after all. Otherwise, Zoe will be to blame.

Running, Eggs, Organization, and Disney=my weekends

So...a quick update on my life. Last weekend consisted of a trip to Chicago to see my friend Graciela for her 30th birthday party. She also showed me her major rock...she's engaged! Besides that, I was able to see my prego roomie from college on bed rest and run with my sis. I was smart enough to take my sister through the rough areas of town (I was a social work major in college...I know where they are) and on a snow and ice laden path next to the river...yeah, I have had brighter ideas. There is a guy who told us to run faster because we were running in the wrong neighborhoods. Oops...

My latest culinary obsession is eggs. I managed to make toast with a cool little heart cut out in the middle of it. The problem...one side became French toast, the other, eggs and toast. That cool trick has a little work to be done. I also managed to poach my first eggs yesterday. Yes, I am proud enough of myself to take a picture.:)

I also managed to clean out the shoes in my closet. I am surprised how many shoes I have and still am totally clueless as to what to do with my Doc Martens from high school that have barely been worn in eight years.

Last, but nowhere near least, T-4 days until Disney. I am stoked!

Winter Weather and Other stuff

Today it was -1 degree when I woke up at 5:20am. That's right...there were no degrees in the air. So what did I do? Decide that between the storms, running would be a good idea. I wore: a pair of compression shorts, two pairs of running tights (my now usual winter running garb), a pair of sweatpants, a moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt, a Zyflex shirt, a fleece shirt, a lightweight jacket, a pair of running gloves (courtesy of Megan and Bradley), a hat, and of course, shoes and socks. Yes, it was a lot of layers. However, we decided that all of our layers equaled a lightweight running vest. Plus, it was icy, snowy, and freezing outside. We already felt hardcore. Then I was told upon returning to the Y that my eyelashed were frozen. Now THAT is cold. Chris and I deserve medals...we decided this. Even Ironman Buck couldn't handle this morning. Yeah, we are just that awesome.:)

Baking was put on hold due to having to work almost all day Sat. Oh, and I have been organizing. I found at minimum of a dozen pairs of socks without mates. Plus, I found malaria and Traveler's Diarrhea medicine that had expired two and a half years ago. I guess I held onto it anticipating leaving the country again. So sad...a dream put on hold. It is amazing the junk I have and have not even bothered to search through.

Today is Snickers' birthday. He is 14. It is odd after all the things I have had to remember in 14 years, I still know his birthday. Yes, my dog is old.

As we gear up for another snowstorm, bundle up or enjoy warm weather if you live there. Cuddl Duds are my new best friends.

Day 1

Today's first day of the cleaning regime=finding checks from an account closed two years ago, discovering an unopened disposable camera, and a snow globe that is supposed to have a picture in it (it doesn't)...plus tithe envelopes from when I was in college. Boy this cleaning stuff was badly needed....