Way too long.

It has been way to long since my last post.

Life has been so busy.  I think back to this time last year...writing thank you notes for shower gifts, working with wedding vendors, finals for 2 classes I was taking...one was Statistics {yuck}, the list can go on and on...how did I do it? Minus the wedding stuff, the same things making life too busy are still present, but maybe I am putting more effort into what I have now, just as the wedding received all of my effort last year. I wish there was more time. One of my little art students made a "time machine" sculpture yesterday....he needs to get working on a "time freezing" machine. That sounds good.

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With only 13.5 days left of school with kids....maybe I will finally get around to posting wedding pictures? get back to running? finally organize? have a garage sale? learn how to use my camera better? write my dissertation? hmmmm. huge "to do" list.

Couch to 5k Week 1 day 2

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I am glad to have this workout behind me.  I worried about the weather forecast and if that would prevent me from working out.  Fortunately it was a gorgeous day.  I also bailed out on the first day of the new run/walk club at work because I did have time to get my gear together this morning.  So I kinda felt that I was looking for an excuse to not do it today.  So I made plan....a, b, C! Plan C was to go home and get it over with...then make dinner and do homework.  Who would have thought that I would rather learn to run that do homework?

So about the "run" today.  I felt really good about it!  I felt around interval 5 that I was getting worn out, but once I got to 6, I could see the end and before I knew it, I was FINISHED! Whew.  Looking forward to Friday and finishing week 1.  My quads have been sore since Monday.  I did stretch after Monday's workout, and again after today's, but I would rather they just stop aching.  I am very surprised that my feet are not giving me problems!  I plan to treat myself to new shoes over spring break if I keep it up...

I do need to find a 5k, so I keep myself motivated and have a purpose for doing this.  I found one on June 12th that benefits Haiti...and that is our 1st anniversary weekend! That would also give me several extra weeks if I needed it to get prepared.  I honestly cannot even imagine being able to run for 3 miles without stopping.  Any suggestions for 5k's in May or June?

Couch to 5K Week 1 day 1

 

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Well, the time has come. I have been so interested in the Couch to 5K program since reading about it on this blog.  I have always said that my body was not made to run, but then I read the book Mindset, and realized that you can really do anything that you set your mind to.  This book is amazing by the way as it relates to so may aspects of life. So anyway, it is time to challenge the fixed mindset I have had about my running abilities an actually get off the couch and do it.

I downloaded the podcast from Robert Ullrey, and set out on my first interval run/walk workout. The program is to briskly walk for a 5 minute warm-up, then do 8 intervals of 60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking recovery.  I was feeling towards the end on interval 6 and 7 that I could not do this, and I will admit that I did not run the entire time.  The last interval was very motivating and I finished it. Boy I did want to quit, and just walk though.  This was followed by a 5 minute cool down and then I did some stretching.

I am a little bummed that the weather is supposed to be rainy the rest of the week.  I thought, well maybe I would wait until March 18th when I am on spring break, but I was off work today and I was motivated.  So this is it.  Just day 1, I am committing to Wednesday and Friday of this week as well to complete the 3 sessions required for the program. Baby steps.

busy

I really dislike being busy. Wedding planning was fun. I loved it. I know that all brides do not though. I loved seeing everything come together and have a beautiful end product that I have crafted and designed.

It seems that I have gone from wedding planning heaven to dissertation hell. Now that the wedding is over, I have to devote my free time to this beast of a paper. Chapter 3 {rough draft} is due this Monday, but honestly....I still have not written chapter 2 {rough draft}. The lit review has left me with writers block. I have a much smaller paper due this Monday and I am using that to cure this block of mine. So today (saturday and tomorrow) I am writing. While everyone else is enjoying the uncharacteristically warm weather I am inside writing. Am I procrastinator, why yes! Do I love writing papers, and reading hundred of articles? Ummm, no. I like making things. This is why I enjoyed my undergraduate degree in Fine Art. No final papers usually for me....I got to make things.

So it is fitting that my dissertation topic revolves around learning styles...

I have time to write this 100+ page document. I am projected to finish May 2011. Plenty of time to solve my procrastination issue.

cracked mac...

My beloved MacBook Pro has been ill of late. Funky stuff has been happening to the screen. Chris and I discovered that if we pinched the frame of the screen on the right side that we could get it to work. You just had to type with one hand, surf with one hand, etc...rather inconvenient.

This leads me to the other night. Chris was on the Pro and I heard this loud snap sound. The screen CRACKED internally. Not working now. Do I have an my stuff backed up? Nope...

I do not know what to do! I know I need to go to the Mac store and see about replacing the screen...anyone go through this? Ugh.

This has been one big reason why I have procrastinated about posting wedding pics. So inconvenient with the goofy screen...now I may lose everything! grrr....

Good thing the wedding pictures on on a disc. Wish me luck!

in the swing of things.

I love a project, hence why I love wedding planning so much. I get so involved in the task at hand that everything else is just second fiddle to my new devotion. I decided to spend one day and give it all that I had to get things in order for a new year. Unfortunately, I over did it. I figured that the achy feelings would subside with some rest. I had a deadline for the aches and pains to go away, and well they decided to stick around. I find my self in a similar but different predicament as last year.

So it really sucks. Yes. I had another epidural. Even though last year I got really nauseous, this one was much worse, no nausea, just pain during the procedure. I feel like I did so well managing my pain last year that this was all that I needed. Hmmm. not so much. Long story short, and a copay to my general doctor, oral steriods and some PT on on the list of "to-do's" and hopefully and the very bottom is a visit to a or a few surgeons.

The good news is that I am most comfortable at work. I get up early since I cannot sleep as well and am working late. Laying around is not so good for a herniated disc.

I plan to keep very busy this weekend doing light house work and some much needed organizing. I have been so absent from blogging and reading blogs that I am ready for some thing inspiring. And I know I still need to post some wedding pics. It was all so exciting 2 months ago, and now I really just need a break from anything "wedding". How strange that it can change so fast.

where oh where...

has summer gone?

I know the warm weather is not officially over, but I do have to say good-bye to afternoon naps, watching movies anytime of the day or night, sleeping in with Frankie {my kitty}, ahhh

As much as I am going to miss being off work, I am glad that I am going back to a schedule...welcoming the familiar and meeting the new. Hmmm.

I can sum up my prediction for tomorrow in one word...CRAZY.

Guess I better go pack my lunch and pick out my outfit for the first day of school!

in response to my last post...

From Chris...

Ok, I don’t twitter either, but I just sat down at my desk and I am typing an e-mail to my fiancé like I am twittering, I hope she gets this before something else happens so I can tell her that too. Ok, now I am going to go to the bathroom. End tweet : p

Smart ass.

tweet tweet!

I don't twitter, but I just got back from tanning and whitening my teeth at the same time. I am so seriously excited about this teeth whitening business while you tan! It might be my subconscious but I totally notice a difference! end tweet.

Stay tuned...

I have been extremely busy since my last post. I won't go into details, but I have several posts planned. My camera also broke, so that posed an issue with most of the pictures I wanted to post, on that card. Fortunately I was able to get them off the card and now I am moving forward with my new basic point and shoot. I have grandiose dreams of owning a fancy camera one day...so I went cheap on the new camera. I am very happy with this new camera...so I hope it lasts for a while!

and the award goes to....

Me! I have never received an award in the land of blogs until....now! I am so incredibly flattered and especially because I received this from the uber cool Stephanie at Kitschicagoan. She has such fabulous posts and I always read her blog! Thanks Steph!

Now, for the fun part...Here are the rules:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

While I am not going to deliver this award to any specific blogger...I definitely plan to spread the love.... if I read your blog, it is for one big reason: I enjoy reading it! So to all of your filling my google reader, I promise to comment more and thanks for the fabulous entertainment!!!!!

kids are funny.

Last night I went and spent some much needed time with my nephews and my sister-in-law. I have been so busy with working out, taking classes, work, wedding planning...that I had been neglecting my "aunt" duties.

So Ty the 3 yr. old did not want me to leave he was so funny. He kept giving me kisses and bear hugs, I am lucky if I get a kiss and hug out of him these days! Now Nate the 1 1/2 yr. old is all about the hugs and kisses.

The funniest part of the evening was when Ty asks, "Auntie, when are you going to have a baby?" The whole room burst into laughs. Hilarious. No one knows where he got that idea from! So we asked if we could trade Frankie for Nate, and Ty was totally on board. Obviously a trade was not going to happen, but try and explain that to a 3 yr. old. He then asked if we would take him with us. Heh. Again, obviously we did not. It was a fun evening.

obsessive...

I have been blogging/reading blogs/researching wedding stuff/surfing the net/ WAY TOO MUCH. Chris has brought this to my attention on many occasions. I am only allowing myself 30 minutes to blog/check email/catch up and that is it.....until later. I think this might work! Chris wonders what I will do after the wedding.....my response? home blogs or baby blogs. hehe.

holiday epidural?

So, I have been having back/sciatic issues for about 2 1/2 year now. With the wedding less than 7 months away and my desire to have a pain free honeymoon, I decided to do something about this annoyance. So lets cut to the chase. My general doctor said that my MRI results were THE worst she has ever seen, and we really have to do something about this VERY large herniated disc. Now fast forward to today. I visit a pain management doctor and after the initial consultation received my first course of treatment. Oh yes. An epidural. Now most people that receive one eventually leave with a baby. I left with instructions NOT to work out...no power walking even, for 2 weeks. AND the potential to have another epidural in 2 weeks. hmmmm.....I did not fare that well. I am told that just the anxiety of the unknown can have cause nausea.....well I was nauseas for sure. After the fact and now three hours after the event, I am feeling ok...but I have also been told that things will get worse before they get better. yuck.

So in addition to some advil, I picked up some Ben and Jerry's. I know, not the best choice since I cannot work off the calories, but is a new flavor....cake batter. oh.my.goodness. yellow cake batter ice cream swirled with chocolate frosting...seriously. If you know me at all, you know that this is MY birthday cake every year since for ever! Love the yellow cake with chocolate icing... yum. The best pick-me-up after a little holiday epidural.

Chickens! Bok Bok!

I have been meaning to post pictures of the chickens from my adventure to Iowa/South Dakota. I really liked the chickens!Here they are eating some bread that Clifford was tossing them.
Here comes the crazy one! This white chicken was a little odd.
I hope they are doing well at the farm! :)

Iowa's BIG 5...

I am definitely a city girl. If I was not sure of this before (which I was) I am definitely sure now! I had the pleasure this weekend to see Iowa's big 5. Now when we venture out to South Africa for the honeymoon of a lifetime, we hope to see the real big 5-Lion, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Black Rhino, and Leopard. Well in honor of my trip Iowa/South Dakota this labor day weekend, I wanted to post the BIG 5 that I saw!

Crickets/Grasshoppers
Ever fall asleep to the sound of crickets? Were you INSIDE? I bet not.
The Grasshoppers outside were unreal all kinds. Jumpy ones, ones that jumped and then FLEW with wings? Never seen such a thing!

Donkeys
Too cute for words...wish I had a picture

Cows
They were everywhere!

Chickens
I could not get enough of the chickens, except when Joel wanted to take my picture with one. He threw the chicken and it bee-lined for Erin. Not a good moment on the farm. I did also learn that chickens will eat anything, even crispy chicken strips.

Mice
Well, if I had to choose a critter that would come by land (mouse) or air (bat), then I pick land. I had heard rumors of bats in the farmhouse...so I slept with my head covered, but I did not get any warnings about potential mice. I only saw one though.

It was definitely an adventure! The land was beautiful and I will go back again in the future! I played golf for the first time and even managed to hit the ball :)!

Sold!

Woot woot! Got the wii fit!

Going Once, Going Twice!

I am trying to "win" a wii fit on ebay today. As part of my quest to be a knock-out bride, I am going to be working out more. Trainer Megan is going to be working with me up until the wedding and I have my bootcamp class with her too that totally makes you want to throw up! She kicks your butt with a smile. She is just so great that it is hard to quit!

Anyway, Joel and Erin got us hooked on wii. We have one (not hooked up) and now I want a wii fit! I think it would be totally fun! So how much is too much? I am not bidding, but just watching. There are MANY auctions ending this morning for the fit so I do not want to be too hasty in bidding! Maybe all the diehards will give up and I will get one for less that $150? Maybe? Or maybe I will just wait.

Miss Scarlet in the Library with the candlestick...

Ok, last post today. I promise! I just came across this picture...I made that costume!
I am Miss Scarlet, on the right. Miss White is my partner in crime Krissy. Don't we look fabulous?

What a day!

I normally would not post about everyday things, but boy did I have a crazy day and it is only 3:15! I have to leave for class in 15 mins, so I better make this fast!

Vern Update
Well little kitty is still at the HSMO. He will be there until the 6th or 7th. He is still sneezing, so lets hope he is better soon! I created a list of potential names for Vern, no Jill, we will not keep his name Vern! Chris decided one day that this kitty should be named Frankie since he has blue eyes. Hmmm, Frankie (or Franklin) is on the list of potential names, and I am warming up to the idea since my hopes of naming him Finn have been all but crushed! I will definitely post pictures of Vern when he arrives.

Aligned?
So my day was to start out with dentist appointment to get my invisalign retainer! Woot! Woot! I cannot believe that I am finished with my trays already, that seemed like it went really fast. Don't get me wrong, there were days when I just wanted to rip my teeth out of my mouth just to be finished with the trays, fortunately I still have all of my teeth now they are perfect!

Emergency Room
Who would have thought that when I woke up this morning that I would spend some time in the ER? Interesting huh! Don't you hate it when something happens and it wasn't even your fault...grrr... Anyway. I got up to get ready for the dentist, got in the shower. I was washing my hair and all of the sudden out of the corner of my eye, I see the mirror that was hanging on the window in the bathroom fall. It was like it was falling in slow motion. I kept thinking, PLEASE do not break. So it did not break, but man did my toe hurt. Then comes the blood. I was so confused! Why was I bleeding when the mirror did not break. As I am getting myself together and fighting the excruciating pain, I realize there is something laying on the bottom of the tub. It is the handle to the soap holder. Interesting. So on the mirrors downward decent, it crashed into the porcelin soap holder in the shower, broke off the handle and the handle is what sliced my foot. Ouch. So I get ready, apply a few steri-strips a bandaid and go off to the dentist, taste some cake, and then head to the ER. Anyway, I was able to have it glued instead of having stitches since the bleeding pretty much stopped. So I have my three toes on my left foot taped together. It hurts when I walk which is a bummer. Oh well. Time for class!