tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76292073369900669582024-03-13T02:47:35.296-06:00The Adventures of Marshmarathon and KnittyKnurseThe adventures of mild-mannered knitting nurse by day and her alter-ego wannabe marathon runner in her spare time!christijnphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14649753076016582213noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-40319785906657329752013-11-10T19:20:00.000-06:002013-11-10T19:20:45.701-06:00Why I LiftFive months from my last post and I am still doing the CrossFit thang! It almost seems unreal that I have kept up with ANY fitness endeavor for so long. I thought I would update you on my progress.<br />
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<b>In 5 months... </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>I am 28 pounds lighter</li>
<li>My baseline workout (21 - 15 - 9 reps of squats, pushups, sit-ups) finished 15 minutes faster</li>
<li>I am 4 pant sizes smaller</li>
<li>a bra cup smaller :(</li>
<li>My deadlift improved 75 pounds</li>
<li>My back squat improved 70 pounds</li>
<li>My push press improved 40 pounds</li>
<li>I haven't measured it, but I can run further before walking</li>
<li>I use my asthma inhaler way less</li>
<li>My joints hurt less</li>
<li>I went from working out 2-3 days per week to 4-6 days per week</li>
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...but those reasons are not enough to stand the test of time to keep me showing up week after week when I've hit a weight loss plateau (for the past month), or I feel like I'm not improving like I should, or when the 20-somthing year olds are still leaving me in the dust.<br />
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Why keep going? Two main reasons:<br />
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1) <b><u> I found something I love.</u> </b>If there's a barbell, kettle bell or slam ball involved, then it's game ON! I feel powerful. I can take on the world. I especially <b>love</b> Olympic weight lifting. When the workout includes a barbell, I'm loving it. Even when I'm laying in the "recovery position' and often dead last afterwards, I feel accomplished and athletic. FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO DO! I'm not bashing other avenues of fitness, this is just what clicked for me. Try out different things, get a friend involved!<br />
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2) <u style="font-weight: bold;">I figured out what I was fighting for.</u> We've all seen the trite "fitspiration" memes on the interwebs that say "to look good naked" or "nothing tastes as good as thin feels". I'm sorry, but those reasons make me want to vomit. I don't know about you, but that's not enough reason to make such a lifestyle change when you're sweating your toenails and pushing yourself harder than you ever thought you could. I had a hard time nailing down my reasons until I read a post <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTestosteroneNation/posts/10151969526856117:0" target="_blank">Find Your Fight by Nate Miyaki </a>and it was like a lightbulb moment for me! I'm not the same person!<br />
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<b>I'm fighting...</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>for my health - I have psoriatic arthritis and my increasing weight and couch potato experience points weren't doing me any favors</li>
<li>to not feel weak and incapable</li>
<li>to be a good example for my patients and to earn more trust as a healthcare provider. You might not trust a skinny cook, but you certainly have trouble trusting a fat healthcare provider giving health advice.</li>
<li>against empty nest syndrome </li>
<li>loneliness and boredom </li>
<li>to feel comfortable in my own skin. </li>
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<br />Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-64055109528957600542013-06-16T14:44:00.000-06:002013-06-25T11:03:48.457-06:00Drinking the Cr-ool AidOkay, so that was a terrible attempt at a pun for a title, but I'm sure you're not reading this for my literary prose. (By the way, why ARE you reading this? I've been gone for months!) Anyhoo, I have restarted posting on my blog to tell you about my newest love, <a href="http://www.crossfit.com/" target="_blank">CrossFit</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://troll.me/images/crossfit/crossfit-realizing-you-joined-a-cult-and-being-ok-with-it-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://troll.me/images/crossfit/crossfit-realizing-you-joined-a-cult-and-being-ok-with-it-thumb.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
WAIT! Don't click away yet! Don't look at me like the Amway salesman or those college kids selling magazines! Now, if you're looking at me up and down like "um, <i>YOU</i> do CrossFit?" with those disbelieving eyes at my spare tire and badonkadonk, then you'd be more on target. Do any google image search on CrossFit and you will have pages upon pages of muscled guys doing pull-ups and lifting weights. Go on and look, I'll wait. It's verra nice eye candy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIEqMWiKRcQPU1l2ilTY-izGCivQZDn-mceJhV6S2YSI8tpcvLoo5SAVpqk4byMA1jJlzDwn1n_NeMZ0qNzGJL5K5fDs3vsMJpsq7mvGlAObBGQ-2mR_W45-l7leBXQ2IONAYIpHiNQA/s1600/Satan%2527s+Sidewalk%252C+treadmill%252C+funny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIEqMWiKRcQPU1l2ilTY-izGCivQZDn-mceJhV6S2YSI8tpcvLoo5SAVpqk4byMA1jJlzDwn1n_NeMZ0qNzGJL5K5fDs3vsMJpsq7mvGlAObBGQ-2mR_W45-l7leBXQ2IONAYIpHiNQA/s200/Satan%2527s+Sidewalk%252C+treadmill%252C+funny.jpg" width="200" /></a>I remember looking up CrossFit about a year ago after falling down some internet rabbit hole on exercising. I quickly decided to mind-save that for later when I had lost weight and restarted running again. I thought it was way over my head and only for serious athletes and the nearest "box" was 30-35 minutes away, so <a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2010/01/half-marathon.html" target="_blank">running is what I did</a>...over...and over...and over... until I read this article: <a href="http://athlete.io/5343/why-women-should-not-run/" target="_blank">Why Women Should Not Run</a>. The article had me thinking about my current "training" and why I never really felt "fit" by <i>ONLY</i> running. I continued to stay overweight. I dove back into the rabbit hole and came up with CrossFit again. I saw that a "box" had opened in my town a year before and mustered up the courage to walk in for the first time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEJ5Ay2DIUN2roGuD7O9yQYtNs5Fsg4xGjGmtZQDnwUtnopcVpxM2nhVwRtpKg0SA6AK-B6He7CShxBpHe0xl6FllTWeE8Oaw9QoUIjCPoJEX7tvcH181qQCT2yP5k7xC6vf7Q5hdkmXf/s1600/20025610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEJ5Ay2DIUN2roGuD7O9yQYtNs5Fsg4xGjGmtZQDnwUtnopcVpxM2nhVwRtpKg0SA6AK-B6He7CShxBpHe0xl6FllTWeE8Oaw9QoUIjCPoJEX7tvcH181qQCT2yP5k7xC6vf7Q5hdkmXf/s200/20025610.jpg" width="200" /></a>Apprehension was an understatement. I showed up to the "Ladies Only" class, got a tour, explanations on what is CrossFit and noticed that the women were of all body types. Instead of technical weight machines with little computers, I saw barbells, jump ropes, weighted balls, kettle bells and and pull-up bars. A little less anxious now and ready to work on my "baseline". "Baseline" is also code for "you're-really-gonna-suck-hard-so-you'll-have-room-to-improve". Baseline consisted of the following performed for time: 21-15-9 reps of <a href="http://youtu.be/gAa-x7aevns" target="_blank">push ups</a> (I did girl pushups), sit-ups (<a href="http://youtu.be/_HPfXutjB1s" target="_blank">CrossFit situps</a> were easier on my back) and <a href="http://youtu.be/xDdSZmWNYQI" target="_blank">squats</a> with a 200 meter run between. Sometime after my arms and legs decided to quit cooperating, I finally finished the baseline DEAD LAST. CrossFit: the only sport where the last to finish gets the most applause and encouragement.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/192x/c3/30/f2/c330f2a3c6756ef2b97ed9e5b9aa8821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/192x/c3/30/f2/c330f2a3c6756ef2b97ed9e5b9aa8821.jpg" width="170" /></a>Was I sore? Hells to the yeah. Did I feel like an 80 year old who had been hit by a truck for a few days? You betcha. But I also discovered that I had worked out muscles that the Y had never found. I also knew this was to be expected for the first day, but somehow people move on and KEEP GOING. My coach was adamant that I not give up on myself and even messaged me on Facebook a couple of times to make sure I was okay. Determined not to be THAT girl who gives up after one class, I went back, and back, and back.<br />
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Am I the picture of fitness? No. Have I improved? YES! Do I have to scale down a workout or do a modification of a modification of an exercise to make it work? Yes, and that's okay. Leaving your ego at the door helps prevent injury. After only 3 weeks, I have more strength and better endurance than I ever could have going to the Y in the same amount of time. The numbers on the scale did go up initially, but over 3 weeks I have lost 9 pounds with the addition of a Paleo-ish diet. My last WOD (Workout of the Day) I wasn't even last! I feel SO GOOD after accomplishing a workout, I wish I could bottle it.<br />
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Is this for everyone? No. I too, heard the stories of someone doing CrossFit and injuring something. However, I have injured my back picking up a pencil out from under a coffee table before. I had to weigh the pros and cons for myself. I could sit at home, sitting safely on the couch, knitting in front of the TV while watching my weight increase and my strength decrease. I could wait for an everyday task to injure me, or eventually succumb to diabetes, hypertension and heart disease that seems to run in my family. I have back issues and I feel the strong core building component is helping rather than hurting me.<br />
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Call it drinking the Kool-aid, Cruel-aid, whatever! I challenged myself to 90 day Paleo with at least 3 days per week CrossFit. I will let you know how it goes. I have already taken some before pictures...and have promptly thrown up in my mouth a little bit.<br />
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Edited to add: I do NOT advocate the "Women Should Not Run" blog article, only that it made me re-examine what I consider fitness. I still run and love doing it. My CrossFit box includes running as a daily part of our warmup. I just realized that there were other things I wanted to do in the world of fitness that have benefitted me greatly.</div>
Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-38512913379701050942012-12-29T17:34:00.000-06:002012-12-29T17:45:28.006-06:00Traveling With OCDIt's a little known fact (if you know me quite well) that I have a touch of "the OCD". Now, it's not pathologic or clinical (or I'm in denial) but just enough to make it either an endearing quality or annoying as hell.<br />
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Traveling has a way of amping up my OCD superpowers and I have been known to check to see if my boarding passes have been packed...say...twelve times without blinking an eye. I'm not the type who can throw a few things in a bag with a moment's notice. I need PLANNING, PEOPLE! </div>
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Back to the boarding passes, and resort confirmations...etc... I like to have them in ONE place in my bag but don't like that they get all crumpled (I told you, I am the queen of OCD on the planet OCD in the universe of OCD). I went to the local office supply store to see if I could find a small little half sheet sized folder to carry these in. Nope. Not a one. They were all too small or too large, or too papery, or too flimsy... and my porridge was too cold. Not to despair! Folder hack to the rescue! (insert Billy Mays-esque videos of people unable to hold paper folders and clumsily dropping and tearing them beyond recognition. Cue in angelic spotlight to behold...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzztRp9OreJBdfMU_Fp2-9ZadYF5Z7J2ZzZQQiH6VM9i-I_jGM1DyqyBtyNUQuEGGYJiNYjNjN6N4R8KGdSC0RPVn9Nrpa37-IwRP9ngTjZh9B2_rpOSdY56igSXkgwYKlCPFIghg6dNI/s1600/6D5ABA26-5CD1-4922-8238-585A83F19D9B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzztRp9OreJBdfMU_Fp2-9ZadYF5Z7J2ZzZQQiH6VM9i-I_jGM1DyqyBtyNUQuEGGYJiNYjNjN6N4R8KGdSC0RPVn9Nrpa37-IwRP9ngTjZh9B2_rpOSdY56igSXkgwYKlCPFIghg6dNI/s640/6D5ABA26-5CD1-4922-8238-585A83F19D9B.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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My modified envelope with the original size:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFufO_ySDLtU7fxHM4-Ql8LwbW697zEaSTpLpQhmRLahAm7m_RjiO5VsHV6_5fCFjfxAh028NRtQSQxKTP5G6KHulBJ1X8Wk2z8i8nwPyz4Km9wqxLMMgHT5Nr7gU120m4ONS69wxIgE/s640/blogger-image--406412355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFufO_ySDLtU7fxHM4-Ql8LwbW697zEaSTpLpQhmRLahAm7m_RjiO5VsHV6_5fCFjfxAh028NRtQSQxKTP5G6KHulBJ1X8Wk2z8i8nwPyz4Km9wqxLMMgHT5Nr7gU120m4ONS69wxIgE/s400/blogger-image--406412355.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was really a "duh" moment when I was staring at the large vinyl envelopes and deduced that you could easily cut one up and sew it up to the dimensions you want! (I know, did I just use the "S" word?) </div>
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I used a rotary cutter and rotary ruler to cut it apart, but you could just as easily draw lines with a straight edge and cut it out with a pair of scissors. I used the snap as my middle gauge. Since a standard sheet of paper is 8.5" wide, I allowed for 1/4" on either side for the seam and added another 1/4" on each side for ease of being able to shove in the paper goods = 9.5" wide (I parked the snap at 4 3/4" on the ruler to make sure I got it in the middle) and hacked up the sides. I wanted the overall depth of the envelope to be 6" so I lopped of the bottom. Here's what it looks like in pieces</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YILxYH4wCSnV1rTxkIhE6-9EKn2fA2qEAYVp_w2QMlHx8ocIq0I6ikXT-h_VZDIo1d-kBbuu_mM0x-GR3mWAeT71rb5UUIVSRr7kVm1nk6sVBERqpTdujCYAHdDCvw7GEhDvvEfFwUc/s1600/6AAC03CA-C7C3-4DC6-9A82-85D240D895E3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YILxYH4wCSnV1rTxkIhE6-9EKn2fA2qEAYVp_w2QMlHx8ocIq0I6ikXT-h_VZDIo1d-kBbuu_mM0x-GR3mWAeT71rb5UUIVSRr7kVm1nk6sVBERqpTdujCYAHdDCvw7GEhDvvEfFwUc/s640/6AAC03CA-C7C3-4DC6-9A82-85D240D895E3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Snap the pieced envelope closed (to make sure you sew it in the right place) and using your sewing machine sew (the SEW! It burns us!) a 1/4" seam up the sides and bottom. I also rounded the corners with scissors because I'm fancy. Voila! No crumple, vinyl document container for your travel bag!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh7hy1T8dp54V141U9CZXtc_QF2zV6IIfsGGRPamVcjNnAlslUe9453Eqe2m6dTFIvHs6BaTpuQ4JxTuRCBJpsVp_SbkXPoIRgguqlPNgHvunBcsktCkGBF15MDPsZqsjjJx397IUdUs/s640/blogger-image-1385569604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh7hy1T8dp54V141U9CZXtc_QF2zV6IIfsGGRPamVcjNnAlslUe9453Eqe2m6dTFIvHs6BaTpuQ4JxTuRCBJpsVp_SbkXPoIRgguqlPNgHvunBcsktCkGBF15MDPsZqsjjJx397IUdUs/s640/blogger-image-1385569604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first one I made was a bit smaller than I needed, so I'm using it to store all of my keepsake Christmas cards. See anyone you know?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcAZuV92rie8e67B56FzQK6yC539xkYsFMBFPl4ckVtlNRSKhwgP3iG4mWA6JRB5GYF2soqyvwpRPXiFFbZVy1lzbEER6lQs4p46Rsj7OZFQWWOXxLNpP0mRogWqotCkYpf35HX3fdB4/s640/blogger-image-1836923462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcAZuV92rie8e67B56FzQK6yC539xkYsFMBFPl4ckVtlNRSKhwgP3iG4mWA6JRB5GYF2soqyvwpRPXiFFbZVy1lzbEER6lQs4p46Rsj7OZFQWWOXxLNpP0mRogWqotCkYpf35HX3fdB4/s640/blogger-image-1836923462.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU_VkkoXrNUhZIS-aIIDWuP-9ayMZicDer_ORqg4bg4cWN20XzOdYcT7Mh-okFtHTbbOQ8iPr_pktwFa0vrp8fybNTmG08Me6A5Lr0awnHdkceiw99DiETeWmkkF488gILnAjiJiE824/s640/blogger-image--1189790220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU_VkkoXrNUhZIS-aIIDWuP-9ayMZicDer_ORqg4bg4cWN20XzOdYcT7Mh-okFtHTbbOQ8iPr_pktwFa0vrp8fybNTmG08Me6A5Lr0awnHdkceiw99DiETeWmkkF488gILnAjiJiE824/s400/blogger-image--1189790220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!<br />
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I also used gardening velcro to contain my charging cords in my suitcase!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjxssSfJxxsEnseuQfxeMAuZAsPKyruQLvRIwDpFz4FTzeP1gek03oIH4yyqgNUzvCn0HaSOT51PqWVxb8X-HbBhhPBkzmgWg5Om_GL5sQrudjGtPK_liy7ZzFtAkiCKFYjzgz98r1hI/s640/blogger-image-1980835303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjxssSfJxxsEnseuQfxeMAuZAsPKyruQLvRIwDpFz4FTzeP1gek03oIH4yyqgNUzvCn0HaSOT51PqWVxb8X-HbBhhPBkzmgWg5Om_GL5sQrudjGtPK_liy7ZzFtAkiCKFYjzgz98r1hI/s640/blogger-image-1980835303.jpg" /></a></div>
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This stuff is pretty awesome. I bought it at Home Depot to stake some rather large, top-heavy Dahlias I tried to grow in my garden. Come to find out, this stuff has multiple uses. One side of the strip has the soft plushy side and the other, the bumpy grabby side (stop me if I'm being too technical here) and it sticks to itself. I've used this stuff to wrangle TV/stereo wires and cords. This stuff is WAY cheaper than velcro cord ties you can buy in electronic stores. Excuse the crappy iphone pic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZulc2Px57o1-E1-eVw_-AU1mrMZ1DhcJsSEtQ-ecaeSzOiYTQ-xgJs5kXCBEgkk7Cu_w3Tb4HlNc6VeYdlYcjPKwzz0yxbSU2tOpeiYNVVG90g2FFoZDP4TFRoIqSFmb0n63frZtmCrk/s640/blogger-image--829234496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZulc2Px57o1-E1-eVw_-AU1mrMZ1DhcJsSEtQ-ecaeSzOiYTQ-xgJs5kXCBEgkk7Cu_w3Tb4HlNc6VeYdlYcjPKwzz0yxbSU2tOpeiYNVVG90g2FFoZDP4TFRoIqSFmb0n63frZtmCrk/s640/blogger-image--829234496.jpg" /></a></div>
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I must add, that I am typing this post because I got distracted while packing. Maybe I have a touch of "the ADD" too?</div>
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Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-40406100118129340022012-12-14T17:07:00.000-06:002012-12-14T17:21:56.420-06:00Cinnamon Clay Ornaments! No bake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know what you're thinking "who is this long lost soul who has magically appeared in my feed reader?" (read feeder?) To answer your questions:<br />
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1) I am still alive. I didn't have the ever popular fake internet death. You still may send money and flowers.<br />
2) Running? Meh. Not much. It's winter dontchaknow! I know, I know...I do live in Texas where we only get about 2 days of actual winter, but I hate that it's dark when I get home. My body literally wants to hibernate this time of year. I did participate in a crazy fun 5K recently. Pics to follow later<br />
3) Knitting? Yes please! I've been making warm woolens for my sister and her family in Virginia. Oh yeah...my sister, bro-in-law and the children that she bore just for me picked up and moved for his job. I know! ROOOD!<br />
4) Still single (wink wink) fighting off the throngs of men with sticks as my milkshake must be bringing them all to my yard. They're trampling the grass. GET OFF MY LAWN!<br />
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So, to get to the REAL reason I re-opened up my dusty ol' blog... <b>Cinnamon Clay Ornaments!</b> (and all the grammar and punctuation mistakes you can eat. Seriously, I just write the way I think. Don't choke on an ellipsis...)<br />
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They may look delicious, but they are completely inedible. They will make your house smell wonderfully cinnamony for days! My mother kept a few that I had made for 10 YEARS so they also last a long time<br />
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What you will need:<br />
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1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon + extra for dusting when you roll out the dough. I find cinnamon in 16 oz bulk containers which works perfectly!<br />
You may also add cloves or nutmeg if you just want it for smell-icity<br />
1 cup applesauce - I used sugar free to help discourage critters eating them<br />
1/3 cup white school glue<br />
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Mix the measured cinnamon, applesauce and glue in bowl until it creates a dough.<br />
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Dust your work surface with cinnamon, plop down some dough, dust with more cinnamon and roll out to 1/4" thickness or so.<br />
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Go nuts with cookie cutters! Remember to make a hole in the top of the ornament to hang them by. A drinking straw works great for this.<br />
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Place cut out shapes on a cookie cooling rack and allow to air dry for a few days. The thicker you made your ornament, the longer it will take to dry. You can also set them outside on a dry sunny day to help speed the process.<br />
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<b>TIP:</b> Because I didn't want my cooling racks tied up with ornaments for days, I went to Home Depot and purchased a gridded light diffuser found in the section where they sell fluorescent lighting. The shapes dry quite well and you aren't tying up your cooling racks!<br />
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When dry, this is where you can have fun with decorating. I used dimensional fabric "Slick" paint to "ice" the ornaments.<br />
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I also used glitter sprinkled on the "iced" cookies, but my favorite was cheap, tiny seed beads. While paint is still wet, hold ornament with an old spatula (that you don't care if it gets messed up with paint) hold over a bowl and sprinkle on the beads. Rinse, lather, repeat.<br />
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Allow to dry and use ribbon to make hanger loops.<br />
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Make the ornaments ahead of time and have a decorating party during the holidays!<br />
I made personalized ones to use as Christmas present labels!<br />
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<br />Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-1807224163929035612011-02-19T11:08:00.000-06:002011-02-19T11:08:11.137-06:00You Think You Know Me...This is just for funsies, to see how well you know me. These are things that I say, or have been known to say and pretty much outline the structure of my brain. Fill in the blank with what you think I would say. The person who gets the most right the firstest will win 50 awesome points. GO!<br />
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1) Texas Heritage ______________!<br />
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2) What an apartment locator would say ____________________<br />
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3) Cool _________<br />
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4) Listen to the message, ____ _____, _______ ________<br />
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5) Disco _________ is real<br />
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6) Your _________<br />
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7) ___________ beer<br />
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8) I like to picture Jesus as _______________________ (this can have multiple answers)<br />
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9) da wool, da wool, da wool is on fi-yah _____________________________________<br />
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10) I'm ________________ of here<br />
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11) If you use WebMD to research a health problem, it will say you either have _____________ or __________________<br />
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12) My most frequently used texting emoticon __________________<br />
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13) ___________________brings all the boys to my yard (easy. Can be anything)<br />
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14) When the world slips you a Jeffery, _____________________________________<br />
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15) Knitty__________ and Marsh________________Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-45836815219738321872011-02-06T12:20:00.000-06:002011-02-06T12:20:55.612-06:00It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...The sun in shining, the air is warming, the birds are singing. I step outside and breathe in the crisp air wanting to spin around like Julie Andrews on a hilltop when I turn, and see...<br />
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...the neighbor's graffiti-ed refrigerator sitting in their driveway and hear their 2.5 year old roof tarp flapping in the wind, while their yappy little yap-dogs yap away at nothing as usual. I sigh, realizing the peaceful sounds will be short lived when the teenage boys finally wake up and decide to lift weights in their garage to the sounds of thumpthump gangsta rap most of the day. I glance down to see their white, male tomcat cower under a dented Trans Am watching my every move. We have a hate-hate relationship. I stamp my foot in a show of force as he flinches and arches his back. Yes, I hate you too.<br />
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This cat has decided to conduct his nightly kitty war meetings on my back patio. Most nights at 0-dark-thirty, I awaken to the yowling and growling of cat war. Once, there were even bloody cat prints on my patio. I used to get up, and charge outside armed with only a broom and brave the unmistakable pungent tang of cat spray to chase off the invaders. This no longer works. There are three of them. A tripartite of cat-ass-trophe (sorry for the pun. Couldn't resist)<br />
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I was advised to use everything from vinegar to citrus rinds to cayenne pepper to deter these feline hooligans, but deduced that all I was doing was marinating my patio. I placed cheap wire fencing around the patio, but they jumped it anyway and the patio just looked like a fenced concrete prison yard. I placed faulty, blinking, staked solar yard lights to confuse them. I filled the open corners in the fence with bricks, limbs and other yard crap to make it harder for them to enter my yard. I TRIED to play nice, I TRIED to deter rather than punish. <br />
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I bought...a BB gun.<br />
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Now before you sic PETA on me and fill my comment page with hate comments, I bought the lowest powered plastic pistol that shoots plastic BB's. It will do no more than sting for a few moments but still get my point across. I made use of it the other night with a long haired cat and can say that 1) he has not been in my backyard again and 2) I have seen him in other yards since and he is no worse for wear. <br />
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I just want to be able to sit on my patio and sip coffee without smelling cat spray.<br />
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Go ahead punk...make my dayChristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-43987416223702319712011-01-23T18:41:00.000-06:002011-01-23T18:41:17.386-06:00Status...asthmaticusMiss me? Sorry about dropping a New Years flaming bag of blog post on your doorstep and running away into the night for 3 weeks! Yet here I am again to toilet paper your brain with my mindless drivel. For those of you who actually <b>READ</b> my blog, thank you...both of you.<br />
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I actually have been sticking to my New Year's resolutions. I am eating better, I have resumed running and am "working on" treating myself better.<br />
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Running: This is where the title of this post comes in. I've been jumping on the <strike>hamster wheel of endless torture</strike> treadmill and/or hitting the track about 5 times per week with maybe a hiccup or two here and there. I have a life, you know! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">don't laugh</span> So far, I've mainly been walking but have incorporated more running. I have to say my fitness progress isn't as bad as the first time when I started from nothing, but it's still hard. Gotta start somewhere, eh? I restarted the Couch to 5K program. I am planning on running a half marathon in 2012, so I have plenty of time to train.<br />
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Food: As an AA sponsor is to an alcoholic, my <a href="http://www.loseit.com/">Lose It!</a> app is to me. In true OCD fashion, I enter what I eat and it calculates the calories for me. I can choose how many calories I need to eat to lose "X" number of pounds. It has charts and graphs and everything. The best part is my daughter uses it too and the program lets us see each others achievements! Of course, I can choose what I want to show up on her side. I may not want her to see the marshmallow and coconut microwaved concoction I came up with last night to use up the rest of my calories. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">ahem</span> I was talking about eating better, wasn't I? Ah yes, I also go to the local farmer's market once per week for fresh veggies. I eat healthier things, it keeps me out of the grocery store a bit longer and I'm supporting local business. Win! I have lost some weight, which is making exercise MUCH easier. If you want to "friend" me on Lose It, look me up!Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-47598666240258224032011-01-05T05:46:00.001-06:002011-01-05T05:46:00.263-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5249044241_ed852a89cf_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5249044241_ed852a89cf_z.jpg" /></a></div>Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-57312722613971416372011-01-03T06:45:00.001-06:002011-01-03T06:45:00.324-06:00Refresh ButtonWouldn't it be nice to have an actual refresh button for life? Wait! Before you pull out that barely concealed box of Massengil from beneath the table, I meant RE-fresh, not unfresh! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Douchebags</span>... The attraction of the new year's resolution is the chance for a do-over, a second chance, an oops-I-crapped-my-life fix. So yes, I will be like most of the prattling, look-at-me blogs in the webverse and discuss all of the crap I plan on doing differently.<br />
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...and now for part two of the obligatory "look at the stupid stuff I did in 2010 and the different stupid stuff I'm going to do in 2011.<br />
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ahem.<br />
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1) Better food. I have a love/hate relationship with food. I'll admit that food does temporarily comfort me and sometimes when I find something particularly good, I eat too much of it and sit in my semi <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(food)</span> drunken stupor with a silly grin on my face drooling into a cup. Unfortunately, this leads to unwanted weight issues. Well meaning people will say "you should just eat less and move more" or "it's all in portion control" or suggest diet plans. That's like suggesting to an alcoholic "perhaps you weren't aware that there are other beverages to drink. Here...have some apple juice." I am a well educated health care professional and I probably know a lot more about nutrition than the average bear. I'm just going to say that I'm taking more steps to eat healthy. I will make strides to have a better diet with less processed, artificial food and actually plan in advance that I will actually want to eat some food when I get home and have something in mind AHEAD of time. Why is it a big surprise when I get home from work and oh-my-goodness-I-need-to-eat-some-junk-food-NAO-because-I-didn't-know-I-was-going-to-have-to-eat-and-planned-nothing panic.<br />
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2) Improved fitness. This isn't saying much when compared with my current state. As I huffed around the track this morning, I wondered where the girl who ran the half marathon last year went. I liked her a lot better. She was a machine! Maybe an old Ford Pinto with a bubble hatch, but still a machine! I'm going to win her back like a bad romantic comedy. (cue Eye of the Tiger music)<br />
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3) Treat myself better and get off my own case. Have you ever looked at old pictures of yourself and wish you could have told that person that she's really cute and not at all as fat as she thinks? That she really has it better than she complains about? That she's sweating the small stuff? ::looks in the mirror and pastes on a fake, insecure smile:: Okay, I'm going to have to work on this one.<br />
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In short, for 2011 I'm going to be more awesome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyPfGLS5G8IZQc68AwHr0yQ5G_UcQjZ1WFTQt3_2sTMyJyQtkPUw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyPfGLS5G8IZQc68AwHr0yQ5G_UcQjZ1WFTQt3_2sTMyJyQtkPUw" /></a></div>Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-75148432580786125342011-01-02T11:45:00.001-06:002011-01-02T11:45:53.453-06:002011 RebootAh...the new year. A time when we can Ctrl + Alt + Del and try and reboot ourselves for the future. As much as<a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2010/01/out-with-old.html"> I scoff about resolutions</a>, (they are just so resolute!) I like to look forward to what this year can bring. Everybody gets so entrenched and mentally flailing during the holidays that the new year is like a deep breath of fresh air.<br />
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First, we must dust off the <a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-year-we-make-contact.html">2010 goals</a> and see where we landed. Last year, I had fewer new year goals, thank goodness!<br />
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1. Be more social - Far from being a social butterfly, I did often resist my hermit-like nature. I feel like I grew closer to my friends. They really surprised me on Christmas Eve - a dark and stormy night. I hear a furious pounding on the door. Alarmed, I was thankful that my son-in-law the Marine was in my home at the time. I opened the door. At my feet were two boxes of Christmas goodies but no person/live body to go with them only the retreating stares of headlights in the rain. I called after the car "Who are you?". The car stopped, paused for a moment, then a hand ascended from the partially open door in full "bird" formation before hurrying off into the night. A big grin grew on my face. I never would have guessed that getting the bird and being called a "hoar" would be such terms of endearment...but...there you are. My friends are amazing.<br />
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2. Finish half marathon and continue running. Well, <a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2010/01/half-marathon.html">I DID finish the half marathon</a> and got back out in starts and spurts occaisionally. I could make lots of excuses, but my<a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2011/01/inner-drill-sergeant.html"> inner drill sergeant</a> won't let me.<br />
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3. Get through my daughter's wedding -<a href="http://christijnp.blogspot.com/2010/10/gotta-start-somewhere.html"> done. over. finito. hasta la vista baby!</a><br />
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4. Simplify and de-stuffify my house/life - Over the course of the year, I did move out my daughter and took 3 TRUCKLOADS full of stuff to the Goodwill. The garage sale just wasn't happening. Too much trouble for too little money and now others can benefit from my castoffs. I can now park in my own garage!!!!<br />
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Next post will be about my goals for the new year. I'm still thinking about them. Right now, I just want to be more awesome.Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-50148770101485059582011-01-01T16:45:00.001-06:002011-01-02T11:48:53.236-06:00Inner Drill Sergeant<b>OKAY MAGGOT! YOU CAN GET OFF YER LAZY ASS, QUIT FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF AND GET OUT THERE AND MAKE YOURSELF HAPPEN!</b><br />
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I just feel so blah, so bloated and out of shape. I just want to stay inside and watch TV.<br />
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<b>OH YES, BECAUSE THAT ALWAYS MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER RIGHT?</b><br />
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Well, no... but I am hungry. Food always makes me feel better. Food is comfort.<br />
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<b>WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME EXACTLY HOW COMFORTABLE YOU FEEL IN YOUR OWN SKIN RIGHT NOW. DO THESE CLOTHES FEEL COMFORTABLE? DO YOU GET OUT OF BREATH WALKING AROUND THE BLOCK? REMIND ME AGAIN HOW GOOD FOOD MAKES YOU FEEL? HOW'S THAT NEW "EXPANSION PACK" THAT BEN AND JERRY INSTALLED FOR YOU?</b><br />
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Uh, no...but you don't understand...I've had a very stressful year. My daughter got married and moved away, my dog died, I'm still adjusting to a new job...<br />
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<b>WAH! SHIT HAPPENS! THAT'S NO CALL FOR RETREATING TO YOUR CELLULITE COFFIN. PEOPLE GO THROUGH WORSE EVERY DAY. GET OVER IT!</b><br />
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I guess you're right. Are you sure you want to take on the plight of the lost Fantasia hippo? heh heh? Isn't Seaworld missing a manatee? Man the harpoon...<br />
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<b>CRITICIZE YOUR LAZINESS, CRITICIZE YOUR BAD MOOD, HECK EVEN CRITICIZE YOUR MOTIVATION. THOSE ARE IN THE HERE AND NOW AND CAN BE CHANGED. WE WILL NOT JOKE OR CRITICIZE ABOUT FAT, BECAUSE THOSE ARE PAST CHOICES YOU MADE. WE WILL LEARN FROM THEM - YES! BUT LOOKING BACK WILL NOT TAKE US FORWARD. UNDERSTOOD?</b><br />
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Yes. Where do I start?<br />
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<b>NOW. PUT DOWN THE CHOCOLATE AND STEP OUT THE DOOR.</b><br />
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but it's cold - <b>DRESS WARMLY</b><br />
I've been coughing - <b>USE AN INHALER. YOU'LL LIVE</b><br />
I look ridiculous - <b>YOU WERE INVISIBLE BEFORE</b><br />
my jogging bra doesn't fit - <b>I DOUBT YOU WILL JOG, JUST PUT ON THE OTHER ONE</b><br />
I'll be the cliche January 1 fitness restart - <b>BETTER THAN NOT RESTARTING AT ALL</b><br />
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Okay...here goes nothinChristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-39776586739292983002010-12-17T12:40:00.000-06:002010-12-17T12:40:29.195-06:00SickBy dose is stobbed up ad I hab a fever. One of the drawbacks to being a healthcare provider - being exposed to all of the nasty germies. Sure, I wash my hands after each patient, I hold my breath when looking in a throat and ears, germicide spray the rooms and often clean my stethoscope after a sick patient but I still get sick. The good thing is that I usually know what it is and what to do about it, the bad thing is that I learned it from experience. And hey, I will NEVER get this particular virus again until the virus mutates enough to be recognized as a new virus! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Why does that not make me feel better?</span><br />
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I'd like to think I could get a lot of knitting done when I'm sick, but frankly my hands and fingers (among every other joint in my body) is an aching, inflammed mess. Pointing and clicking is more my speed right now. I'm tempted to go to my parents new house and soak, neck deep, in their gigantic whirlpool hot tub. Problems with that plan: I wouldn't want to get out and would be a swollen pruny mess. Sea World would be called in anonymously on the tip that a giant flabby blonde manatee was beached in a hot tub. If I ended up spilling my Russian energy drink into the controls, it would take me back to the 1980's. (Name that movie)Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-7421798062985032772010-11-10T07:06:00.000-06:002010-11-10T07:06:00.633-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/4110570139_df732bb960_z.jpg?zz=1" /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Well, maybe not completely wordless. Off this weekend for the fiber festival! Pic above is two of my besties at last years trek!</div>Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-60485694303619927212010-11-06T05:59:00.001-06:002010-11-06T06:00:26.018-06:00NaNoWriMo a No GoDue to circumstances out of my control, I haven't been able to participate in NaNoWriMo. Throw a healthy dose of life circumstances, Christmas knitting and just plain ol' nerves to the mix and there you have my excuse. Now I can quit obsessing over how much I'm NOT writing. Whew!<br />
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Why am I up at this hour on a Saturday? My nefarious partners in crime have coerced me into "wogging" at a local park. We call it wogging because we walk mostly and occaisionally jog. This way we can get it out of the way and have it not eat up a Saturday. What I need to mention is that it is now <b>40</b> degrees outside!<br />
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I also have a bridal shower to co-hostess today. I'll have to admit that forced social events always have me a bit anxious. Although most find these events fun, I always dread them especially when I'm in charge of games. Oh, I always end up having fun when I'm there, but I still dread it.<br />
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Well, gotta go hit the twack for a wog...Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-30639199163510658962010-11-03T07:01:00.000-06:002010-11-03T07:01:00.545-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4421758580_4b05362e83_z.jpg?zz=1" width="428" /></div>Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-88917331868758830372010-10-30T21:37:00.000-06:002010-10-30T21:37:32.189-06:00Oh no...NaNoWriMo!Okay, maybe I was a bit overzealous announcing I was going to participate in NaNoWriMo a mere 2 weeks before it starts. I can barely post to this blog once or twice per week with my uninteresting life much less write pages and pages of drivel. I have no plot, no characters, no outline...a <b>big NADA</b>! Instead of adhering to the rules, I may make my own word limits and just get myself to write SOMETHING.<br />
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I know that some people totally wing it and I'm sure their brains are rife with creative ideas and characters ready to spring to life. Some people already have pages and pages of outlines, character drafts, history research and plot twists. If the idea is to write about what we know, I'm in trouble.<br />
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Running has been a bust lately. My knee has been acting up and I don't want to chance it so I busy myself around the house and go walking.<br />
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Knitting is always ongoing. I showed you pictures of the wedding, but not the lace projects that consumed 8 months of my knitting life.<br />
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Eternity Shawl<br />
Knit in Baruffa Cashwool and used about 730 yards or half a skein<br />
Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4911200021_bee2c2a7db_z.jpg" /><br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4911802296_8deb306227_z.jpg" /><br />
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<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5073478592_e63df531cc_z.jpg" /><br />
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A Clump of Plinths (was knitting on this watching a Monty Python Documentary. This was one of the names they were batting around before "Monty Python" was chosen. I kinda liked it)<br />
Knit in Kidsilk Haze in the Hurricane colorway with small beads in the outer border<br />
Pattern: Melon Pattern for a Shawl by Jane Sowerby<br />
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<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4911191065_db492566a5_z.jpg" /><br />
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and both<br />
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I am so done with lace for awhile and am glad to get some heavier yarn to use! I'll post other projects later. I have start-itis so bad right now I don't know what is going to make it and what will hit the frog pond.Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-73499602858666688332010-10-28T19:57:00.001-06:002010-10-28T19:58:30.808-06:00Home?After 35 years of living in the same house, my parents are moving. Thankfully, they are staying in the same town, just a different house with a bigger kitchen, bathrooms and storage. I can't quite blame them. Their home was built at a time when the number of bedrooms far outweighed being able to stretch out your arms in your own bathroom. Having a place for us three kids to sleep was a little more important I guess. My dad found the confines of suburbia constraining. I guess you could say he would be happy to be put out to pasture where there is green space and not a cul-de-sac. After all, they are retired and deserve to have a home that doesn't need to be populated with kids.<br />
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I can't help but feel a surprising emotion of grief, which really caught me. This was the house I lived in from the age of 5 to 18 and then again from age 20 to 23. It's a part of my history that I took for granted. My parents did offer to let me buy the house. There was almost no hesitation as a quick "NO" escaped my mouth. THAT would be weird.<br />
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I walked home from primary school to this house. I had lots of sleepovers, birthday parties, and holidays here. I hunted Easter eggs in the backyard, climbed the tree in the front yard to throw china berries at the neighborhood kids, hid in the laundry hamper, carved my initials in my windowsill, buried a few family pets in the back yard, jumped to thwack the attic pulldown cord in the hall, learned to roller skate in the garage, learned to ride a bicycle in the driveway, had hippity-hop derby races in the front yard, washed my first car in the driveway and had my first kiss on the front porch. My daughter took her first steps in the same living room where I watched the Wizard of Oz for the first (and twentieth) time.<br />
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My parents are excited about the move, but I can tell they are having similar separation issues. My dad said "selling this house is like letting go of one of my kids". I replied "which one and which time?" We both laughed.Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-49362892580492378412010-10-27T06:59:00.001-06:002010-10-27T06:59:00.741-06:00Wordless Wednesday<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/4564112724_e6e7055ecf_z.jpg" />Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-78582710750370132172010-10-20T06:53:00.001-06:002010-10-20T06:53:00.656-06:00Wordless Wednesday<img height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4909559920_34a337c622_b.jpg" width="640" />Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-13581599754301051702010-10-18T18:21:00.001-06:002010-10-18T20:25:04.950-06:00What's a girl to do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
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Wow, my last post sounded a bit like I was a desperate, lonely, needy little thing. Yeah, I get a little mopey from time to time, but by and large I have a list of things that I want to do more of or get started on which is pretty exciting. Here's my action plan.<br />
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<b>Blog</b> - duh<br />
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<b>Run</b> - I really fell off the wagon HARD in this regard but have recently been venturing outside more often now that the weather is nice. No races planned, no pressure, just gettin' mah bootay out there.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><b>Read</b> - I bought a <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp">Nook</a> which I love quite intensely right now and carry it with me everywhere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alatechsource.org/files/images/nook_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.alatechsource.org/files/images/nook_front.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<b>Write more betterly-er</b> - I may attempt to pull a <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">Nanowrimo</a> out of my butt this year, rather than just read about those who are doing it. It may be all crap and be about purple aliens who take over abandoned Walmarts and Kmarts as headquarters to rule the world, but I will do it. I also will not make you read it.<br />
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<b>Draw</b> - Yet another languishing hobby. I used to draw a lot more than I do now. Although I'm quite average and my attempts quite sophomoric, I enjoy it.<br />
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<b>Home improvement</b> - I want to rip out the carpet and have laminate wood flooring installed. I want to update most of my cheapo contractor light fixtures, I want new furniture now that I don't have to worry about pet hair, kid messes...etc. Did I forget to tell you that I had to put my dog down about 2 weeks after the wedding? She was 14 years old and was so arthritic and could not hold her bowel/bladder. It was so hard, but I now know I did the right thing for her. end tangent<br />
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I will also have to redo my daughter's room. I will need a gallon of spackle to start. The child tacked up EVERYTHING on the wall. Oh, and as a public service announcement: when you use Sticky-Tac on textured drywall and leave it there for 5 years, it will pull off half the wall with it when you remove it.<br />
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<b>Knit</b> - still knitting. It's my go-to leisure/stress relief and I LOVE my hand knit items and look forward to wearing them every year.<br />
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I'm sure there's other stuff: Gardening, eating better, winning that Nobel Peace Prize...but that's enough for now.Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-38630546750984515302010-10-17T21:47:00.000-06:002010-10-17T21:47:42.645-06:00Learning to Fly SOLOI've been a single parent most of my adult life. I learned to be self sufficient, independent and ((gasp)) responsible. I brought home the bacon, fried it up in a pan and afterwards, when my daughter thought jumping on the bed was fun, cleaned the bacon vomit off the floor and cleaned bacon vomit out of her hair. My mother still sends me cards on Father's Day which I think is cute and sometimes depressing. Single parent I could handle. SOLO is hard.<br />
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After the emotional equivalent of clutching her bridal train down the aisle and into the get-away vehicle to go live with a BOY, I was left with the scary void that was my new companion. Me.<br />
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I felt like a child on their way to Kindergarten for the first time. Would I like me? Would I be nice to me? Would I hog all the ice cream? Absolutely. Now, before you guys call the men in white coats with the bouncy rubber wagon, just know that this is the first time I have TRULY been on my own. At every point in my life, someone has always been there with me. I'm not living with a parent, child, significant other or a pet of any kind. I was always the type of kid who played well by myself and didn't need a lot of interaction. Just knowing someone was in the other room was enough for me. I felt secure. This is weird. On second thought, have the white wagon guys on speed dial.<br />
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For some of you, this would sound like a dream! Wake up when you want, eat what you want, know that the milk would still be there at the end of the day (if that is how you left it). I too, was one of these dreamers when my child was young (and my then husband acted like a child).<br />
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The reality is that there's nobody to share things with. Sure, I can take a picture of my vulgar eggplant's produce and send it to people and get a "LOL" or a racy quip, I can watch a Netflix movie at the same time as my daughter and we can talk on the phone to each other while we're watching it, but it's not the same. Thank jeebus for technology.<br />
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Maybe God is challenging me to like myself first before bringing someone else into it.<br />
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Poop.<br />
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For some reason, I don't think giving myself a hug and saying a quick "I'm sorry self" will meet that criteria. This may take awhile.<br />
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Hey, wanna see some vulgar produce?<br />
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<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5092310528_ec44b1648d_z.jpg" />Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-22132617789482717522010-10-10T21:57:00.000-06:002010-10-10T21:57:07.970-06:00Dear blogspot...Thank you for eating the photos that took me 2 hours to choose and place in my last blog post. I will fix it later (which will take another 2 hours) but I'm tired and want to go to bed.<br />
Check back later for a photo updateChristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-71889659710718559502010-10-10T21:51:00.002-06:002010-10-11T19:17:53.330-06:00Gotta Start Somewhere...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span>Sorry guys. I have been ignoring this blog, haven't I? Life got heavy there for awhile, but I'm here to restart this thing! My mantra lately has been "gotta start somewhere". Blogging, eating right, exercising...etc have taken a back burner to life events lately. Thanks to my blogger friends for encouraging me to get on the ball!<br />
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I know, I know... you want to see wedding pictures. Perhaps that's the easiest way to restart! <a href="http://www.magekphoto.com/MagekPhoto.htm">Magek Photography</a> were STUPENDOUS and took most of the wedding pictures you see below.<br />
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We went from this:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To this:</div><a href="webkit-fake-url://5D616050-23EA-4CEF-926C-F68643FDD2EB/image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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The day was surreal. The venue, <a href="http://www.butlerscourtyard.com/">Butler's Courtyard</a>, allowed us to have the site all day including a quaint little cottage for the bride and attendants to get ready. The cottage was decorated with antiques and antique wedding items. Danicka and I were the only ones there for an hour or two and we had fun exploring and setting up. You'd think that 8 hours would allow plenty of lounging time before the wedding, but not with updos, nails, makeup, checking flowers, cake, setup...etc. The time flew by.<br />
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Finally, the time had come. But wait! I didn't have enough pre-wedding, pre-go-live-with-a-boy fun! Even though the wedding was at 7pm, it still didn't seem like enough time. I did truly live in the moment and enjoyed every minute, but I just wish there were MORE! Someone else had other thoughts.<br />
<img height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5072855791_846d61d26e_b.jpg" width="640" /><br />
Before the wedding, they even had a photo op holding hands around a corner. They couldn't see each other before the wedding and there were plenty of people there to make sure the lovebirds were in check.<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5072887697_9041016567_b.jpg" /><br />
The wedding planner arrived and we were summoned to the hall. This was it. That tiny baby I once kept in a cradle the size of a dresser drawer was walking to the hall in a white, poufy, marshmallow gown. Everything was going too fast. We were walking too fast, the music seemed like it was playing too fast, and people were taking their places too fast. Although I had a smile on my face, somebody juiced up the tilt-a-whirl that suddenly took residence in my gut.<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5073487496_b1d49822e4_b.jpg" /><br />
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Here I was, walking my only child down the aisle. I wanted to do this so badly. She was mine to give away, but I now know why fathers usually perform this task. Despite jelly-legs, tilt-a-whirl gut and a racing brain, I wouldn't change it for the world. I remember standing behind the curtain waiting for our cue: she was looking like a horse wanting to race to the barn and I was wanting to reign her in. I wish I could remember exactly what I told her, standing there at the precipice to the rest of her life. I know I told her that I loved her and that she was beautiful. I know I told her to take a deep breath. I also know that I told her my car was waiting just outside in case she changed her mind.<br />
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Suddenly the curtain opened and Pachebel's Canon in D began playing. I walked her to the front of the crowd to a handsome man in Marine dress blues (where was the "boy"?).<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5073494668_a302aa1eeb_b.jpg" /><br />
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When the pastor asked "who gives this woman?" I was supposed to say "I do" give her a kiss, give the groom a kiss and step back to be seated. Simple instructions, right? They may as well have been given in Swahili. I said the "I do" and just stood there frozen. The pastor patiently waited and gave a little tight lipped grin to me to break me out of my stupor. Realizing my error, I quickly complied and sat down. My part was done and the rest of the ceremony wafted along from there.<br />
<img height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5072897137_e32218d418_b.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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The reception was wonderful. The wonderful folks at Butler's Courtyard took care of everything. I didn't have to worry about the punch bowl status, microphones that didn't work, flowers, food or anything else. Butler's was truly worth the money for everything they do. For all I knew everything went without a hitch they made it seem so effortless and magical. Cake, dancing, bouquet and garter throwing and the toast - all a part of a balanced wedding. I enjoyed it all.<br />
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It was time to let the newlyweds run away into the night. I jokingly tried to stow away in the back seat of the getaway car, we blew bubbles and the newlyweds were whisked away in what can only be described as a grand Lawrence Welk sendoff (and a one, and a two..)<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5072885367_680b479130_z.jpg" /><br />
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Turning the corner, I sighed a big sigh and watched until I could no longer see their taillights.<br />
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The crowd seemed to disperse almost immediately and I was left with the staff people. The magic was gone. My daughter was the keeper of that magic and I was turning back into a pumpkin. My feet were also waking up from the magical spell and screamed in protest. We loaded up the car, I checked for forgotten items and made the lonely trek back home. It was in the car ride home that I realized I didn't get any wedding cake. My eyes filled with the first big tears of the day and I pulled into a parking lot and sobbed - big racking sobs and likely a very ugly cry. It wasn't the cake. It was the finality.<br />
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I took a deep breath, wiped my face and continued home. While unpacking the car I found the leftover cake and had a piece while sitting on the floor in my sweaty blue dress.<br />
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What happened next was the epitome of being alone. I.couldn't.get.out.of.my.dress. My zipper was out of reach. Someone had zipped me in and I now remember the last part of the zipper was particularly difficult. I struggled like Houdini trying to get out of a straight jacket, sat and contemplated the scissors on the counter. It was midnight and I couldn't knock on someone's door to get them to unzip my dress, or if I did would be very creepy. I even contemplated going to McDonalds and paying an employee five bucks to unzip my dress. I cried again and said a few choice words to punctuate the situation. I finally got a pair of vice-grips, clamped them on and with a little struggle was able to free myself. I laughed. I fell exhausted into bed. Vice grips are useful things.Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-12446105389298768382010-05-23T16:45:00.001-06:002010-05-23T21:13:04.728-06:00Are We There Yet?No, not quite. The wedding shawl of DOOM is growing at a snail's pace.<br />
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At this rate, it will be a wedding kerchief! Since my daughter is not really wanting a veil, I'm trying to convince her she can wear this shawlette on her head Aunt Jemima style. She's not going for it. She also didn't like the idea of wedding cupcakes or a wedding pinata either. She never likes my ideas.<br />
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Running has been sporadic. As I was getting my gardening mojo going, I neglected running. Now that half the garden is going well and the other half is being eaten, destroyed or dying away I can start running again.<br />
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The local college track has been repaved and is verra nice now. I got out there last night and felt like a human sausage: fatty, bloated and stretching my casings. It didn't help that I had friends over for beer and pizza the night before. Ah well...gotta restart somewhere, eh?<br />
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Gardening is funny.<br />
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The good:<br />
Tomatoes - Better Boy and Roma - lots o green globes on the vines. It seems they're taking forever to ripen. I so love home gardened tomatoes. If you've only eaten store bought tomatoes, I truly feel for you.<br />
Mint - I have to cut it back as it's crowding other plants!<br />
Cucumber - overflowing the bed and creeping out into the yard.<br />
Eggplant - is trying. Putting on blooms<br />
Meyer Lemon - Had to relocate after some nasty grackle birds got after it and scratched up half the maturing lemons.<br />
Lavender - lookin' good but doubt I will get much bounty for dried herbs<br />
Chard - Looks like it's going to pull through after some bug eating concerns early on<br />
Basil - not going as gangbusters as I had thought it would<br />
Rosemary and Thyme still healthy but not much growth in pots<br />
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The bad:<br />
Strawberries - grackle birds again. They take 1-2 bites out of every strawberry rendering them unedible.<br />
Lettuce - I let it go too far and now it's getting leggy and weird. Bugs trying to eat it too.<br />
Mexican Lime - It's trying. I think there are 2 or 3 little tiny limes right now<br />
Bell Pepper - looks scraggly and no veg<br />
Dill - Half is good and the other half is being eaten by some small caterpillars which I think are some kind of butterfly. As much as I use dill, I will let them chow down on what they want<br />
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The ugly:<br />
Onions - dead<br />
Kale - So dead<br />
Bok Choy - not a chance dead - eaten by something very hungryChristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629207336990066958.post-61205248378237092562010-04-15T10:36:00.001-06:002010-04-15T10:37:30.393-06:00If idle hands are the devil's playground...If idle hands are the devil's playground, he's got nothing to play with here! Believe it or not, my plants are still alive and some are thriving! I never thought I would love making plants grow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4503468561_9976f808e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4503468561_9976f808e4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4503471913_2dfd79fe7d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4503471913_2dfd79fe7d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>These pictures were taken a week ago and the plants are even bigger! The cilantro has tried to bolt and my Better Boy tomatoes have really started to take off! I even have 4 small strawberries forming!<br />
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Thanks to the wonderful plants at Maas Nursery, even my Meyer Lemon tree is making baby lemons! Ignore the scaly alien hand in the background.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4503473559_1d2cb14a60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4503473559_1d2cb14a60.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
The gladiolus bulbs I planted in the side flower bed have just peeked above the dirt. I'll take pics as soon as they make something purty.<br />
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I have this old chiminea that I thought I would enjoy firing up and sitting beside on my patio, playing in the fire. I never got used to the smoke smell, so there it sat for years doing nothing. (I did enjoy setting things on fire in it though. Pyro much?) I decided it would make a better planter. Since it sits in the shade, I decided to plant impatiens and creeping jenny in it. I was so proud...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4503474933_07f624d4bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4503474933_07f624d4bb.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then my daughter said "It looks like it's throwing up". Hmmm...she has a point. It's done. It stays. We will see what happens.<br />
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Running has resumed, just not as often as I would like. I had to back out of a recent half marathon. You see, the threat of certain death since I was so undertrained was a big de-motivator. My illness plus my Dad's hospitalizations really took a toll on my running. I'm just getting where I can run without using an inhaler. (Sorry, I get a mental giggle thinking about my chubby-chick self trying to run and snorting an inhaler with my flabby rolls flopping to and fro. Just imagine it in slow motion and it's funnier...really) Life just gets in the way sometimes. Note to self...don't sign up for these races so early.<br />
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Knitting - still knitting on woman-child's wedding shawl. I'm about 13 repeats in and it's still not big enough. The good thing about knitting lace is you get a lot more bang for your buck. More yards for less money for longer knitting time. The bad thing is, you're knitting FOR-EVER! Will get pics on here later at least to remind myself that it is growing, although very slow...Christihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215507515794460927noreply@blogger.com1