Days Gone Bye

Days have been flying by here lately. 

Work has been super crazy - with a trip to Cincinnati (pictures to come), having to come in at 4am when a certain customer comes in to watch their product run (which has caused me to work 21 hours....yes, 21 hours....in one day) and on and on and on.

I'm not going to make any excuses as to what is going on with my weight loss and with my workouts.  It's all on me.  I have full responsibility for my actions.

Last night was the first night back to the gym in forever.  And I was so happy I went.  I did almost pass out in weight lifting class, though.  My blood pressure got too high. 

And I have gained some back.  I can tell because my hernia is acting up again.  I could tell a big difference when I was losing steadily before, because I couldn't feel my hernia as much.  It didn't pop up so often.  Gotta get back down to that.

More later.

A new week and some stitching

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeewh.

It's been a long couple of weeks.  I have training coming up later this week that I have to go to Charlotte for for 2 days.  I don't know if I am looknig forward to it, or dreading it.

You see, my entire job depends on this training.  I have gotten one certification already.  This one, will be directly linked to my new title.  Which, if I pass, I will share more info on later. 

I really don't want to jinx it.

Today and tomorrow are kinda sad days.

My favorite Zumba/Hip Hop instructor is leaving.  We've been doing classes with her since November of last year.  So, just about 10 months.  That's a long time to do workout classes with someone.  We have had subs - and none of them have been as good as Tassie - or as energetic or as high-impact.  *sigh*. 

Maybe change is good.  My weight has been at a standstill for about 3 weeks now.  The 6lbs I lost a few weeks ago was water weight.  And, I know a lof of that is my own fault.

Honestly, I really haven't cared lately.  Seriously.  Zippo caring here.

Now, on the other hand.....there was another reason I started this blog.  That was to keep track of my sewing/knitting.

Here are a few shots of my current projects:

The first is a baby blanket I am doing for a dear friend of mine here at work that has a baby due in January.   I will also be making her a bonnet and a pair of mary-jane booties.

This one is a scarf that I am doing for my co-worker/workout buddy who I have been sweating with for the past 27 weeks.  This will be her birthday present.  Her birthday is December 1st.

I do have another one that I am going to be starting on this week. 

At the end of October, I will be going to the SAFF - Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair in Asheville, NC with my daughter.

Just a quick update

I'm still here, I'm still alive and this week I am going to ROCK IT at the gym.

Nellie is back from vacation.  We are going back to the gym tonight.  I kinda blew it off last week.  See, I'm stuck in my same cycle again.

Ugh.

So...my "Best Friend" unfriended me.... :p

Soooo....

How would you take this?

For 2 years.......TWO YEARS......my "best friend" has begged me to get her a job where I work.  I work for a family-owned flavor company.  We make food flavoring ingredients, and if you eat, you have eaten what we make....simple as that.

anyway......

2 weeks ago, she started working here.  She's a temporary.  We don't direct hire, unless it's a salaried position.  You have to work 400 hours to be considered for permanent employment.

Without going into great detail, let's just say at her last place of employment, she was forced to resign because of Facebook.  She did something stupid.  End of story.

She had an ESC hearing today, because her former place of employment is contesting her unemployment benefits. 

So she texts me this morning and texts me the following:

"Just so you know, I unfriended ***** from facebook and I'm going to unfriend you too from my page.  I'll still be on the alumni page (our kids high-school band alumni page).  This is only because of what happened to me with ***.  Mixing business with social networks is not a good idea anymore.  This has been heavy on my heart since I started working at ******.  Especially since I've got this hearing this mroning.  It's not because I don't love you, I do.  I like ***** as well, but I think it would be better this way.  I don't ever want this situation to happen to me again.  I know you'll understand.  Love you!"

Ok, nope, I don't understand.

Does she think so little of the "friendship" we have shared for the past 4 YEARS that she thinks I would do something to cause her to lose her job??  This is why I HATE helping people like this.  The last time I got a "friend" a job, she had an affair with the maintenance dude.  Not this same friend, but still.  It's a reflection on ME when someone I recommend does crap like that.

With my position here (management) I can't afford crap like that.

This isn't a younger, flighty person either.  Most of my GOOD friends are 10-12 years older than me.  I have always been the youngest parent when it came to my kid's stuff, because I had my oldest when I was 19 and most of the parents I have met we in their late 20's mid-30's when they had their kids.

**sigh**

I hate drama.

Am I worried about her reading this?  No.  She doesn't even know this blog exists.  She doesn't like to read.  I've told her about it.  I've told her about some amazing things written on the internet, like The Dionaea House.  This was written by an old high school friend of mine, who is now a screen writer/director in Los Angeles.  (Hi, Eric :))

anyhow.....I'm done for the day.  Step class tonight!!!

I leave you with the amazing DRAMA LLAMA!!!

Weigh In and some Monday Lyrics

So...... 6 pounds down this week!  That was expected.  I knew when I started back I would lose a lot of water weight, as normal, right off the bat. 

Let's see what next week brings.

This weekend was super busy.   Friday, I worked from 6am to 11:15pm.  Yeah.  That way, I didn't have to come in this weekend.  Plus, I went and picked up "The Hunger Games".  I've watched it 3 times this weekend.  Yes, I am a dork.

Saturday was a surprise party here at work for a friend.

Sunday, they came and finished installing all our stuff for our new tv.  We went from a 56 inch projection tv, to one you mount on the wall.  I have sssoooooooooooooooooooo much more space in the living room, it's stupid!!  We need new furniture :(.  It doesn't look right anymore.

I am doing this run in October in honor of my dear friend Kevin's oldest son, Cody.

The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism

I have some others that I am doing, but not set in stone yet.  I have to get through a training course for work before I can plan any others.  The only other one I am DEFINITELY doing is the Outer Banks 1/2 Marathon in November.

Zumba tonight!  There is also a new class they started I may try - It's called Rush Active.  It's cardio, balance, core, and strength all in one. 

Lastly....I cannot say how much I LOVE this new Carrie Underwood song. 

I'm from Oklahoma.  My brother knew Carrie in school.  This song in no way applies to me, but I LOVE it.  The score is amazing and the lyrics are heart wrenching, because I do know some people this can apply to.

"Blown Away"
by Carrie Underwood

Dry lightning cracks across the skies
Those storm clouds gather in her eyes
Her daddy was a mean old mister
Mama was an angel in the ground
The weather man called for a twister
She prayed blow it down

There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma
To wash the sins out of that house
There’s not enough wind in Oklahoma
To rip the nails out of the past

[Chorus:]
Shatter every window 'til it’s all blown away,
Every brick, every board, every slamming door blown away
'til there’s nothing left standing,
Nothing left of yesterday
Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away,
Blown away

She heard those sirens screaming out
Her daddy laid there passed out on the couch
She locked herself in the cellar
Listened to the screaming of the wind
Some people called it taking shelter
She called it sweet revenge

[Chorus:]
Shatter every window 'til it’s all blown away,
Every brick, every board, every slamming door blown away
'til there’s nothing left standing,
Nothing left of yesterday
Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away,
Blown away

There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma
To wash the sins out of that house
There’s not enough wind in Oklahoma
To rip the nails out of the past

Shatter every window 'til it’s all blown away (blown away)
Every brick, every board, every slamming door blown away (blown away)
'til there’s nothing left standing,
Nothing left of yesterday (blown away)
Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away,

Blown away, blown away, blown away, blown away, blown away

Wordless Wednesday - Oh how I miss being a band parent!

Providence Grove High School at the 2010 Wildcat Classic - they took first in all divisions, including high point band of the day.  My daughter was one of the guard captains.  Show was titled Length, Width and Height

Providence Grove High School at the 2009 Ragsdale Band Festival on 10/31/2009.  Show was titled The Four Elements

Random football and competition pictures:

Enjoy!!

Fall - I'm ready for it

This summer hasn't been too terribly bad.

But I am ready for fall.  It's not the temperature.  It's the smell.  And the colors. 

Living in North Carolnia, we have some of the prettiest fall foliage around.  We go driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway and just look at the leaves and take pictures.  Even as far east as we are, we get some very pretty pictures here too.  I want the kids to go get their pictures taken on the UNCG campus this fall.  In spring, it's pretty too.....but nothing beats fall.

I went to Zumba last night...it was a lot of fun.  Tassie, the instructor told us she is going for her re-certification so we will have some new songs to do soon. 

Tonight is Hip Hop, then Power.  Ugh.  It'll also be eat out night, since I hate cooking that late.  I'll be getting a salad from Isabellas.

Short and sweet today :)

And, in reference to the post I made yesterday...here are the 2 parts for the Jimmy Fallon - Troll Doll Jingles skit

For some reason, blogger is being dumb about posting the link as a video....the second part is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=XKxEjlJwDSs&NR=1

Back on Track

Well, after about a month or so off-track and half-assing everything, I think that I am back into the groove of things.

I just totally lost track.  I gained back 8lbs, which will come off this next week since I am back on drinking my water and eating.  I am also back into going to the gym.  Nellie has been pushing me this past week, and even though I have been half-assing the eating and water, I am really working on the gym.  I want to be at at least 199 by Thanksgiving when I go home to visit Mom.  I saw her in March and it was after that trip that I really started working on this.

If I hadn't quit, this would have been my 22nd week in a row working out and eating right.  I would have probably been under 200 by now.  I'm in no way giving up, that is for sure.  That is in no way an option.

I was at my mother-in-laws last week and we were going through old pictures.  I was flipping skinny even when I was pregnant.  My hair was long and Michael and I were talking and he really wants me to grow my hair back out.  I have been looking for long dos that would still not make me look 10 years older.  I look younger with shorter hair.  So, I think I will make an appointment with Christine, my hairdresser, and see what she can suggest.  I have this stupid naturally curly thing, so it has to get down past my shoulders before I can really do anything with it.  I want to get it colored again, but I also want to be able to do more than throw it up in a ponytail.

This Saturday, I went to visit my son in Raleigh.  He moved back for school last Tuesday.  It's so hard to believe that he is a senior at NC State this year.  Boy, I feel old, lol.

On the way there, I was listening ot one of the comedy stations on Serious satellite radio and this came on:

It as HYSTERICAL!!!  Especially the ones that were supposed to be REM and Alanis Morrisette auditioning, lol

Then, Mikey and I went to Sushi Nine for lunch.  It was AMAZING.  Most of the sushi that I have had has come from Japanese restraunts or Chinese buffet.  I had never been to an acutal Sushi place.

What made it better is that all the rolls were BOGO, so a 70.00 dinner was only 32.00. lol

I had the Rainbow Roll and the Lobster Roll

Mikey had the North Carolina Roll and the Wolfpack Roll:

We were going to go to Cheesecake Factory, but we decided on Sushi Nine.  I'm glad we did becase I definitely do not need cheesecake :p.

Then, we went to Trader Joes and I found the most amazing thing ever.....Cookie Butter!!  It's like peanut butter, but it tastes like a damn oatmeal cookie.  It's wondermous!!  The guy at the checkout said it should come with a warning label, and boy was he right!!  We got him some food for the apartment and some beverages and then I took him back and headed home.

Friday night I had found Sugar Cookie Vodka.  I have been looking for this ever since a lake trip where Leslie had it mixed with diet root beer.

It's a nice combo to have at night before I go to bed.

Ok, enough for now.....Zumba tonight and will catch up my weigh in page with the correct weight tomorrow morning.

Wordless Wednesday - The Yellow Brick Road 5-Mile Race

Mikey and I ran in the 1st Annual Yellow Brick Road 5-Mile Race in Roxboro, NC on July 14th.

Mikey placed 3^rd in his age group (20-29) and 44^th overall.  I placed 13^th in my age group and 118^th overall (out of 321 people).

This was a huge deal to me, as I tore my hamstring 2 weeks ago water skiing, but I was determined to finish this race, as it was the first one of the season.  My son is a huge help to me in my running and it’s something he and I enjoy doing together.

Me at the finish line

Waiting for the door prizes

Start line

Me moving ahead

Like this one - this is about 1/2 mile in

Mikey at the finish

Random costume wearers

I passed the mayor of Munchkinland!

Mikey getting his trophy

Wordless Wednesday - Creed run in from 2002

Scott Phillips from Creed.

I will be seeing him on 9/5/12 at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

I always get backstage passes for them.

But, I have lost a lot of weight since 2002, when this picture was taken in Philladelphia.

Office Mates

So we moved offices around last Friday.

I now share an office with someone.

Honestly?  IT SUCKS.

The person that I share an office with talks WAY too much.  I have 2 huge certification tests coming up and I spend probably 1/2 my day working on studying for those.  The other half is my daily stuff....internal audits, meetings, etc.

Last Tuesday, we were told where we would be moving.  I have known this was coming for a while and have been ok with it.  I get along with everyone for the most part.

But this guy.....ugh.  He is never here.  Since December when his vacation/sick/personal time renewed, he has used EVERY BIT OF IT.  He's getting ready to be out for a month or more with neck surgery starting this Thursday.  He is being considered for a supervisor position and goes on and on about how he is not going to take it if they don't show him the money, because they have been taking advantage of him for the past 2 years beceause they don't pay him enough for the position.  blah, blah, blahblahblah.

Really?

You put out 167 (his count) applications/resumes and where we work was the ONLY place to offer you anything?  And THAT is only because you worked with our supervisor before.

Right.

All I have to say is when they build the new offices, I better be one of the first ones to move.....

Got in a 30 min walk last night.  Going for 45 mins tonight then Thursday, going to do my whole 5-mile circuit in preparation for the Yellow Brick Road 5-mile in Roxboro on Saturday.  I wanted to run it, but since tearing my hamstring, I am more than likely walking most of it.  Which is ok with me.  I just want to DO it.

A short hiatus and a torn hamstring

Yes, I have been MIA.

I am a slacker.

I tore my hamstring doing of all things, water skiing.

So, I have been in a bout of depression.  Or self-pitty, however you want to look at it. 

But, in the infamous words of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining".......Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Lynn!!

Today is a new day and I am back at it.  I have wallowed around long enough.  I need to get back on track....I was doing so well.  I am up 8 lbs.  But, I know most of that will fall right back off.  I really haven't been eating THAT terribly. 

And, while I have been having my pitty-party, I still have a lot to celebrate.

We made it through our SQF Audit.  We have worked towards this audit for 19 months.  And we did it MUCH better than anyone could have thought.  We got an EXCELLENT rating.  99.02%.  And the auditor raved on how I did my verifications and validations.  He was very impressed. 

Now, comes the hard part.

Keeping it.

Our company president is also the acting president of AIB, which is our certification body.

No pressure :p

I am in the process of getting my HACCP certification.  Once that is done, I will go for my SQF Practitioner certification.  Meaning, I will be over the entire SQF Program.

Again, no pressure.

But it means something more......I have been working towards a management position for the past 20 years at various companies.  And I'm about to get it!!!

So, no more self-pity.

Back to taking care of ME.

To water ski or not to water ski.....that is the question

I love skiing. 

Snow skiing, water skiing, they are both the same to me.

Problem is, I haven't done it in YEARS.   Literally.  The last time I skied anything was in 2000.  12 years ago.

We are leaving for the lake on Wednesday evening after the huge regulatory audit we are having tomorrow and Wednesday.  A friend of ours, who I introduced in a different post, owns a house at Hyco Lake.  We are going to stay there and commute to work the rest of the week, going back in the evenings and going out on the boat or just hanging out.

Now me, I'm just going to work Thursday for a half a day, taking a friend for a birthday pedicure and lunch, then I will have all day Friday to myself there until they get back from work.  They being the hubby, David, Randy and Jeff.

Michael and I were talking last night.  For some weird reason, he really, really wants me to try skiing again.  He's adamant about it, actually.  He thinks that I have lost enough weight to try again.  Actually, I haven't tried to water ski since I first did it in 1992, between my pregenancy with my son and daughter.  I think I did try sometime after Megan was born, but I was so unfit that I couldn't get up and just gave up after that summer.  I mostly just hang out on the boat and act as spotter when others are skiing.

Sigh.

So, that is my delema.

Maybe I'll try.

We'll see.

I leave you with what we had for Dinner Saturday night......awesome kabobs!

My other hobby...or guilty pleasure

I have a hobby that I am not proud to admit most of the time.

I'm a gamer.

Nope, not PS3 or Wii or anything.

I play an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game)

It's called Everquest 2.

Have I ever played World of Warcraft?  Maybe.....for like 5 minutes.   It's so immature - at least in my opintion - compared to EQ2.  Nice graphics, but not as deep a plot line.  And a lot of younguns play WoW.  Older people tend to drift towards EQ2.

I just got my 7 year veteran reward on one of my accounts.  I have 2 accounts and I "2 box".  What that means is I play 2 accounts at one time.  I do that when I am not in a group.  I don't raid a whole lot.  The politics of raiding annoy me.

I have made some WONDERFUL online friends through EQ2.  I have met a few in person.  My closest online freinds are Erreck and Shelita - otherwise known as Crusher and Dayhumper (yeah...Dayhumper :p).

Do I attribute this to my weight gain over the years?  In part, yes, I do.  Sitting in front of a computer every night when I get home from work was a huge part of my life.

It affected my weight.

It affected my relationship with my family.

But, it's still a hobby.

Just not so much now.

Now it's just more of a weekend only thing, and even then, only for a few hours.  After I workout or play tennis with the boy, or go play disk golf, or walk with my walking buddy.

It's taken a back burner, rather than being high on my proiority list.

Days used to be full of "What zones am I going to do tonight?, "How much plat did I make on the broker today?", "Who the hell invited that person to the guild?"

Now, it's full of run, work, go to gym, walk, cook dinner, sleep.  And very little EQ2 time.

Do I miss it? 

Sometimes.

But it's always still there waiting for me :)

This is Faldur.  His real name is Mike and he's been away from the game for a long time due to health issues.  We all miss him :(

This was a hysterical death picture.  We were in a zone called Guk and we somehow all got stuck in the side of this box, lol.

This is my dirge, Kaydance Silentsong

Mereyne, my necromancer, and Bigsmaug, one of Crusher's alts.

Group in Solusek Ro.  We were working on a heritage quest.

Camping a mob (named character needed for a quest) in the Crypt of Varsoon.

Soloing in the Fens of Nathsar, one of my favorite areas.

Random Group

 Closeup of Mereyne - I love her colors.  I've actually pondered getting her as a tattoo.

Mereyne standing in Freeport, her home city.  They've changed Freeport and you can't have characters start there anymore, though you can still have a house there.

Inside Mereyne's house

Nereyne, my illusionist.

Nereyne, my conjurer.  I deleted her :(

Weigh in and Friday Lyrics - The Wanted

Sooooooooooo....with my new R3 Program that I am using, my weigh ins are on Friday.

I was 1.4 down this week :) !!  I've lost 30 . 8 pounds and the weight is steady loss now since starting R3.  I've lost 8.1 since June 1st.  This makes me soooooooooo happy!!  And I'm eating a lot better and more than I was eating on WW.

Friday Lyrics....I blame my son for this one, because he made a facebook post about it yesterday and now it's stuck in my head....

"Glad You Came"
The Wanted

 

The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I'm glad you came

You cast a spell on me, spell on me
You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me
And I decided you look well on me, well on me
So let's go somewhere no one else can see, you and me

Turn the lights out now
Now I'll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time,
Time is slipping away,
Away from us so stay,
Stay with me I can make,
Make you glad you came

The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I'm glad you came
I'm glad you came

You cast a spell on me, spell on me
You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me
And I decided you look well on me, well on me
So let's go somewhere no one else can see, you and me

Turn the lights out now
Now I'll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time,
Time is slipping away,
Away from us so stay,
Stay with me I can make,
Make you glad you came

The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I'm glad you came
I'm glad you came

I'm glad you came
So glad you came
I'm glad you came
I'm glad you came

The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I'm glad you came
I'm glad you came

Wisdom from a cookie

So I went to the Chinese buffet for lunch today because I wanted sushi.

I had the sushi....and a few other things.....for a whopping 950 calories total.....and then I got my fortune cookie.  I usually don't read these things.  There was actually one time when a friend of mine and I had the EXACT SAME fortune when we opened our cookies.  But, this time, as I drove back to work, I ate said cookie and read the fortune.

What it says is rather ironic.

With all the working out that I am doing, I'm very determined to make it to my goal this time.

We have a huge regulatory audit next Tuesday and Wednesday....I'm determined we are going to pass.

I'm determined to finish all my Christmas sewing projects in October this year.

I'm determined that Michael and I are going to take at least 2 vacations by ourselves every year.....we never got to travel over the past 20 years because we had kids at home.  Now they are in college and we need "us" time.

I just found it rather ironic that my cookie told me what I basically already know.

Just like I'm determined that even though I ate a crap ton of calories for lunch, I am still doing Power, Core and Belly Dance tonight......I'll be at the gym from 5:30 to 8:15.

And I'll burn all those calories, I am sure.

Somtimes you have to eat a little more than you need to realize that you actually didn't need that extra spring roll or that extra spoon of coconut shrimp.

Blah.

Lol.

Smart cookie.

Wordless Wednesday - remembering my dad

Father's Day was this past Sunday.  With both my Dad and dear Father-in-Law having passed, I only have the hubby to celebrate it.  But I have awesome memories of both of them.  These 3 pictures were from a didgital photo frame my mom sent me for Christmas just after my dad passed.

My 1st birthday.

I shared my love of horses with my dad.  Here he is in his 20's.

Somewhere in North Carolina on vacation - somewhere around 1976 or 1977.

Love and miss you, Daddy.

David Eugene Morrison, Jr.

June 3, 1948 - December 9, 2008.

My review of the R3 Program

The R3 Program is a program that my gym uses to track nutritional info and weight loss for customers.  It's not a requirement - and it does add 10.00/month to your membership fee, but I was so frustrated with Weight Watchers that I thought I would give it a try.

The program was started by Dr. Oz.  I know I have heard about him (I think from Oprah?) but I have never really read anything by him.

The website is here - this is where anyone can sign up:
http://www.dotfit.com/

The other website where the logging is done at is:
http://www.sharecare.com/


So on the 1st, I met with Melissa, who is my Nutrition Coach.  She can look at my info in the R3 program at any time and see how I am doing (or not doing, whatever the case may be) and we can tweak it if I'm not eating enough, losing too fast/slow, whatever.

I really like it so far!  It has me eating 1800 calories a day.  On Weight Watchers, I was eating within my points, but I apparently was not eating enough.  I was only eating between 1300 and 1500 calories a day.  This was putting my body in starvation mode and I kept fighthing the same 4 pounds for about 2 months.  I knew I should be going down in weight, but the scale wasn't budging.

This picture shows the main screen.  It's where I see how many calories I'm supposed to eat, how many I should burn, and what my current weight is.  I actually have 280 from my run this morning I need to plug in there.  Typical daily burn for me is about 800 calories from exercise and the rest is from lifestyle.

This shot shows my weight...the black line is where I should be according to the program.  The little dots are my weekly weigh ins.  The filled area is just showing complete.  By September 18, I should be under 200lbs.  By March 8th of 2013, I should be at my goal weight.

This page shows all my workouts and the notes from them.

And this one shows my food diary.

There are TONS of other things on here I haven't really played with yet.  Menu creator, workout creator, there's a store that has all this nutritional food crap ( I stay away from processed stuff, so probably won't be using it unless I want to try their protein powder).

I really do like it - and I can cancel at any time, not like my gym membership ,where I am under contract.  This is like a supplement to it.

They do offer a free 30-day trial.

So if you are looking for a really good tracker, even though I know there are free ones out there, I would highly recommend this one.



.75 of a mile, New Running Shoes and Chia Seeds

Yesterday, my son and I got to talking about running.

2 years ago, I was walking/running 100 miles per week on average. I would do 5 miles in the morning and anywhere from another 3-5 miles in the afternoon. Every day, I would write this down on the calendar as to how far I had gone and how long it took.

Then I broke my tailbone.

We are running in a 5-mile race on the 14th of July. I HAVE to start running again, or I will be walking the whole stupid thing. I don't want to just walk - I want to run.

My walking buddy I walk with - there is no way in Hades she will/can/wants to run. I'm not going to bale on her just because of that.

So, my only other option is to start getting up in the morning before work and run.

This morning, I got up at 5:20, threw on my clothes, and hit the door. I managed to run 3/10ths of a mile, walked 1/10th, ran 3/10ths more, and then ran enough to equal .75 of a mile, walked the rest for a total of 1.5 miles. In 23 minutes. Not too bad, but not great either. It'll come back, I am sure. I will be able to run at least 3 miles of the 5-miler.

It'll just take time.

I'm doing the Outer Banks 1/2 Marathon in November and want to be able to run at least half of that, which would be 6.5 miles. I think I can build up to that by then. I just have to do it.

I LOVE my new Adidas Clima Cool Ride running shoes!! I got them and a pair of Saucony Grid Fiyas. While I am usually partial to Saucony, the Adidas are the bomb!!



I always keep 2 pair of shoes at a time - I like to alternate them and I always have 1 pair that is better for wearing in classes than the other. The Saucony will do better in the classes that I take at the gym.

In other news - I have started adding Chia seeds to my morning oatmeal....these little suckers have a good amount of protein in them and they also keep me fuller for a looooong time. I ate my oatmeal at 8am.....I usually eat lunch at 11am and I am just now starting to feel hungry and it's almost noon. They also have a good amount of fiber in them, which I needed some extra.

So, that's that for today.....Zumba and my walk with Jody tonight! And, possibly, tennis for 30 mins with the boy...we'll see how we feel by 8pm, lol.

Friday Lyrics

I LOVE Gotye. He reminds me of Sting - it's his voice, not really the songs. This song reminds me of a couple of people that I used to know....litterally :)

"Somebody That I Used To Know"
(feat. Kimbra)

[Gotye:]
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

[Kimbra:]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

[Gotye:]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

[x2]
Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody

Musical Obsessions

Have you ever gotten that song stuck in your head that just will not go away?

It's like you go to sleep and it's there......you wake up and it's there.....and even listening to it, it won't go away??

I've been having that lately.

2 months ago, I had to ask my dr for medication to help me sleep.  I had tried everything, including melatonin, and nothing worked.  Usually, a couple of good beers were enough to get me relaxed enough to sleep.....but with the stresses at work and the stresses on my body of my new lifestyle, I have been constantly wired.  I feel so much better.....I just can't sleep.

So, she prescribed me Ambien, which has really, really helped.  As long as I can GET to sleep, I stay asleep.  The main problem I was having  was falling asleep.

My brain wouldn't shut up.

I'd be laying there and lyrics would be running through my head....

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller...."

"Get down hit the floor......."

"My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to......"

And on, and on, and on, and on.

So, the Ambien makes the voices shut up.  I typically only take half.  When I have a beer or alcohol, I can't take any, so I can only do that on a weekend, when not getting much sleep isn't such a big deal. 

I started taking a belly dance class 12 weeks ago.  I LOVE it.  I'll never be able to do Pilates or Yoga....I am not nearly that flexible.....but I L.O.V.E belly dance.

So, right now, I am stuck on music like this....

My favorite song to do in belly dance class...I love Shakira.

And this....we actually do this one in hip hop class, but I could sooooo belly dance to it

I didn't go to step class last night.  I totally bailed on Nellie and I felt really bad.  But I felt crappy.  Feeling crappy and step class do NOT mix for me.  I get too hot and feel like I am going to pass out and my heart rate does stupid things. 

But, I did walk with Jody, so I did do SOMETHING.

Tonight is Power, Core and BELLY DANCE!

Getting dinner from Isabella's.  I'm going to have a big Greek salad.  I feel a lot better today and know I will rock it tonight.

Wordless Wednesday....Random Outer Banks Shots