Catch-Up

I have things to say, but I feel like I have to play a bit of quick catch up before I can.  So without further ado...

Running the 10K is off.  Mainly because our friend who wanted us to run hurt his back and can't run (although, thankfully, he's getting better).  I had already resigned myself to walking most of it though because...

The running thing was going very well.  Was.  I was packing on the distance and about a month in my right foot started hurting all the time, regardless of whether it was bearing weight or not.  So I went to see my friendly base PA and it turns out I have a rather large bunion that has appeared from nowhere. I say out of nowhere because my foot shape isn't exactly condusive to having bunions, but yet there it is.  Unfortunately there aren't a lot of solutions.  I can have inserts made to prevent it from getting worse and hopefully allow it to improve.  Tricare won't cover this option because I'm a dependent. They run about $1000, which wouldn't be so bad, but my PA had them and they weren't helping her.  The other option is surgery.  That is covered by Tricare, but there's a 3 month recovery period and I just don't they're bad enough for that yet.

She did suggest that I get fitted for new shoes.  And she's right, my running shoes have become loose and don't fit me properly anymore (I do this weird thing and lose significant amounts of weight in my feet, changing their size - from middle school to high school I went from a shoe size of 11 to 8).  In fact, none of my shoes fit right now - they're all too big.  But my feet don't seem to be done shrinking yet and I can't just keep buying shoes. So for now I'm not running and doing other things instead.  On a positive note, the fitness folks on base will do a free stride analysis for me and recommend shoes, so I'm definitely going for that when the feet decide they're done.

In happier news, I've lost almost 20 lbs since mid-January.  I'm doing the Weight Watchers thing and it's going well so far.  I've lost weight faster in the past, but I'm doing this in such a way that I'm not miserable and frankly I think that's more important.

It's still snowing here - probably will for another few weeks.  I mean it's not coming down constantly or anything - it generally snows at night and melts in the morning.  But seriously, I want spring.  Please. 

My folks came out to visit a few weeks ago.  It was awesome and I'll probably talk about it more later.  My mother-in-law is coming out in two more weeks.  It's nice to have visitors. 

We've also spent the winter months making things and I'll do a post on that soon too.  Maybe a few.  Complete with pictures.  Excited, yet?

And I think that does it for catch up.  More coming soon.  I think.

Run, Run as Fast as You Can

Kevin asked me to run a 10k with him and a friend on Memorial Day. Those of you who know me, know what a ridiculous request that is, so I’ll pause for a moment to let you compose yourselves again.






So, yeah. The thing is, I want to do it. I want to be a runner. I’ve chronicled my feeble attempts to do the Couch to 5K program here a couple of times. Clearly, I’m not exactly athletic. As I like to say, I’m built for comfort, not speed. Couple that with the fact that I spent almost two months living at sea level (and we live where the air is thin, thin, thin), JRA in both my knees, and a mere 18 weeks to go from couch spud to running stud (studette?) and this could be quite the challenge.

Of course, I do like a challenge. And I’ll be the first to admit that the easiest way to get me to do something is to suggest that I can’t do it. There’s also something to be said for having a concrete goal and deadline.

So, I think I’m training for a 10k.

I found this program that suggests you can go from not running to 10k in just 10 weeks. I’m sort of combining it with the couch to 5k program. For the first 7 weeks I’m doing couch to 5k (with Weeks 1-4 compressed into 2 weeks since my stamina is built up enough to handle it). At Week 7 or so I should be able to run a 5k. I’m taking a rest week and then I’m following the last few weeks of the 10 week program. That should mean I can run 10k by Week 11 or so and with another rest week before the race, I should have 6 more weeks to improve speed, stamina, etc. It sounds so easy....

End of Year Wrap Up (Finally)

I had every intention of doing a post holiday update and an end of year update. But you know how things go when you have plans and good intentions.


We really did have an excellent holiday. And the Tuesday after, as ordered, Kevin and the kiddo returned to the wild, wild west. Then Friday morning, Kevin got the call we’ve been expecting for the past 3 years. His nana had passed away. She has been in a nursing home since a bad stroke 3 years before and by all accounts went peacefully with her children at her side.

Saturday, Kevin and the kid returned to me and the next day (on the kiddo’s birthday nonetheless) we drove north. It was a hard few days, but nana had a beautiful memorial and Kevin gave a touching eulogy.

That Friday we all flew back west (and I finally got to see my kitties after over a month away). By Sunday I was sick with the worst stomach flu I’ve had in quite some time. Thankfully, Kevin and the kid avoided it.

Selfishly, I’d really like to call a do-over to the new year (because I have that type of power), but really I’m just grateful to be back to normal and I’m looking forward to a better February. And some Spring would be good too.

Merry Christmas!

May your days be merry and bright...

And may all your Christmases be white.

Joy That Will Last

Forgive me for a moment while I count my blessings.  We got some news last night and I'm in a snit about it.  That new found Christmas joy I bragged about in my last post was short-lived.  But the best way I know to get over myself  is to think about all the good things in my life.  So here we go...

1.  I have a wonderful husband and stepdaughter and I get to spend Christmas with them
2.  I have amazing parents and extended family and I get to spend Christmas with them as well
3.  In this economy, my workplace let's me live several thousand miles from the home office
4.  Despite the fact I can't live in the dream home we bought, it is rented by people we trust and who take good care of it
5.  I have fantastic friends
6.  Three snuggly kitties are waiting for me at home
7.  We've gotten to do and see things we wouldn't have if we weren't stuck in the wild, wild west
8.  Since we're military we don't have to worry about Kevin losing his job or health care
9.  I'm able to take lots of time off around the holidays to spend as much time as possible with my family
10. There are a million little things from creature comforts to small acts of kindness that make all of my days special.

Goodness.  I feel much better.  And now, the news we got last night?  It seems silly now. Kevin and the kiddo were arriving today to spend two and a half weeks home with me.  Yesterday over half of Kevin's leave got cancelled (and not because of anything important, just due to some poor management on someone else's part) so they'll be returning much, much earlier than expected.  Now it doesn't seem so bad - I feel silly for being upset.  There are so many people who won't be spending any of the holidays with their loved ones and I had the nerve to complain.  Shame on me!

I've got my head screwed back on right now.  Thanks for letting me work that out.

A Little Christmas, Right This Very Minute

I've been grouchy.  And despite having been surrounded by Christmas lights and music for weeks now, I wasn't feeling the spirit.  In fact, I've been feeling put-upon and overtaxed.  Even visiting the Pageant of Peace at the Ellipse didn't help.  Neither did Christmas baking and fudge-making.

But then, in my normal blog wanderings I came across this post at the Bloggess. I just asked to be added to the list of donors, and although I haven't been matched yet, I already feel Christmas-y. 

This is what I've been missing.  Giving to someone who could use the help.  We're blessed enough to be able to afford Christmas gifts and a Christmas supper and heat and our home.  Now we're lucky enough to be able to give a bit of that to someone else. 

It's making my day. In fact, being given this opportunity to help may be the best gift I get this year.

And then it was December

This time flying thing has GOT to stop

But clearly it must be Christmas time because the Scar put on her festive Christmas hat.