10 Things I love about my husband

Okay Amy wrote about things she loved about her husband so I thought I would give 10 things I love about my husband.
1. He will always share the food evenly with me even when it is something he really really likes.
2. He will do all the nasty yard work and doesn't ever ask me to help
3. He lets me spend lots of dollars on running shoes and never says a word.
4. He helps me carry in groceries without being asked
5. He washes dishes
6. He will make dinner if I give him a menu
7. He remains rational in the midst of my PMS and gently reminds me that I can't kill the people in Kmart for just being in the store the same time as me.
8. He can fix just about anything (which is good because I am forever breaking things)
9. He is a FANTASTIC grandpa
10. He will go all the way downstairs to bring me a drink of water so I don't have to get out of bed.

Updates:
Baby Adam: ROLLS OVER.

Workout: Precor today....not in the mood for treadmill. Pounded the heck out of the Precor...resistance 12...I am going to have thighs of iron which is good seeing as my true name is Kim the Iron Maiden.

Husband: Starting his own business...FINAL PUNCH...geared to home builders but also works for homeowners.....does an array of home repairs for individual home owners...for builders he does punch out and their warranty work. He sums up his job as "I don't build homes. I just make them better"

Christmas...tra la la is almost here and I am giddy with anticipation. I love to see my family open their gifts. I love that the kids get so excited they just can't sit still (Tyson and Abby). Use to be Amber too but she is now a patient young woman. I love waking up on Christmas morning and have a cup of coffee while cuddled up on the couch. ahhhhhh

Random Thought/Pondering: How many miles would I have to run to be able to eat an entire pecan pie?

I CAN'T SLEEP THEREFORE I CLEAN

1:30 A.M. and I was wide awake. What's a girl to do at 1:30 a.m? She mops floors, cleans toilets and scrubs out the bathtub. Now I am going to be a grump this afternoon! I actually got down on my hands and knees and peeled all the paint droplets off my bathroom floor (from the mess I made attempting to paint 4 years ago!) and I scrubbed my kitchen floor on my knees with bleach water and a scrub brush. I will not go into what I wore to scrub my floors but I will give you a hint....it was not pretty.

Workout: Going great! I did 3 miles of incline sprints on Tuesday, Swam on Wednesday,did 5 miles on Thursday and 2 miles and power hour yesterday. I also found if I lift before I run on Tuesday I can get my whole lift in. If I wait till after I run all my friends are in the weight room and the only thing that gets worked out is my yappy mouth. You might notice nothing is listed for Monday that is because I went into full Christmas meltdown. My cards were not addressed. I had unwrapped gifts laying about and I just panicked so I stayed home, addressed Christmas Cards and wrapped presents.

Christmas: My husband violated the honor system and LOOKED at my Master Christmas List! Granted it was laying out on the nightstand but that is what the honor system is for! He WROTE a note on my Master Christmas gift that he particularly liked one gift idea I had for him! I think the honor system is going to go....because when I told my daughter her father violated the honor system and looked at my Master Christmas List she says, "Mom we all look at your Master Christmas List" So now it will be put under lock and key or maybe I will invent a code so that no one can read it if in error it is left out.

Baby Adam: Baby Adam spent the night with Grandma last Saturday while his mom and dad went to a Christmas party. He slept the entire night! I thought I would not get much sleep keeping him...and I did not...not because he did not sleep....but because I kept checking on him thru the night because his sleeping so soundly it freaked me out. What a sweetie he was and he woke up all nice and happy and sat in his bouncy seat and kicked and kicked and kicked. I think he was very dissappointed when his dad picked him up before he could have bacon and eggs with grandma....mom just lets him eat rice cereal...poor boy.....

Christmas Ornaments: Saturday night Amber and Abby came over and we made Christmas ornaments and had pizza. Abby really likes to do projects and she is especially fond of glitter.

Well better go for now...will have more to say later....and post some pictures.

WARNING: CHRISTMAS COOKIE SHORTAGE IS EXPECTED. IT IS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND ALL HOLDS ON CHRISTMAS COOKIE EATING IS LIFTED. BEWARE KIM QUEEN OF THE GLUTTON IS ON THE LOOSE.

Up Down and All around

I have been so busy I don't know whether I am coming or going. I have been slacking on working out since November and have decided I better kick it into high gear as the Mini is in May. I did a 5k last weekend. Time not so good but I had fun....35.22.
Updates:
Vandalism: My husband's car got picked again. This time they took the lug nuts off and when he was driving to work his tire fell off and rolled past him.....damage $250.00. So far we have one burnt down garage, 6 punctured tires and drum damage (from the tire coming off). The neighbor got his windshield busted out the other day. The kids that we believe our responsible (or their friends) will be moving by the 1st of January. Hopefully this will be the end of the vandalism.

5k: Was fun. Jeff, Leo, Mike, Kathyn and Jill did awesome. It was a first 5k for Tom and he did wonderful. I was so excited for him and his time was GREAT. It was so nice to have all the morning Y people there! We are like family. We have a few more wayward morning Y friends to convert so that we have the ENTIRE morning Y group there. Special mention: Russ makes a great Elf. This 5k was different I was not driven to break my old time. I don't know if I was tired(I cleaned my carpet before I went. I was up at 4:30 am to do that or was I tired from repeatedly checking on the well being of my car all night?At any rate I was all relaxed and just was having fun) You can check times at the Lafayette YMCA site. I would put the link in but I am to lazy to try to figure out how to put a link in my text. I guess that will be a I am bored in January thing.

Workout. I need to update my sidebar! I have been working out! Monday 3 miles with .25 mile sprints at 10 minute per mile speed. Okay that is not really a sprint but it is for Athena Goddess of Chub. Recovery .25 miles were spent walking or a slow jog (okay my slow jog is my normal run but you know what I mean). Yesterday 4.75 miles. First .25 walking, then first .75 at 4.6, then raised to 4.8 for around two miles held at 5.0 (I think that might be a little over a 11 minute mile) then the last 1/2 mile I took it up to 5.2. I know I need a workout makeover. Today is swimming which I am looking forward to as I am sore because we have been moving our office and I have been hoisting heavy boxes. Whoops time to go to the Y will post a couple of pictures for now from the reception. And this weekend will get some pictures of my most adorable grandchildren!

Dismayed, Defeated and Disgruntled

Dismayed: Someone slashed my husband's truck tires Last Tuesday evening. They got the two driver side tires. Wednesday night they came back and got the other two and my front driver's side tire and my daughters front passenger tire. Why do people do these things? Last year vandals went down and keyed cars...they actually wrote words in the car that described the people that lived in the houses so it was defintely someone who knows the neighborhood. I was lucky last time, they did not get my car or my husband's truck. They must have put us in their palm pilot for future vandalism because this time they did ONLY our cars. They must be highly organized vandals. I did not know vandals used a tickler system.

Defeated: I am defeated. Filth has overtaken my house. I have dog hair...enought to knit a sweater. The dust is everywhere. I can write "Kim was here" on every single piece of furniture in my house. Spider Webs have been spun in all the rooms of my house...it looks like the Munsters and the Adams Family lives here. My magazines (all unread except Runners World) are stacked so high that I fear for my life when I walk by the stack, Paperwork is in huge piles...If anybody would turn on a fan in my computer room it would be a catastrophe. I know I should clean it...but I just have no interest in it. I did get it somewhat cleaned up because people were coming over but I only cleaned the parts people would see. I think I need to be hypnotized to love housework.

Disgruntled: I am still in the same grumpy nasty mood I have been in for over a week. I STILL want to slap people. I still want to kick my dog. I still want to throw myself down and have one heck of a toddler tantrum. I think that Midol was useless. PMS should be gone gone gone so now what do I have? Post Menstral Syndrome...does that mean I will be grumpy 4 weeks of the month instead of just one? OH MY! I don't think my family can handle that. I don't think I can handle that...I am annoying my ownself to the point I want to SLAP myself. Maybe I need to tranqualized with a great big dose of elephant tranquilizer.

Updates:
Wedding Reception: Went Beautifully. I will post pictures soon. They had a nice turnout and a big thank you to those of you that helped:

Mom and Judy: Thank you so much for your hardwork at setting up! Mom the punch was delicious!

Kendra: Thank you so very much for all your help keeping the food stocked up and the incredible amount of work you did for clean up! I would have been there till midnight if not for you!

Thanksgiving: Fun fun fun. We had a great meal and the company as always was excellent. We had great fun playing survivor. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt the next day. My daughter and daughter in law did not hesitiate to stab me in the back and boot me off the island. They did not look even sad when they voted me off. Son in law also flunked the loyalty test and attempted to boot me off! THEY WERE LAUGHING WHEN THEY WERE VOTING ME OFF! I am almost sure if we were stuck on a real island that I would be the one they would cook and eat! Anyway when it came to the end for the tribal counsel to decide who would be the lone survivor(tribal counsel being those that were previously voted off) we decided that we really did not want either one (daughter/daughter in law)to win because they were both sneaky little back stabbers so we made them answer a riddle which involved morality, which of course THEY COULD NOT ANSWER, so the tribal counsel deemed them both losers! Thanksgiving earned a 1000% fun factor (aside from the car tire incident). Also a special note Baby Adam layed on the couch while we played the game..we were loud...we were laughing....Baby Adam slept...he is going to do just fine in this family.

BLACK FRIDAY: A sad sad sad day for Kimmie. No shopping had to work. I figured I better not ask for that day off because I only worked 3 days at my new job then went on a weeks vacation (they knew about this prior to hiring me). Then worked 4 days and took a day off (they knew about this prior to starting also). Then have a dentist appointment this Wednesday. My sister, Aunt Hee Hee, called Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. and tormented me with your gleeful gloating about her FABULOUS sales she got. I told her I was hanging up she was killing me. She laughed.

WORKOUT: I have been a total slacker since I got back from Florida. This week not so great....Monday 3 miles on treadmill and then power hour; Tuesday 5.75 miles (2 treadmill the balance outside) and lifting; Wednesday was swimming; Thursday: NOTHING; Friday 2 miles on Treadmill and Sunday 4.78 miles outdoors. I stink. To much going on in my life. I need to refocus. I need to get back to running on Thursday with my group. I am scared to go with them. I have been slacking. I won't be able to keep up. It will hurt. I won't be able to breath. I will die on 4th Street hill. I am sure I will whine, cry and walk during the 5 miles. BLAH! I should not even be called a Turtle. What is slower then a turtle...whatever that is that would be me.

Off to pack my lunch. Monday is almost here again.

Upcoming Events:
Shopping, shopping and more shopping. Anyone care to join me?

Today--Kim the Irrational

1. Did not run this morning now I feel guilty and fat. I think my thighs and waist have expanded by 5 inches. My pants are tight in the waist and cutting into my skin making me feel extremely disgusting.
2. Cranky, tired, moody and bloated .
3. I feel asleep in church...oh and Sunday School wanted to leave in the middle of church and go sleep in the car.
3. Went to Meijers, got irritated because there were other shoppers there. I had an overwhelming urge to run my shopping cart over the heels of the others shoppers because they were going so SLOW! Wanted to SCREAM at them to get "OUT OF MY WAY".
4. Glared at the woman who refused to move her cart from the middle of the aisles while she decided which type of marshmallows she wanted. It was all I could do not to slap her upside the head with a bag of mini marshmallows.
5. Wanted to scream at the meat clerk because he only had one type of frozen turkey breast and they were $1.89 a pound. Had a strong desire to throw myself across the frozen turkey breasts and sob.
5. Wanted to kick my dog because he would not shut up with that loud sharp annoying bark...***Attention Animal Lovers****Did not actually kick him just wanted to. I try to withhold his dog biscuit. Husband made me be nice and give him one.
6. Refused to return any phone messages that were on my phone due to severe irritability.
7. Had thoughts of calling off all pending holidays because of severe irritability. Considered having Kentucky Fried Chicken as the main entree for Thanksgiving. Also thought MCL might be a good idea for Thanksgiving cause then I would not even have to clean my house.
8. Wanted to eat an entire 2 lbs box of Fish Crackers. Could not because husband HID the fishes from me...per my request yesterday...but I was still mad that he hid them.
9. Have a horrendous headache that will not go away....since 3:00 a.m.....took aspirin....did not work...ate my weight in Nilla Wafers...headache still there....now feel like I want to upchuck.
10. Want to slap somebody... anybody...does not matter who....nobody here to slap except my hubby and he does not deserve to be slapped...he deserves a medal for putting up with me.

I think I need some midol or a tranquilizer.

Time in a Bottle

Time has gone by so swiftly and so much has happened. Let's see where did I leave off...hmmm I guess it was my Halloween fun with Abby...off to Florida I went to see my middle son Jamie get married. The bride looked beautiful as you can see from the pictures and my son is so very handsome. My sister Susie a/k/a Aunt Snoozy a/k/a Baby Susan and I drove down (rather Susie drove and I was her lookout) and met up with my sister Denise a/k/a Aunt Hee Hee. Susie and Denise went on a couple ship excursions. I did not go because I am not a stay out all night person (and they are)and I am not particulary fond of ships. However, I did get to use Grandma Mae's awesome gym facilities at her Condo. They had an olympic size pool, a resistance walking pool, a hot tub and a really nice cardio room. The weight room left a lot to be desired (heaviest weight they had was a 40 pound dumbbell) and no free weights other then dumbbells...mostly nautalis I don't think most of the older people really lift heavy weights. It is a community of people 55 and older. The plus side to hanging out at a retirement condo was that when I was running on the treadmill they thought I was an olympic goddess. Granted I did 6 miles and walked 2 but you would have thought I did a full marathon the way they were staring...matter of fact on my walk back to Mae's condo some man said "Hey weren't you the girl running on the treadmill?" I found two things wonderful about that: 1) He called me girl! 2) He called what I do RUNNING! Since I have alot to say I need to quit rambling so I am going to put this in some semblence of order:
Wedding: The wedding was lovely but I had panic attacks thinking NO one was going to be on time. First off just the transportation arrangements were rough as we had lots of people that we we had to transport and lots of different places to be. We had a mixup of time on when we were leaving the condo to get the bride's hair done. Once there we decided we were going to have her makeup done but the salon did not have time so we ran off to Macys. Time was running out on us. My sister wanted to shop at the mall which about gave me a nervous breakdown as it was then about two hour before the ceremony. I told her NO NO NO to shopping and then I kept my eyes on her the entire time least she try to make a break for it. I also vetoed a stop for lunch because of time. My sister said I was starving the bride and her bridesmaid. I said if I can go without food then they can! (Promptness is even more important to me then food!) The bride ended up finding a muffin and packs of M&Ms in her purse and was eating those. At the time I was just glad she had them because then we did not have to stop for food. But now that I am thinking about it...why did she have a muffin and M&Ms in her purse? Maybe she had a steak and baked pototo stuffed into her gigantic bag/purse. End result everyone made it on time and my sister has deemed me the Time Nazi. I cried I was so happy for Jamie and Tasha! Bride and Groom went off on a honeymoon cruise and I talked to Jamie today he was heading back to Indiana and he said they had a great time! The reception will be this Saturday so I am gearing up for that.

Food: Gee I can't believe I am devoting an entire paragraph to food! The reception dinner is Florida was hosted by Grandma Mae and she picked the most beautiful restaraunt overlooking the beach in Fort Lauderdale. It was an italian buffet The food was some of the best I have ever tasted and the desserts were not only delicious but beautiful. Yes Mom you are right presentation is a good thing but bulk still has it! However, this place had bulk and presentation! The evening before the ceremony Mae made us a home cooked meal of Pot Roast, potates and carrots and salad with a absolutely yummy decadent chocolate cake. Sunday we went to a fantastic chinese buffet. I also gained a love for grits....just what I need...another carbohydrate to obsess over. Oh and on the way down to Florida we stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Tenessee and I had the MOST DELICIOUS apple dumpling I have ever had in my life! Which leads us into the next paragraph:

Exercise: Thursday night on the way to Florida we stopped in Tifton Georgia for the night. I felt so guilt ridden from the fact that I had not run Thursday morning because we left at 3:00 a.m. that I ran on the treadmill for 3 miles when we stopped for the night. Amazing because 1) I don't workout at night and 2) I had eaten a huge Apple Dumpling for lunch. It was the hardest 3 miles I have ever done but by golly I did it. After that I jumped in the pool for a few laps. Friday morning we got up early went for swim and then hit the road. Saturday morning I got up and ran 6 miles on the treadmil and walked one mile to the fitness center and one mile back. Sunday morning I did an hour of swimming. Monday morning I walked the one mile to the center did 3 miles of running on the treadmill and walked one mile back. Monday morning we were back on the road so by Tuesday morning I was just tired tired tired from traveling and all the food I ate so no workout Tuesday. Tuesday night we pulled into town at 12:30 a.m. I was just to exhausted to get up so I stayed home from the Y. Thursday I was still tired but I went and tried to start the 5 mile route and had to cut it short. I maybe did 3 miles with lots of walking. I was just too tired. Friday morning I was still just so tired so I baled and stayed home in the A.M. The upside to that is now my computer room is clean! Saturday morning nothing but I have 5 miles slated for tomorrow morning.

Saturday: Went to pick up Tyson. We went to a movie and out for pizza for lunch. We had a nice Grandma and Grandson day! He is such a great boy and he thanked me very nicely for our nice day. He is a pleasure to spend time with.

Oh and throw in that mix I started a new job. Worked three days and went on vacation! They are probably thinking what kind of employee is she but they hired me knowing I was doing that so it must be okay.

Here is a run down of my 2006 year. Husband started new job, Two new Grandchildren, two weddings ( one my son the other my neice), One Garage Fire, a sick hubby (now recuperated quite nicely) and one new job for me! What a roller coaster year!

Here Comes the Bride....in Florida

Yes Another Boring List

10 WAYS I KNOW I AM GETTING STRONGER

1. I do not think about stopping and calling a cab while I am out on a run.
2. I feel like puking, passing out and laying down in the road when I get to the top of the hill but I manage to refrain.
3. I was able to do math in my head while running (how may candy bars will this earn me for the weekend) (calculating whether this run could give me a calorie deficit for the day)
4. I am able to utter 4 word sentences periodically.
5. After a run I do not feel like someone took a ball bat and worked me over.
6. I am starting to think about time instead of just "Okay I just got to finish the route...it does not matter how long it takes"
7. I don't want to roll into a fetal position and cry at the thought of doing the Mini.
8. I don't have to wear my lucky shorts to run. I am relying on my own strength..not the supernatural powers of my faded old blue mens' gym shorts (neither do I need my lucky underwear or lucky socks..okay maybe my lucky socks)
9. My jeans have gotten tighter in the thighs on account of my awesome thigh mass increase...NO IT IS NOT FAT...OR THUNDER THIGHS...THEY ARE POWER THIGHS.
10. I always look forward to my next run!

Sunday run: AWESOME 4.23 miles in 42 minutes...quite good for me! And I was not sore afterwards!

PHRASE OF THE DAY: By Abby on Saturday: "Aunt Kim you have a lot of power" ...gee out of the mouth of a babe pours truth!

Me and Aunt Kim

This is a post by Abby (4 years old)
I baked cookies. We sprinkled them. We ate them. I am going to take them all home. We putting black frosting on the cookies and we put white frosting on the cookies. I made a project. I made a house and painted house. I played for 5 minutes before the cookies were ready and we put frosting on them and Kimmie put them in the oven and I put them on the baker thing and then I played for 5 minutes and then I was ready to eat them.

Grandma and Grandpa's Joys

Wow So Much Going On!

Household (boooooring): Last Saturday got 1/2 of the privacy fence up. Fencing is not easy and I soon was very bored with it. Thank goodness my son in law came over to help and relieved me from the job. I have no concept of what is straight, neither do I understand the concept of a level....so I heard a lot of "Kim are you holding that up straight?" and my poor poor suffering husband heard alot of "I dunno". So I think he was every bit as relieved as I was when Lucas showed up. I also now have a bedroom door again! My weapon of mass destruction (Lizzie my sweet teddy bear looking dog)http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1216/1437/1600/dog.0.jpg completely chewed and clawed my bedroom door up. So it came off and we had to go doorless for awhile till we figured out what we were going to do. Our solution is that she is now locked in the laundry room while we are gone (Zedo however can be free) and my husband has reinforced the door frame with metal so she can't claw her way out. We have tried baby gates but she leaps over them effortlessly and if we put them up higher she snakes under...she completely flattens her body and goes under...it is amazing. So unless I have a babygate 5 foot high a baby gate will not stop my dog/gazelle. Oh and Zedo is not allowed in the living room without parental supervision...ever since he violated my gym bag by PEEING on it I have lobbied to have him banned from the living room. I was met halfway and now he can only go in there while supervised. DOGS ARE MORE TROUBLE THEN KIDS! Adam, Tyson and Carissa have yet to pee on my gym bag....though Adam tried to pee on my couch!

Tyson: Won his Superbowl! He did awesome and his name was called over the loudspeaker twice for tackles. Grandma was at the fence cheering him on! I know football players are not suppose to look cute...but by golly he does. Tyson don't forget to put November 11 on you calendar and I will pick you up and we will go to the movie and Chuckie Cheese!

Carrissa: She took a little wobbly step toward Grandma! Look out Brad and Natalie when she is completely mobile you will not ever sit down.

Adam: What a guy...my heart just fills with love everytime I think of him. He loves his Grandpa so much! He just lays in his Grandpa's arms and is just so content. He has his very first Halloween coming up and he is going to be a little skeleton. He is coming to Grandma's to trick treat and he is getting a can of Good Start Soy Formula for his trick or treat bag...and a owl rattle. Grandma bought him M&Ms too but I will have to be his M&M Proxy...too bad.......

Running: Ohhh my favorite part. Since I have been running with others I have been improving so much...not that it would be hard to improve as I STINK, but hey progress is progress. I did my Thursday run which is somewhere between 5 and 5 1/2 and I only stopped ONE time and that was at the water fountain which is a usual stop. I went up 4th Street hill and DID NOT STOP (granted I was slow as molasses)AND I did not stop when I got to the top and I made it up the two smaller hills on the way back. WOW. All I can say it I am so thankful for the encouragement I got from Jeff, Leo and Karen. No stopping for Kimmie whooooo hooooooo I am Athena Goddess of the Chubby Runner. Best of all I have no residual pain! I am gearing up for the Mini and under advisment have decided to add a 4th day of running which means I am going to have to cut something from my workout and after reviewing my workout it appears spinning will have to go. Why I chose spinning was because it is mostly legs and power hour is total body.

Swimming: So much improvement. I am even proud of myself and I am never never never proud of myself. My hope is to do and entire lap without taking that little break at the end...but at least now I can take a 30-60 second break and then go again...use to be I could not even make it 1/2 of the way down without stopping. Now don't get me wrong I still whine and complain during the Aqua power hour but I can whine and participate now. Usually I whine about the excessive amount of splashing and waves that the good swimmers make. Sigh...they never feel sorry for me and Jill just says for me to get moving (I love that girl..she has been a world of encouragement to me!).

WEDDING: One week from today my son Jamie will be married to a most wonderful girl. I am so happy that he found someone that he loves so deeply. I will be heading off to sunny Floriday on Thursday morning, on Saturday I will watch my son pledge his love to the future mother of my grandchildren. Jamie don't forget a woman can never have to many grandchildren and Adam, Tyson and Carissa need cousins...is that a subtle hint or what.....

WARNING: IF A NIECE CALLS AND STARTS THE CONVERSATION WITH "Aunt Kim" in soft conjoling voice. HANG UP AND DON'T ANSWER IF SHE CALLS BACK! What happens when you take a phone call like that is: You end up staying out late two Friday nights in a row, standing out in the rain and the cold, and walking people thru a very dark dark haunted mansion while wearing a black robe. Just kidding Amber I had a great time doing this with you!

At the end!

UGLY

Okay I wasn't going to post this picture because it is beyond hideous but you know I worked hard! Granted if I had worked harder during the race I would not have had to do this at the end....but......

First Picture Jeff bring me in. Katherine is the one in the long blue pants and white shirt who is right behind me...before I really kicked it in. I am just starting to feel the energy....Second picture is around mile two. The two woman in red were my first pace woman. Notice Katherin sprinting away from me AGAIN.

There were no Tears Shed that Day

Pumpkin Push 10k: 1 hour 11 minutes 20 seconds. Average Pace per mile 11:29.
Okay not the best I could have done but there were no tears, no thoughts of quitting and I did not think I was going to die. All in all I am not too depressed about the results. I took the big hill in the beginning very well. Did not stop...completed the first mile at 11:10 minutes (which included the big hill so I am very okay with that!). But at some point in the 2nd mile I lost it. I just got kinda freaked and panicked and next thing I new I was walking. I waited for the two woman behind me to catch up with me and then I started pacing with them and I was fine again. I told them I was so glad they were here because I needed to be paced and that I do not do well by myself. They welcomed me to their group and I stayed with them for a little while. However, I got ahead of them and then noticed I was by myself again and started feeling like I was having trouble controlling my breathing again so slowed to a walk. I heard yells from the behind me. It was the ladies that were previously pacing me. They were yelling for me to "GET GOING" I love these woman! Then I heard yells from the other side of the road. It was my friends from the Y they were on the route back. They said "Keep going Kim! I told them when they finished to send someone back to bring me in. Soon Ifound another lady ahead of me had to work to get her but caught up with her and paced with her. Thanked her for being there...she said glad for the company. She was a previous heavy smoker that quit and found her way to fitness. She said the nicest thing to me. She asked me if I weight trained. I said that I did and then she said I HAD AWESOME CALF MUSCLES and she would LOVE to have definition like I have. I stayed just a little ahead her for awhile. Then before I knew it I was by myself again (notice I have actually at this point passed 3 people! Go Kim! Inever pass anyone!) once I discovered I was by myself again. I felt like I could not catch my breath again and started walking (my walking never was more then 1 minute at a time). I saw my friend Katherine ahead of me...now Katherine has made it her mission to beat me in the chute....she was ahead of me the entire time and she would keep looking back...she was walking/sprinting/joggin ...she wanted to keep tabs on where I was and everytime I would get close to her she would quit walking and start sprinting. We were in the last mile and I knew I had to beat Katherine because I could not let her have her fondest wish.... However I was getting tired and I had to PEE really really bad (which I had to from the beginning but was afraid to go because I would miss the gun). So just when I thought I could not possible pick it up and beat her in the chute Jeff appeared. He had come back for me! He said come on Kim less then 1/2 mile you can do this and it appeared...my energy....the finish line. Goodby my dear friend Katherine! I will see you at the finish line...I will be waiting for you and I PASSED KATHERINE! Whoooo HOOOOOOOO.....My husband said I kicked it in...he has a picture of me kicking it in which I will not post because it is UGLY! I look like I am in the throes of death. But I am posting a picture of me near mile two and where Jeff picked me up to get me going again. All in all a good time! I know I can do better though! I just have to train more intense! Final results I was not last or next to last there were 5 people behind me this time! My husband came to the race with me...baby Adam, his mother and father were at the finish line for me, my friends at the Y were waiting at the finish line for me...oh how I long for the day when they don't have to wait at the finish line for me! Well enough time blogging for now I am suppose to be getting ready for church!

Repeat after me, "Kim is not a glutton"

This should go down in the Feast of the Hunter's Moon history. I did not eat my way around the feast. I did not eat 4 Bridies, 2 Buffalo Burgers, 1 Apple Dumpling, 1 Bag of Parched Corn, 1 Bag of Cashews, 1 Indiana Fry Bread, 2 Apple Ciders and 1 Fruited Lemondade as I did the last time I went to the Feast(***warning**** that type of food consumption will make one mightly sick!). This year I ate only 1 Bridie and 1 Buffalo Burger and some dried Cherries. This is the first time ever I actually sent more money on stuff then on food! I was so proud of myself and as a big thank you my body gave me the best weekend run I have had in months and months and months. Sunday morning 4 miles and NO WALKING. I could have gone longer but I would have missed Sunday School. I really think that running with others is making me stronger. Yes I was feeling discomfort but it was not anything I could not deal with! I went up the slightly big hill and turned a corner and went up a small hill and I did not stop at all. UP UP went Kim...chug chug chug and she continued to chug and then snap the discomfort reduced substantially.
So Sunday morning run..AWESOME. It was around 35ish when I went out so I wore long pants and long sleeve shirt....big mistake for this premenopausal woman I was sweating profusely within 15 minutes. I guess I just need to wear shorts and short sleeved shirt and tough out the first 15 minutes so that I am comfortable for the duration.

Friday: Spent some one on one Grandma and Grandma time with my little guy. He was introduced to Charlie's Angels by Grandpa...Grandma took him to the other extreme and had him watching Mama's Family. He was a perfect angel the entire time I watched him. His mother and father got home just in time for his colic time. Next time Kendra' says she will start her evening later so she can get home later and Grandma can deal with the colic time.

Saturday: Feast of the Hunter's Moon (note previouse paragraph for fantastic, stupendous food control). Adam got to go to his first Feast of the Hunters Moon. Grandpa walked around with him alot. He did very well! After the Feast I stopped by to see Ty and Carissa. Ty was too busy to stay in with Grandma. When I pulled up there were lots of little boys hanging out in the yard..running, playing and just generally being boys. Carissa showed off her crawling skills and got her first bloody mouth when she lost her balance and bonked her face on her toy. I then proceeded to the Mall where I was once again tramautized by clothes shopping. Those dresses looked great on the rack but somewhere between my taking the clothes from the rack and putting it on my body the dress altered in some hideous manner and it was NOT the dress I saw on the rack. I wanted to throw myself on the ground in the middle of Macys and kick and scream and bang my head on the floor. Needless to say I found nothing to wear at Macys. I then repeated the same at JC Penneys, CJ Banks and Kohls. Finally I went to Sears, if I did not find anything there I was going to Bed Bath and Beyond and by a silk sheet and wear it to my son's wedding toga style. Lucky lucky for my son I found a dress that will be serviceable. It is not the dress of my choice but I still have 3 weeks to look and if I am unsuccessful this dress will be adequate. I don't look too hideous in it...just mildly YUCK. I HATE CLOTHES SHOPPING! When I was a very fat girl I hated it with a passion and afterwards would have to calm myself with Pepe's Chili Con Queso and Strawberry Margaritas (please note the plural form!)...now I hate it but I can do it without the aid of Chili Con Queso and Strawberry Margaritas...now I just need take 3 tylnol and to lay down on the couch with cool washcloth on my forehead. I don't think I will ever adapt to clothes shopping. My inner fat girl is just to strong.

Sunday: Lazy lazy lazy girl. I come home from church and laid around doing nothing. I ran in the morning and that was about it. Hmmmm I wonder where that slugginess comes from???

Monday: Off to work Grandma Kimmie goes....home again home again jiggity jig. Daughter and son in law come over. In the kitchen...grandma holding Adam...husband looks at wife/grandma...has a dismayed look on his face, he points to Grandma/wife's arm...daughter stares and smiles...Daughter shakes her head, smiles and pokes at the arm, husband looks resigned, Grandma/wife has got a honking big bicep....Great for holding small babies in her arms. Husband says somebody is lifting weights again. Wife/Grandma says no no I am not increasing weight it just keeps growing on its own. Husband says HUMPH!
For the most part tis true...I have not been increasing weights...just every once in a while I want to see what I can bench...you know to check for improvement. My muscles have a mind of their own! I am not meaning to look like Lucy Lawless (well a flabby old Lucy Lawless).

The Top of the Hill

I have this hill on my route and I have not been able to make it up without at least walking 90%. Thursday I made it and only walked a few seconds...long enough for someone to say...hey keep moving. So I made it! Granted I had to walk when I got to the top to catch my breath and I really wasn't running all that fast (more of an accelerated shuffle) but I made it! AND IT IS A BIG BIG LONG HILL! I should have listened to the advice that was given to me and just kept moving at the top and it would feel better but no not me I think I gotta walk at the top..... later on another hill I tried it and they were right it does get better if you keep going, the discomfort does subside...you just gotta tough it out. However at the time I thought I was gonna die if I did not walk...so once again my mind suckered me...... But success over all. The 5 mile route I did had very very few walk breaks...one after I actually sprinted up a little hill....one at the top of the GIANT hill and one little walk right before the last mile and half. So good for me. I just feel like I am getting stronger....I hope it was not just a fluke and it is actual progress. Once I get stronger then I will work on speed. I also found that if I eat something before going out in the morning I feel so much better. But I have to eat just the right amount, not to little, not to much. Usally dinner at 6:30 pm. is my last food for the day...no snacks...so that is along time to go without eating and having to work that hard (5 miles for some people is not hard..for me it is). So when I got up I had 1 tablespoon of honey, 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter and two dry pieces of light wheat toast. The peanut butter it eaten NOT on the bread...why you ask because when it comes to peanut butter toast I am an addict...so I can have peanut butter and I can have toast but NEVER NEVER NEVER TOGETHER. My new favorite kick start for my morning on just general workout days is 1 Tablespoon honey. 60 calories...no fat and I have my diabetes controlled enough that it does not whack my sugar to badly. I need to test again today just to make sure. Spinning and Power Hour this morning was awesome..though could not do jumping jacks b/c my knee hurt. After the Pumpkin Push I will take a week or two and run 1 day a week and do the eliptical two days a week to give my knee a rest. I will still do the other classes though! Then it is start working hard for the Mini Marathon. I am not going to stress about it. It will be a walk/run combo b/c this will be my first one and my goal is just to finish and not to get picked up by the "You are too slow bus". (minimum 18 minute mile is what you have to do to not get picked up by the bus). Okay enough about that I am sure my family members are rolling their eyes and saying "Oh my gosh...you are so boooooring.....no one cares about your stupid workouts." Or perhaps they are thinking, "I wish she would stop working out we are NEVER going to get our inheritance at this rate." Well FYI family I am spending ALL of your inheritance at the Dollar Store this weekend.
Well that's all for now....lunch time....peanut butter sandwich (yes I can have a sandwich it is toast that I can't have...there is nothing more delicious then crunchy toast with the peanut butter all warm and gooey), some cauliflower with a tablespoon and a half of low fat ranch, a big apple and some pretzels as a treat!

Running to No Where

Okay...Monday I slacked off and did not go to spinning but I did make it to Power Hour. I just felt like sleeping in and staying home. Monday night I walked 3 1/2 miles with my husband. He is really getting into this exercising and thoughts of running are going thru his mind.
Tuesday: 4 miles (3.25 running/.75 walking) and then a little lifting The running was on the treadmill with a .5 incline....Oh how boring is the treadmill...no matter how long I go I keep seeing the same stuff.

Wed: Swimming...it actually went okay but I need to do some serious work.
Thursday: Planned for 5 miles so have to get to bed early tonight and get lots of rest!

Updates: Shed: Should be delivered today. It will be a 12X20 prebuilt. That is so I can get around those pesky little building permits. If it is already built and you just slap it down no "building" is being done. After that we will start our privacy fence. I would like to have a moat and guard tower but alas my husband has vetoed those options.

Baby Adam: Over 12 pounds and not even a month old till tomorrow. He has outgrown 0-3 months and is now in his 3-6 months. He will be spending some one on one time with Grandma this Friday!

Baby Carissa: Cute Cute Cute. She is crawling all over the place! She wore her little Colt's outfit this weekend and looked so adorable.

Tyson: Had another game this weekend. His team is undefeated so far! You can tell he just loves football! He looks so cute in his football pads! I know you are not suppose to say a football player looks "cute" but by golly he does.

Oop time to go back to work!

Okay you promised me Cookies...

Make it Hurt Please

Friday Morning Workout: INTENSE. Lots of sprintwork. Seal walking ( a horrible horrible exercise), pushups/pullups/tricep dips....more sprintwork. Saturday morning I was sore and my muscles were saying..."Oh No you are NOT doing any working out today" Ha since my body bales on me all the time this was the perfect time to torture it. So......

Yesterday morning was a practice for the 10k pumpkin push. My plan was to mostly walk on account of the extreme muscle soreness. But I popped two extra strength pain Tylonol and ended up doing way more running then I had ever intended. I had already done my steady longer run on Thursday so Saturday my plan was just to get familar with the pumpkin push route. After the "Hog Jog Experience" I have decided that not knowing a route makes it 1000% more difficult as the run seems endless and you have no idea when it is going to be over (unless of course you can afford one of those nice little devices that the real runners wears...also I feel like I should move much much faster to even deserve one). I had driven the route and then thought I better do it on foot as well. Because parts of it are just along corn fields with a few houses my mom followed behind me in the car. Now don't think I am a weenie because I am not normally a fraidy cat and I go out when it is dark lots of times...but it just seemed sorta isolated. Anyway it went well aside from the fact that it is a HILLY route and all the hills are uphill and there are no big downhills. The hills go up up up and then the land evens out. THAT STINKS. I love the downhills and it is like a little thank you to kim for the uphill work. At any rate when I was done I felt really good....which means I DID NOT WORK HARD ENOUGH. I know I did not push myself very hard because when I was done I was all excited about going to spinning class. So off to spinning where I recruited another person from the halls of the Y to try spinning.They should pay me to be a spokesperson. When I went into class I said to the instructor "Make it Hurt Please" and she gladly complied. I was dripping sweat by the time I was done and THEN I felt tired.
Now not to brag. Okay I am bragging but prior to my practice 10k and the spinning class. I baked one birthday cake, made a double batch of cookies, a pan of homemade macaroni and cheese, did one load of laundry AND did all my dishes from the baking and was out the door by 8:15 a.m. Sometimes I just think wow Kim you ARE awesome. oops my overinflated ego is on the rise again...oops back to my day again...When I got home I took a nice hot bath and I would have stayed in there for hours but it was time to go my son in laws birthday party(which that was why I made the mac and cheese and cake). We had some lunch, sat around and talked and then played some euchre. Baby Adam looked especially spiffy in his little blue overalls. We sat outside and Baby Adam loves to be outside. It was a little cool but he was all snuggled up in a blanket and all you could see were two little eyes, one teeney little nose and a mouth! He loves to be outside! After leaving the birthday party we headed out to Westpoint for a Hobo Stew that the church was putting on. I had some really good Ham and Beans and they had yummmy desserts. Then they sat around the campfire and sang. I personally don't like to sing but I do like to listen and there was one woman there that had an awesome singing voice. It was strong and kinda bluesy sounding. Finally home where I read for like 10 minutes and then I was out like a light.

Wedding: The wedding is fast approaching and I do not have a dress. I am starting to panic. I am going to go online and see what I can find. Tasha and I did have nice time while looking for a dress. We drove to Kokomo and hit a few stores and then had a delicious lunch at the Olive Garden. I really love my soon to be daughter in law! Good job son!

To Much Power

Good week so far...at least workout wise....well at least running wise....
Monday: Did a partial spinning class because had to set up the gym because I taught power hour. Wed did a warm up of jog/jump rope/jack/power jack and then do some station work mixing up some cardio with strength training ended up with ab work doing along with other things a pyramid pushup crunch combo. I could only partially paticipate because I was tracking time. The inner gym teacher came forth and I was yelling go go go and would have given anything to have a whistle. To much power for a girl like me to have people do my bidding. I now think that all should obey me. Okay back to workout. In the evening my husband and walked 3.25 mile and took a really good hill.

Tuesday: Walked 1/2 mile and ran 3 1/2. On the treadmill and put put the grade at only .5 (I know I am a big weenie)

Wed: Did nothing....no swimming....hmmmmmm

Thursday: Ran 4 1/2 miles no stopping went up one big hill. Met up with some other runners (we had a mixup on time) and did my final mile with them. I just work so much harder when I go with other people.

Friday: Today is spinning and power hour. Mike will be subbing for our usual instructor. Who knows what kind of evil (he calls it fun) is planned.

I am taking a 1/2 day from work and going with my soon to be daughter in law to find me a dress to wear to the wedding which is fast approaching.

Last night checked out the 10k pumpkin push route....there is one HUGE hill and a couple small hills. I can not stress enough that it is a HUGE long hill and right at the beginning! The route scares me to death. I keep waffling back and forth...do I want to go for it....do I want to wait till I am stronger? Will I ever be stronger? Blah...I know I could walk it but??????????

Since I was in kissing distance of my grandson last night (pumpkin push route) had to stop and see my little buddy. He was hungry when I got there so Grandma got to give him his dinner. He just guzzled down his bottle. He is so like his grandma because when he was finished he kept smacking his lips as if saying, "Hey that was pretty tasty can I have seconds?" He is already to big for his 0-3. So at the ripe old age of 3 weeks he is entering the 3-6 month clothing arena. What a boy! Look out Payton....there is a new guy in town!

You know your happy when......

You feel like skipping down the halls of the YMCA!


Update: In two weeks....HAPPY TWO WEEK OLD BIRTHDAY ADAM....he has gained 1 pound 2 oz and grew 1 entire inch! What a boy. Nurse Practioner says healthy baby boy!

Exercise: My husband and I have been walking at night so today I logged in over 7 miles. (5running 2walking)

Running in Packs

This morning I was invited to run with some other people. I have never been real enthused about running with other people because I feel like I slow them down. However, this was an especially fun run. We started at 5:00 a.m. and they start running right out of the chute...not like me who thinks it is necessary to walk 1/2 mile for a warmup! I held my own the first 2 1/2 miles and at times was actually ahead of people and it wasn't till that last 2 1/2 miles that I lagged behind but I always managed to catch up. I had to walk a couple times to catch my breath but not anywhere near the amount of walking I do when I am by myself. Overall I give myself a B+(not so much for the actually running but for the effort I put forth). We ran down a beautiful road that was all curvy and downhill. However, for everydown hill there is usually and uphill. The first one was small and I made it up quite nicely. I actually sprinted up the hill. Then we hit 4th Street hill and that was a bear! When I got to the top I wasn't sure if I wanted to puke or pass out. I did neither though because I think they have a no puking, no passing out rule. I also thought that as much as they liked me they would not be willing to carry this large Athena back to the doors of the Y. So onward ho....another couple hills and then flat land to the end. 55 minutes....5 miles....not to shabby espcially since we had 4 hills in the route. One thing I found is that I need to be consistent with my pace. I tend to speed up and then I get out of breath and have to walk...so if I pace myself I could probably learn to run with absolutely no walking on the long runs. FUN FUN FUN AND I AM SO GLAD I GOT INVITED AND AM LOOKING FORWARDING TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED RUN. I was told that I am ready for the Pumpkin Push (10k) and if I have to walk a little that is okay...just like today with another mile on it. So I am signing up and I refused to get all freaked out like I did at the Hog Jog. I am just gonna go my own pace and if I have to take little walking breaks I am not going to beat myself up. Hopefully some of the people that ran this morning will do the pumpkin push so I can pace with them. I also need to go out and check the route because if I remember correctly (from volunteering the year before) there is one big long hill right at the start. I HATE HILLS! But this large Athena she does love the downhills!

Updates: Tuesday night invited my Mom over for dinner and then we played a couple of games of Skipbo. Ymmmm dinner we had Cubed Pork Cutlets on the Grill, Homemade Scalloped Potatos, Harvard Beets, Cooked Carrots, Apple Salad and Biscuits. Nice relaxing evening. (Beets and Apple Salad made with my best friend Splenda)

Thursday (Today): Adam has his first visit to the doctor. I am anxious to see how much my little buddy has grown.

Friday Night: Hopefully going dress hunting with Tasha. I need to find a dress for the wedding because it is fast approaching. I might even pop for dinner if she is nice!

Random Loving it Moment: Running in the cool autumn morning accompanied by Garth Brooks and his songs of love and pain.

Update

Got to see all of grandchildren this weekend! Stopped by Friday night to see Ty and Carissa. Ty is getting so tall. He is up to my chin now! Be good so we can do something soon! Carissa is standing up and crawling. Adam is eating and napping. Hmmm Adam is definetly showing some family traits! He also already holds his head up for quite a little while. Went to Miss Abby's birthday party. She is just full of energy. I am glad my being a mommy to small children is past. That is just too much hard work. The role of grandmother is much easier.
Monday: Spinning and power hour

4.75 miles on Tuesday...weather great....my cardio was not. Had to walk run but did take some evil hills. I can't seem to get my focus. Knee just hurt a little. A little lifting after that....mostly upper body

Today Swimming and if I get off the computer I can get into the weight room for a few minutes...so that is all...boring boring boring I know.

Babies babies and more babies

Ten Things

Ten Things that are Great About Weight loss and Gaining Fitness

1. I can not only see my toes I can bend down and touch them.

2. Several times I have been asked if I am my son's wife. He finds this offensive. I find it offensive that he finds that offensive.

3. I no longer waste money by paying a Y membership that I never use. I actually use my Y membership!

4. My belly does not rub against my steering wheel leaving black stains on the belly of my shirts.

5. When I get hugged people can get their arms all the way around me.

6. I can run and play with my grandchildren and neices.

7. Clothes shopping does not traumatize me to the point where I have to go home and lay down with cool cloth on my head in a dark room.

8. I am no longer breaking chairs at the office.

9. When I drop food it does not plop on my my chest....it drops on my pant legs.

10. I can shop at Old Navy.

TEN NOT SO GREAT THINGS

1. I have lots of extra skin and nothing to do with it.

2. I am not cheap to feed. Fresh fruits and vegtables are expensive.

3. The running has made my booty dissappear. I look like sponge bob square pants.

4. According to my children I no longer have "anything good to eat" in the house.

5. I don't have time to read anymore

6. I can't go on vacation because I am afraid to be off my food program and afraid that I will not have access to a gym.

7. I have become self absorbed. It is always about me.

8. I have an obsession with sporting good stores. In particular the shoe department.

9. People's eyes glaze over everytime I open my mouth because they know inevitable I will talk about working out.

10. Santa no longer finds me attractive.

Why I do the thing I do

I went on someone's blog the other day and she listed all the reasons she runs and so I asked myself "Why do I?" I am not good at it but I still continue...I mean I am a back of the packer of the back of the packers so why do I continue to do this....so here are my reasons...

I run because
1. I keep failing
2. they say big girls are lazy and I am proving them all wrong
3. I like to eat
4. life is hard and it fills your mind and when I am running my mind is empty except for the constant chant in my head of "Oh my gosh my legs are killing me and I can't breath".
5. I am doing something in the family that is unique to me.
6. I feel a sense of pride in my perseverance.
7. it may encourage other overweight woman in their 40's to not be scared to start working out.
8. I don't like housework or gardening
9. I want to keep my diabetes and blood pressure in check
10. the shirts they give you for doing the races are really cute!!! The Zoo Run has penguins on it and the hog jog...well you can figure that one out.
11. I want to set an example for my children and grandchildren..you know determination, drive, focus, fitness....
12. it teaches me to overcome fears
BUT MOSTLY IT IS BECAUSE....... I NEVER COULD BEFORE!
So now that we have delved into the depths of my soul off to lighter topics

Thursday Run: AWESOME 3.40 miles no stopping...up and across the big long hilly bridge by my sister's house! Not sure of time and don't really care. I was steady and did not stop not even once!

Baby Adam: He had his very first bath and he loved it! His mother said after his bath he was all zonked out. He has regained all his lost birth weight. I will post pictures tomorrow. His mother needs to send me the picture where is in the blue bag so I can post it!

Baby Carissa: Crawling....can you believe it...before long she will be walking....and another one of us will be let loose upon the world.

Tyson: Playing Football and Soccer. They boy is going to have legs of steel. Go Ty Go!

Abby's Birthday: Sunday at 2:00 at Aunt Denise's house, Snack foods and cake will be served.

Just got a minute

I will be putting more pictures up of Adam soon!

Updates:

Kendra had the baby Thursday morning. I was out of the office and up at the hospital most of that time. Then about 1:30 went home and rested for an hour or so before my husband got home and then back up to the hospital to see Mommy and baby. Went to work Friday and then Friday night once again my grandchild lured me back up to the hospital. Saturday at the hospital to bring my daughter breakfast because she said the hosptial food was horrendous and then off to run errands. Found a large 12X20 prebuilt shed that we may be ordering. I will call the company today and get a few more details. Off to HH Gregg to replace the freezer that was damaged in the fire, then back home to drop of hubby and off to the Grocery Store. Then back to the hospital to see our litte grandson (who can resist) and then dropped off to my son's to see my grandaughter and my other grandson. Sunday....ah tried to run and that was a dismal failure. Had 6 miles on the agenda but only completed 5.30 and most of that was walking! I have been eating crap all week because we have been on the run and I have been just too distracted to cook so we have been eating out alot. So I put crap in my body and in return in gave me crap back! So new week back on the food program. When I was running it felt like EVERY inch of fat was bouncing up and down and my legs felt like lead....very very very heavy lead. I was so mad by the time that I got home that I came storming in the house. I told my husband that that crappy run was EXACTLY why I will NOT quit the Y(we have had previous discussions about that topic). I missed two days of Y this week and my food program went out the window and it feels as If I am just a beginner exerciser! The Y keeps my mind and body in check! Anyway I spent the day mad as blazes about my workout and hope to redeem myself this week...which if I don't stop writing I am going to be late to spinning! Off I go to work off my week of excess.

After 24 Hours of Hard Work.......

Here is my little sweetheart. He had a rough time making it out! He WOULD NOT FIT! 9LBS 6 OZ and 22 inches long. The nurse said he is off their charts.

On the road again...I just can't wait to get on the road again!

This morning 3.35 miles and NO stopping and my time would have been awesome but I had to slow down on several sections because it was pitch black outside. I could not even see the sidewalk. Considering I was sick over the weekend I think I was AMAZING. I tried to focus and not get all whiny inside my head....had to tell that niggling little voice that continually chants, "I don't like this" to SHUT UP and you know what today it did! So my workout was successfull and the weather was awesome (actually I would have liked it to be 10 degrees cooler but hey I am being grateful for what I get). But I keep thinking the 10k is twice as long as that so I need to be twice as strong but I am going to go for the 10k anyway. Does anyone else have to keep talking to themselves while they "run". I constantly am reminding my self to relax, to use the big strong calf muscles I have to push off, loosen my shoulders etc. When will this every become natural? I have found that 3/4 of my battles are with my brain and not my legs. My legs says "ah don't feel so bad" and my mind retorts, "Are you crazy of course your tired you should stop right now and walk." And 90% of the time my stupid legs OBEY my stupid mind. Today my legs fought back and we ran and ran and ran....My mind is now getting its revenge by screaming, "I am hungry feed me ice cream, feed me cookies, feed my chinese buffet" My legs are staying strong and the refuse to budge me from my chair. My body and mind are always at odds...sigh.....

REASON 1 WHY WE NEED A PRIVACY FENCE

NyQuil Shots and Antihistimine High

I am recovering from my Nyquil hangover. Did you know that 2 shots of NiQuil within an hour of each other has the same effect as a nightlong drinking binge of Tequila? Not that I drink anymore those days are long gone. However, I have a pretty clear recollection of my Tequila days and I feel EXACTLY the same. Last night I slept twelve hours only waking up at 3:00 am for a dose of Fruity Pebbles and then back to sleep until 6:00 am. I think I have the sinus thing going on because I sure have felt pretty icky these last couple of days. Earlier in the week I had been sneezing like crazy and then next thing I knew my ears were plugged up...Saturday I woke up feeling not so great..ears plugged up, a raging headache, nasty nasty taste in my mouth but knew I had 6 1/2 miles to accomplish. My head was all stuffed up but I told myself to suck it up and get outside. My first 5 miles were pretty good mostly run with some walking. Then at mile 5 Icame across my friend Jill and she was doing her Saturday 3 1/2 mile walk so we ran just maybe a mile of her 3 1/2 and then walked the rest (walking up a pretty big hill that had me huffing and puffing). By the time I was done I had done about 9 miles all together (thought it was 10 but when I mapped it it was only about 9 sigh). After that I came home and got cleaned up and took my daughter to Pepe's for a most awesome Mexican meal. My mom a/k/a the slug went with us also. After that the daughter and I walked the mall in hopes of inducing her labor (did not work). The slug baled on us for that part of the outing. During the shopping trip I complained perpetually about my raging headache and hot flashes...at one point my daughter was fanning me with papers saying "Isn't is suppose to be me that feels bad and is whining" We picked up a few birthday gifts and then it was drop off daughter and go home to get my grocery list and check in with my husband so he would not report me as a missing person. Then off to the grocery store and that ended my day! So despite feeling crappy I was most active. Sunday went to church in the morning, came home went to Menards and then out to lunch with my hubby and then back home....then I truely did not feel good and that is when I hit the couch and did not move until 6:00 am this morning. So I am not feeling so great this Labor day morning but I absolutely am not taking anymore NyQuil (besides I dont' think that does diddly for sinus stuff) I have taken an antihistimine and that has me feeling jittery and hyper but yet lethargic...it is the oddest feeling...I want to clean and clean but yet I am soooo tired. So I have compromised. I have cleaned my computer room (organizing toys into big kid/little kid boxes) and am now taking a break while some dishes are soaking. Earlier I moved my oven cleaned under it, cleaned my baseboards in the kitchen and washed my kitchen curtains and half heartedly attacked the cob webs on the walls. I also have wrapped birthday gifts and baby gifts. I guess considering that I feel like someone has beat me to death I am holding up pretty good. I hope my husband does not read this because when he finds out how much I can accomplish when under the unfluence of antihistimines he may slip me a dose on a daily basis so that he can reside in clean tidy house and not the Munster's house. The poor man he suffers how he suffers. He is like....hmmmm Felix Unger and I am the nasty messy roommate Oscar. He puts everything back when he is done using it and straightens pictures and sweeps and dusts and I am totally oblivious to the messes. I mean I like things straightened up but I don't get uptight about dust. I just put the lights on dim and WAA LAA a dust free house! A little pinesol, a lit candle and we have a clean house. Well I better get back to work. This house has been long neglected and it needs to TCL

Garage: We have decided not to replace with a full size garage and are going with a very very large shed (12x15). We will then have half our slab for a patio. We are then going to put a privacy fence around our yard to block out the ghetto that is our neighborhood. (Shoes hanging from wires, graffiti up and down the alley, trash everywhere). My grandchildren will be able to play without fear and family gatherings will be nice because we will have privacy. The basket ball court will also not be accessibly to every joe blow that wants to shoot hoops. One night I went outside and there was a group of at least 10-12 kids playing on our court. They weren't even our neighborhood kids. I had never seen these kids before. They actually turned on our flood lights and were playing. I had to tell them it is 10:00 at night and we were going to bed and they would have to leave. We don't mind if some of the kids we know play but they are suppose to come up and ask first...and they are pretty good about that. For awhile we had lots of kids just coming up and playing and they would leave their trash and throw cigarette butts everywhere. Finally after constantly telling them no smoking, no cussing, pick up your trash they drifted away. I actually posted rules on the court because the kids were being just horrible. So now just a few kids come...the neighbor's kids behind us, our other neighbor's grandkids and that suits me just fine.

Adam: Kendra will be induced on Wednesday!

I LIED

Okay in the last post I told you I would write something more interesting...alas I am a liar...
Nothing interesting just the same old boring waaa waaa.

Garage: In the process of finding a contractor to erect one garage within our budget.

Husband: Recovering. He got the flu on top of all the other stuff. He is very weak but this long weekend should give him some good recovery rest.

Grandson: No baby yet. I think he likes his mother's comfy womb and will not come out. Perhaps he can be lured out with little debbie snacks? I am going to take her walking this weekend and then out for a spicy lunch to help encourage him to come out.

Fitness: Alas I missed a workout yesterday! However, I was good and strong today. I held up well during spinning then power hour. My plan is to do 6 1/2 tomorrow. Hopefully with minimal walking and then spinning class in the later morning. I like to run on Sunday but it is just too hard to get a long run in and then get home fix breakfast and get to Sunday School. When we were just attending church I had plenty of time but Sunday School starts early and it is just too rushed. I have decided my focus is somewhat lacking and now that the weather is getting cooler I need to really bear down!

Just in case anyone is interested I am actually cleaning my house and not just swabbing down my countertops with Pinesol to make it smell clean! Oh and I HATE HOUSEWORK! Nothing makes me crabbier in the world because the more I clean the more dirt I find and then the house seems even dirtier. My old tricks were pinesol and low wattage bulbs but that ain't working no more.....

Nothing but a slab

Well it is done! We have nothing but a slab where our previous garage sat. James, Chad, Brad and Lucas worked like mad men and now it is done. The dumpster will be taken away soon and now the rebuilding begins. I can't even begin to thank these guys for all their hard work! Today I need to take my site plan to the City Engineer's office so we can be begin the "obtain building permit process". Our contractor should be getting back to us with a our estimate and we will be on the road.

Exercise: Tired tired yesterday. Went outside decided I did not have the motivation to run outside that I would mostly likely end up walking so did sprints on the treadmill and then lifted. Today I am swimming and tomorrow is a 3 miler, Friday Spinning and Powerhour and Saturday will be a 6 1/2 miler....which hopefully will be steady with no stopping. At some point in there something may have to go if my daughter sees fit to deliver my grandson! This whole garage, Jerry sick, plumbing and car needing repair thing has killed my motiviation.
Well better go or am going to be late to swimming and I still have to throw my lunch together. More later...and much more interesting I promise.

General News

Husband: Still feeling poorly. He still has chest pains and his stomach is all torn up. It is to the point where they took him off the medicine for his heart and are concentrating on getting his stomach healed. He is now on Zantac 150 twice a day and Nexum (which is horribly expensive...$150 for 30 pills). He has started to put on a few pounds but not enough. He still eats very little and is NOT resting. I left him alone this morning to go to the grocery store and when I came home he had taken out three bushes and raked up the yard. Friday when we weren't looking he started working on the garage and James caught him. Then he told me he was going out to Pine Village to sit by the creek and relax and he did not sit down...he went hiking and now he is all pale and washed out and weak. He is a very very very bad patient and needs to be watch every minute of the day. He is like one of those work horses that will just work and work till they drop in the field. He has a high pain threshhold and will be holding his gut with one hand and the rake with the other. No man is gonna drop on my watch..so I will not leave this house unless he is by my side. He goes to the GP on Monday and to the Cardiologist next on Friday. STILL NOT SMOKING! Go Jerry! The whole family is proud of you! I think the GP might have to tranquilize him to make him STOP working.


Adam: No no Adam yet. Mother impatient and very very large. Doctor says nothing...nada...zip....no progress at all and 5 days till due date.

Tyson: Likes his new teacher at school. Is loving football and soccer. He has his first Football game this Sunday afternoon and I will be going to watch. He came over with Brad on Friday night and we took a little walk around the block with his little sister. On the way we met up with one of the neighborhood kids who came over to play with him.

Carissa: What a sweetie. She sat on Grandma's lap lots. We took a walk and blew some bubbles and sat in the rocking chair and then had some juice. She has two front teeth now. She is most definitely a Daddy's girl.

New Garage: Contractor came and checked out our site. He will be giving us a quote in a couple of days. In the meantime I am to acquire the building permit.

House: Dirty and Dusty. I think I need to put my house cleaning iron back in the fire...but I do not want to take out my other irons (lifting, running, and blogging). I need to hire a maid. My daughter and I were talking...she hates cooking but loves to clean. I hate cleaning but love to cook. Together we would make one complete woman. I think we should get a thing going where she comes over to clean and then she could stay and I would fix her dinner.....what do you think Girly????

They look like they are having fun

Quote of the day, "Did you put our sign up?" Spoken by Brad in reference to the request he made that we make a sign for holidays and gatherings that says, "Idiots at Play".

A Lingering Feeling of Despair

I really don't know if despair is quite the word that describes my state of mind. Perhaps gloom would be more apt. At any rate I keep telling myself to shake it off and put on a happy face. Maybe I should have gone to spinning class today but I just went to Walmart and came home. So I have half heartedly been working on my house. I look around and think, "What a dump". After we get the garage situation done I think I shall focus all my attention on making my house a haven of peace and tranquility. Okay enough poor sad depressed Kim stuff. My sons came over(James, Brad, and Lucas)as well as my son James's friend Chad (who has been there for all of the clean up!) and finished off the front part of the shed. Those boys worked like horses. I am truely blessed to have the privilege of being their mother. What an awesome young man Chad is to give up his free time to help us in our time of need. Below are some pictures showing the work in progress. They had quite a lot of fun during the demolition. I think my boys take great pleasure in demolition. My daughter, who is nine months pregnant, looked longingly upon the fun. My girl is not a girly girl (but when she dresses up you would never know there is a tomboy lurking within). My girl, like her mother, loves her sledgehammers. So I too looked longingly upon the demolition. But my husband insisted that I not participate and should just take care of the evening meal. Normally I would not have listened to such chauvinistic talk and picked up my sledgehammer but my gloom has robbed me of my normal super duper athena strength so I just watched.

The Patience of Job

My poor poor husband. In the past two weeks my husband has had to endure some pretty serious health issues, a garage fire (totalling our garage) and now plumbing. My kitchen sink was not draining properly (well not at all actually) but I did not want to tell him so while he was outside *suppose to be resting and relaxing* I was plunging like crazy. I was trying to watch for him and trying to plunge so he would not catch me and ask me what was going on. Well we have two doors off the kitchen and while I was watching the one I thought he went out he came in the other. Of course he says "What are doing? What is wrong?" I said, "Oh I just have a little clog and I am fixing it right up." Well it proved not to be a little clog it was a replace the 10 foot long cast iron pipe drain (original plumbing no doubt in a very old house). The replacing involved shimming under the crawl space and ALL the way under the house...shiver shiver...spiders...all sorts of nasties. He had to cut the 10 foot cast iron pipe from two places and then we had to pull it out. While replacing the water pipe the copper water line burst so then he had to FIX that and actually the copper water line was the most physcial and difficult job because he had to do something to the copper that involved a tool and LOTS of brute strength. While he is under the crawl space water is spewing out of the copper water line (despite the water being off) so not only is he crawling around in dirt and bricks but also wet mud. In addition he had to wiggle around lots and lots of wires. Which I am so glad that he shut the power down. So while he was under there he also tacked up some wires that back in the old days they did not feel necessary to have them tacked up (there is another term for it but I don't remember what he told me). It was very very hard work but not one angry word came out of his mouth. Just the fact that he had the worst plumber's helper every (me) should have made him cry out in anger. As plumber' s helper I had to reach in the crawl space but not enter it and hold the light...also bring him tools and such. I also took it upon my myself to offer all sorts of plumbing advice. Which he endured quite nicely. I also had to use a saw zaw to cut a piece of PVC. The saw zaw scares me! I also had to feed in and out the old 10 foot pipe and the new 10 foot pipe. Once my husband did all the stuff downstairs (6 hours mind you and that was AFTER working all day) he went back upstairs and finished the hookup under the kitchen sink. During the upstairs process I was required to hold a 5-6 inch piece of PVS while he saw zawed it by about 2 inches. He said I could hold it or saw. Earlier when I sawed I had no control over the saw and was scared to use it again so I opted for holding. Before he started I begged quite sincerely for him not to lop off my hand with the saw zaw. He said, "Don't you trust your husband?" I told him it was not him I did not trust it was the saw zaw. He said he was born with a saw in his hand and nothing would happen. And obviously by this very lengthy post he did not lop off any part of my hand. Ordinarly he would have gone to the garage and used something out there to hold it....but........
Surely nothing else can happen to this poor man. He is still dreadfully sick and is now down from 173 (less then two weeks ago) to 155. Tonight the boys are coming over to work on the garage and he is FORBIDDEN to do any further work this week. Next week he gets Friday and Monday off and he I am going to chain him to the couch.

Now I feel kinda shallow posting this after all my husband has gone thru but because I am a shallow woman I will... 3 1/2 mile run successful on Thursday...no stopping at all...not even on the hill...however my knees have been talking to me since then...not screaming at me just a nice polite...hey can you take off about another 15 pounds you crazy woman you are killing us.

They Didn't Wait for Me

This is what greeted my when I came home from work. Disappointment filled my soul. I was so looking forward to getting to demolish...now I just get to help carry the crap (after they saw it into sections). My husband says,"Not a job for woman" I say "Pooh to him". Tasha said I did not miss much it just sort of slid down...I guess that makes me feel a little better. My husband said a huge dust cloud arose...sigh....I miss all the fun. They better wait to take the back side down till I get off work or I am gonna be irritated. Though I don't think the back lean to part is going to be nearly as fun as the front part.

Afterthought: The same man that was so concerned about my safety during the demolition is the same man that asked me to hold the ladder while he climbed up with the running chain saw.....

Highest Compliment Ever!

On Saturday I received, what I feel, is the highest compliment every: My husband says, "Kim you worked like a man" Now he did not exactly mean for me to be beaming with pride over that. He feels strongly that a woman should not have been out heaving and carting fire debris. However, as we all know I have a wee bit of testosterone mixed in with my estrogen. I was proud. I said, "Thank you honey" He shakes his head and looks sad. Poor man he will never have a wife that likes to plant flowers and sew....he has a wife that would rather till the field and herd the sheep to make the wool to make the clothes....
I told my husband that God gave me these strong legs for a reason...so that I can work and work...he says God DID NOT GIVE ME THOSE LEGS I MADE THEM......HAHAHAH
I must say I feel like a STRONG STRONG WOMAN....I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!
Man I almost feel like doing the Tarzan thing....except for I am at my office and they might think that is a bit odd.

Fire Update: No arsonist found as of yet. We have emptied 20 years of junk out of the garage and are fairly close to demolition time. I believe my son James (a/k/a Big Daddy) and his friend Chad will be coming over tonight work....and yours truely will be right by their side.
I tell you this has been the hardest physical labor I have EVER done. My Quads are killing me and my 4 1/2 mile run turned into an absolute walk/run because every time I picked up my legs it felt like I was lifting up blocks of cement. It hurts like the dickens when I climb up steps and even worse coming down steps.

Baby Adam: No baby Adam yet. I am counting down the days till August 31. It can't get here soon enough for me.

Melissa: My coworker/kinda relative was in a bad car accident. A gentleman apparently had a seizure and rear ended her. She was at a stop light and he plowed into the back of her going around 35-40 mph. He then continued on down the hill striking several other cars. Her car is totaled and she is stiff and sore but alive! What is worse then hitting an attorney's car? Hitting a attorney's crazy assistant's car!

Carissa: First tooth in and she is starting to slither all over the floor. Pretty soon she will be crawling all over....She loves the cat and she likes to grab Miss Kitty. Ms. Kitty better run fast once Carissa starts crawling. On Saturday she came and watched garage cleanup and she really enjoyed sitting outside in the yard on the blanket. She is a most precious and beautiful baby girl.

Tyson: Started back to school. I can't believe how much he is grown. What a fine young grandson I have. He is smart and funny and very loving. He was 3 years old when we first met him and now he is 8! I still remember the first time I met him. It was Halloween and his mother came by with him. He was getting kinda antsy in the yard while his Mom was talking to Brad (my son/her husband now) and I said to him, "Would you like to go with me and trick or treat a few houses." He said yes and slipped his small hand into mine and he just chattered away the whole time we were walking. I loved him from that moment on.

Exercise: No running this weekend....the weekend was rough and Saturday I did my "Man's work" Sunday I was grumpy, tired, out of sorts and actually not running made it way worse. Monday was Spinning and Power Hour
Tuesday: 4 1/2 mile walk/run and lifting
Tomorrow is up in the air. The pool at the Y is down and the water is like 76 degrees. I don't know if I want to swim in artic water. Perhaps I will attempt a short run????

Well time to go back to work....sigh....I need some vacation time away from this town....just kick back and enjoy myself time.

Burning Down the House

This is what we have been cleaning up. I have never worked so hard in my adult life.

Garage Boot Camp

The scales are going lower!!!! To bad my garage had to burn down to help me lose weight. Cleanup is going well. My poor husband is sad...he is still not smoking...yeah honey! Demolition should begin this next week. Then we will work on getting a new garage put up. We have decided to go with one of the prefab kits....
Update: Teaching Boot Camp...went good..people said I made them sore...I was successfull
Weight: Down 2 more pounds!
Baby Adam: Not here yet...daughter large large large...she thinks baby Adam will never come out.
More later........

pictures

Sorry about typos in post...too tired to change them. I am trying to post pictures and it will not upload my picture. I will try later.

Drama and Trauma in the Extreme

It is early I should be getting ready to go the Y but I need, for my sanity's sake, to write down the events of the last few days. My saga begins on Friday night....

Friday: Came home from work to find my husband on the couch. He says he does not feel well. When I ask what is wrong he just says, "I don't feel good" and then he rolls over. So I am thinking he has the flu or a cold. So I think nothing of it.

Saturday: He arises I look at him and he looks TERRIBLE. I ask him what is wrong. He AGAIN says "I don't feel good". As I am looking at him I see that it is not just a simple case of the flu so I begin to grill the man...is it your stomach, do you have a fever, do you have a headache etc....FINALLY he says no it is my chest. He says his CHEST hurts and it is RADIATING outward and up into his jaw bone and he cannot breathe. Okay those are the signs of a heart attack. So I tell him we need to go to the doctor. I call the doctor and they says GO to the ER. My husband who HATES doctors with a passion passively agreed to go. That in itself scared the crap out of me. We go to the hospital and they to all the heart stuff and determine no heart attack but he does have a ripping case of Carditis. That is an inflamation of the sac that surrounds the heart. It is VERY painful because when the heart beats it now rubs against the sac. In addition because of the inflamation that lungs lose some room so they cannot expand so that you can breathe. If the swelling gets bad enough you cannot breathe at all and I am about 100 percent sure if you can't breathe that you suffacate and die. So they stuck him in the hospital and put him on iv meds (heart meds, morphine....). The one med he was on and still is on is wicked wicked stuff so he has to take another medicine to counteract the symptoms from the heart medicine. On top of that they told him he NEEDS to quit smoking. He is a 1 1/2 pack a day smoker. So they slapped a smokers patch on him and NO more smokes for him. They did send him home with another med to help with the nicotene addiction. So they released him Sunday afternoon around 3:00 ish....NOW for Sunday....

Sunday: After finally getting discharged from the hospital we head home. He is very weak and does not feel very well. He felt better at the hospital because he was just laying around in bed and now moving around did not make him feel well...SO we are home for like 2 hours from the hospital and....SOMEONE ARSONED OUR GARAGE AND IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. Yes that is right 2 hours after we get home my husband is out clutching his chest and trying to put out a very large hot fire. We called 911 but until they got here my husband was valiantly trying to put out the fire, He runs into the house long enough to cut the power to the shed.....all the while holding his chest. I am screaming at him to put the hose down and sit down (while I am calling 911)...he pays me no heed. I am scared because I think he is going to have a heart attack now.....so many flames...so much smoke. Our neighbor Jeremy runs to help us...he is a great neighbor. FINALLY after what seemed 15 minutes (probabaly closer to 5) the fire trucks are here. The fire chief first told us absolutely electrically...my husband says no way...I know my garage and based on that there was still power there is NO WAY it was electrically. The fire inspector came and guess what ARSON and my husband found a bent place in our fence where the arsonist went over. All of my husband's tools lost...along with most of his "guy stuff" fishing poles, reels...etc to much stuff to ever list here. He is sick sick sick with all this and so very upset .....on top of all that it is during his nicotene withdrawl.

So that people was our weekend.....

I did not go to work on Monday and I am not going to make it in till 1:00 today. Yesterday was spent with the insurance adjustor and the verizon guy (cause our phone line ran over the garage and got burnt up). We then starteding pulling charred stuff from the garage and photographing and documenting property damage. They have totaled out my structure and given me policy limits for it...which upon my poor choice is a pittance. I am sure we will take a beating on the property damage as the depreciate everything....I hate to tell them that tools don't depreciate...they are of full value until they break....a table saw is a table saw until it no longer is functioning and for a man in the building trade is just as valuable at 1 year old as it is at 5 or 10. The will give us replacement value but they first start by giving us depreciated value and then when we buy the new one we give them the receipt and supposedly they will give us the difference....it is a hard job documenting damages for my man was man of many tools and he a lifetime supply of nuts and bolts and screws. How do we possible calculate value on a lifetime supply of nuts, nails, screws bolts and washers???and he lost many many sentimental things...how do we value those? I will be calling my agent today to discuss that with him. In addition our GIGANTIC dumpster will be delivered today as we have to do a total teardown of the garage. I also have to get Jerry a followup with the cardiologist and the GP. Also have to do more documentation of damages, call contractors for a new garage etc...so I am going into the Y late ( I know I should not go but I have been eating like a pig from the stress) and then will come home and get those things done...then go to work for a couple of hours then head back home to start loading stuff up in the dumpster.

Please keep my husband in our thoughts as he goes thru this horrible horrible time!

Thank you to my James and Kendra for coming over to sift thru crap with us. My daughter is 9 months pregnant and would NOT stop helping...she says she is fine she is strong as an ox...she was pushing brooms and pickup up crap...I told her NO HEAVY stuff. She insist she knows her limitations and she is not an old lady she is just pregnant.

So more work today!