Back To Work....

Well, the holidays are over...and I have been called back to work. The 2 weeks I was laid off flew by. Other than shopping, preparing for Christmas, I didn't do a whole lot. Some housework and I really slacked off with going to the gym. I only made it for cardio 4 times the entire 2 weeks.

Christmas turned out better than I had hoped, thanks to the generosity of a very dear friend and a nice bonus, believe it or not, from Mr. Burns here at work. My older 2 boys were very understanding about our financial situation...I gave them some money, promised to make it up to them when I get my income tax return in February. So...with that, I was able to provide a decent Christmas for the two younger ones. Now, I just breathe a sigh of relief that the Holiday stress is over, I am back to work (still have not got that first unemployment check), so the money will start coming in again, get my bills caught up and get my lazy butt back into the gym.

I have been batteling a serious throat condition for the past few weeks, and hubby finally hauled my complaining butt to the doctor last night....may be strep throat...in the meantime, while I wait on the labs, he has given me 2 different medications to take...already feeling better.

So...guess that's it...anyone have big plans for New Year's Eve? Not us...we have Max, so I am going to make it a special New Year's Eve for him.

Wishing you all the best this upcoming year.

Dixiechick

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Devastated.....

Just wanted to put a quick post...I was laid off from my job last Friday afternoon..I am devastated...did not see it coming at all. Went to lunch on Friday, came back and was told later that afternoon. Effective immediately. I have spent the weekend in tears. 2 weeks before Christmas!!! Who the hell does that? I was counting on those checks to buy my kids Christmas...now, well...there will be no Christmas for them. I hope that whomever, whatever piece of shit executive that made this decision can enjoy his Christmas though, along with his big fat bonus that laying off front line employees, the little people, brings him. I hope that he didn't have to tell his children, like I did my seven year old, that there is no Santa.....why did I have to tell him? Well..when he sees you crying over your job, over no money coming in for Christmas, bills, etc....and then he tells you in his innocence that "that's ok Mommy, Santa can bring it"...well, it is fact now that Santa can not...I have never in my 20 years of being a Mother felt like such a failure, like such a worthless piece of shit....not only do I lose my job, but my health insurance as well. This blows...I know I am not the only one that has had to endure this during this recession...I thought things were better. Hell, my company just told us during a meeting a few weeks ago how much more we have profited this year over last year, blah..blah...blah.....It really sucks to be the little man on the totem pole, that is for sure.
I will be called back, I was told...after January 3rd...but, that doesn't help me now. My family is a paycheck to paycheck family. We have a hard time getting ahead. One missed paycheck sets us back. Hubby has been working overtime to try and get us a little ahead to be able to buy Christmas for the boys. Now, that money can't be used as I will have no pay for the next few weeks, until I get my unemployment. Hopefully that will start rather quickly. I don't know....Never been laid off before.
I have to go into the office today..to fill out my "termination-due to seasonal lay off papers"....things are going to be so screwed up with me not being there. No one knows anything about how to do my job, accounts receivable, billing, reports, etc....when I do come back, I fear I am going to have one heck of a mess on my hands. OH, well...not really my problem at this point. They will just have to figure it out...
I doubt I will post again for some time...I am pretty depressed and this Christmas is going to be a sad one...My older two boys are really understanding, and told me to just focus on their little brothers...shit, I don't even have the money to do that.
So, anyway....for those few of you that still read my blog, I wish the best for you and your families this holiday.

In Case anyone Cares....I am taking a break!

Since it has been over a week since I have posted, might as well continue the hiatus. I really don't have a lot to say. Very busy at work, with the Holidays, and my family. Plus, I have been rather ill. My workouts over the past two weeks have been almost nonexistent and I don't really have a lot to say about why. Just have not been feeling it.

I did take the spin class last week, and...it kicked my butt! But..I did like it very much and as soon as I am feeling better, I plan on taking another one.

For right now though....I am going to go on a "blogging hiatus"....

See you after the New Year...(unless some ground breaking news happens).....

Dixiechick...out.

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Say A Prayer For Me......

As I am leaving work in a few to go try out a new gym in my area...I have never taken a group class before..so, I am going to take this class:

Yeah, my first spin class...wish me luck!

Food coma....do you still have one?

Well, here we are...the Monday after Thanksgiving....and I am still feeling sluggish and out of sorts. I had 4 lovely days off with my family and coming back to work afterwards...it is hard!

Know what else is hard...hard to believe that Christmas is only 26 days away! I have not put up my tree or started shopping. Hosting and cooking Thanksgiving totally kicked my bootie...I need a week or so to recover.

Anyway...as I said, I cooked a huge Thanksgiving dinner. My turkey turned out to be the best one I have ever cooked! It was amazing...check it out:




That isn't even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of food we had. I sent a lot home with my two older boys and the in-laws, but we continued to eat it into the weekend. It is all gone as of today.
It was wonderful having all four of my sons with me for turkey day...the only downside was that I was so busy cooking/cleaning, I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them.

Some Thanksgiving day pictures:

Tim..my oldest...isn't he quite the handsome man? I sure don't get to see him that much, each time I do, it amazes me how grown up he has become.


Justin...the picture is kind of blurry...my camera sucks..but, man, he doesn't get a homecooked meal like this very often, so he was in heaven....lol. Yes, he is very handsome too! I am so proud of what a wonderful young man he has become!


The Mother-in-law and Max...poor mominlaw...she looks like a deer caught in the headlights...I am terrible at taking pictures...or it may just be the camera.

Anyway, I got distracted and didn't get anymore photos..of Aaron, nor a decent one of hubby and his Dad...I hate that!

Anyway, we all had a wonderful day and I had a wonderful and relaxing weekend with the family...

The only other downside of the entire holiday...I gained 5 freaking lbs...seriously. I woke up Weds, at my normal weight and by Saturday morning, I was up 5 lbs. I did go to the gym for an hour of cardio Friday night and then again on Saturday for 2 hours. Along with healthy eating for the rest of the weekend, I managed to lose 4 of the 5 lbs I gained by this morning.
This holiday weight gain stuff is no joke. It's all good though. You mess up, get right back on the wagon and don't let one holiday dinner/weekend make you want to throw in the entire towel.

I am going for my first spin class tonight. I heard they kick ass! So, wish me luck...

Hope all of you had as wonderful a holiday as my family and I did.

It May be Monday....

But it is a short work week! So, whoo hoo! Here is to only working 3 days this week!

So, how was everyone's weekend? Mine, well..rather uneventful I must say. I worked out Friday night. I managed to run 4.5 miles and my leg only smarted a little bit. I then did a full upper body workout and abs, called it a night and got the heck out of there..I mean, 2 plus hours of working out, on a Friday...more than enough! I stopped and picked up my after work-out salad from Chick fil A....it was a madhouse. Seriously, you would have thought that was the only place to get food on a Friday night in this town. I order the Chargrilled Southwest Salad,every time..most of the people that work in there know me and before I have never had a problem. It was so chaotic in there, I of course got my order mixed up. The girl that took my order heard chargrilled only and therefore gave me the wrong salad. So, again, I had to wait and wait to get the correct. For that snafu..they ended up giving me both salads for the price of one. Score!
Afterwards, I had to stop by WalGreens for some make-up and toiletries...didn't want to be bothered with that task but if I wanted to wash off the stink, had to get some body wash...
After Walgreens, I zipped toward home..but not before I made a quick stop at the liquor store for some of my favorite wine.
Once home, I showered and ate, then relaxed with a Netflix movie, since hubby had to go to work. I watched this:

I really enjoyed it! This was the second Meryl Streep movie I have seen this month that totally held my attention. Usually, I can almost always be counted upon to fall asleep before a movie is over. But this one, it was good. I love to cook too, so it was really interesting to watch. I would recommend this movie if you haven't ever seen it. Maybe to watch with a girlfriend, other foodie or by yourself. Your hubby or significant other might not care for it.
After the movie, I went to bed and didn't sleep so soundly. Must have been the wine.
Saturday...had a hard time getting motivated. Lazed around with some magazines and coffee for most of the morning..then finally showered and dressed and went to get myself a pedicure. Also had to stop by Walmart for an exchange. I loathe that store. It is always crowded and you can never have a quick check out. Anyway, after that I headed home to pick up the hubby and we came back into town again for a late lunch. Then some shopping at the mall. I have a pair of jeans on layway at the Buckle and I had to make my payment on those, while there, I scored a couple of cute long sleeve t-shirts from Wet Seal.
We came home to relax for awhile, before dressing and heading to Indianapolis to meet a friend. It was a pretty boring time and I was so grateful to leave and get home.

Before I knew it, Sunday was upon us! I wanted to get to the gym, but I piddled around the house too long (planning Thanksgiving menu and making a grocery list) and we found ourselves almost out of time. Hubby had to leave soon to get the little boys at his Mother's and I needed to go to the grocery. I had made my list for dinner that night as well as Thanksgiving and I just wanted to get it over with. Hubby went with me and 30 minutes later we were done and headed back home.

I now have my Turkey defrosting in the fridge and half of my list completed. I will have to go back to the store Tuesday evening to finish it out, then let the cooking for the feast of 2010 commence. I am not looking forward to all the work. I am making my coconut cake tonight. Tomorrow evening I wont' have the chance to cook, as I have to take Max to the doctor after work, then to the store to finish up. So, Wednesday evening, after I get off of work, you will find little ol' Dixie cooking and baking her heart out. I won't be able to stop until dinner is on the table Thursday afternoon.
With being so busy, I will not have a chance to go to the gym, except for tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I so wish I could be a stay at home Mom....it is quite overwhelming to have all of this to do and have to work on top of it. I am starting to feel the pressure and I don't like it. Oh, well...it is only once a year and I am thankful that I am able to cook this meal and for my family.

Love to you all and hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family and friends...


(Just make sure you pick the right bird...lol)

TGIF

"Running! If there's any activity happier, more exhilarating, more nourishing to the imagination, I can't think of what it might be. In running the mind flees with the body, the mysterious efflorescence of language seems to pulse in the brain, in rhythm with our feet and the swinging of our arms."
— Joyce Carol Oates

A quote I just read from Fitsugar, which for me..can not be more true...gosh, I sure do miss running! My mileage for this month has really sucked. I have only ran 16.5 miles for the entire month of November. I ran 4 miles on Monday and have not been able to run since. Hopefully, since I plan on going to the gym tonight, I may be be able to eek out a few miles. If not, me and my arch nemesis...the eliptical, will have to go head to head..got to get that cardio in somehow.

No big plans for the weekend. Hubby has to work tonight, the kids are going to be gone....so, after the gym, I plan on picking up a salad for dinner, grabbing a bottle of vampire wine and hitting up redbox for a movie. Then home to veg out for the evening.

As far as the rest of the weekend, no big plans. Hubby and I may go out tomorrow night for dinner and then to a club or something. I have to go get a pedicure Saturday morning, then to the gym again (I hope)...and sometime over the weekend, I have to fit in some shopping for Thanksgiving dinner...which I am hosting and cooking this year. Which reminds me, I need to take inventory of my fridge and pantry and clean out both in preparation. I am looking forward very much to having the entire family together. Meaning, me and hubby, my four boys and the in-laws. My Mother and Brother will not make it up. I figured they wouldn't. My brother and I had a big argument over the phone a couple nights ago. He really said some horrible things and hurt my feelings really bad. He is going through a divorce and is taking out his misery on me, Mom and his girls. I wish I could help him, but I just don't know what to do. I have tried to give him advice ( I have been through 2 terrible divorces myself-so I know what I'm talking about), but he won't listen. Anyway, it is what it is and I can't do anything about it.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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Waiting...To Exhale....

It has been that kind of week...hence the lengthy abscense from my blog. I am hanging by a thread...waiting for the weekend...so I can "exhale"....I really don't know where to start...not a lot to talk about.

So, I will just cover everything (what little there is in bullets)....

.....I got a stove..finally! Thanks to the first ex-husband, Mike...was not in too good of shape when I first got it, but it was free, he delivered it...and with a couple hours of elbow grease and a good cleaning, it looks like new. I was able to make cookies for my boys and last Sunday, make thier favorite dinner..lemon chicken. Yum!

.....On the exercise front, last week, worked out only three times...only one time n the gym. Ran a total of 12.5 miles for the week. This week, I have only ran 4 miles. Been to the gym twice. Going again tonight. Still having a love/hate relationship with my leg...the whole me, my leg and running thing? It is a menage a' trois that is not working out. I am loving them both, but my leg hates the running thing and the running thing hates my leg....I am torn between the two. Sucks! So, last night, was cardio on the eliptical and stationary bike. Of course, I hate every flippin' second of it.

.....Freaking holidays! They are a coming...I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I will have all four of my boys together. Now that I have a stove, I am cooking the "feast"....not looking forward to all the work, but still...very excited. My brother mentioned the possibility of driving up, with my Mom, from S.C. for Thanksgiving. That would be awesome. But..his funds are limited, which I understand, since he is going through a divorce...they suck you dry. So, as far as the visit goes...I will believe it when I see it. Would be pretty awesome though. As far as Christmas goes...bah humbug..not a fan! Just don't enjoy it. Again, just has to do with money. Need a lot, and I don't have any. Sucks to be my bank account. LOL...Haven't even started any shopping, probably won't until the last couple of weeks before.

.....Well, that's about it...hope you all enjoy your Wednesday....the weekend is almost here! Yay!

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Happy Monday...although it be late in the day!

Love this picture...kind of how I have felt all day long! How was everyone's weekend?

Mine..well, pretty boring actually.

This was the highlight of my Friday night...I am a HUGE...HUGE...TruBlood fan...and let me tell you what..when I found this wine..I was like a kid in a candy store..or, um...a liquor store...lol.

It is without a doubt, the best Pinot Noir I have ever had....if you like red wine, not sweet, but not overly dry...you must try this! It was awesome!
The other highlight, was spending some one on time with my little guy, Max....after hubby went to work, we cuddled up in bed, me with my glass of vampire wine and him with his glass of cranberry juice and watched this cute little flick:

We also snacked on popcorn and apples with peanut butter. He was too cute. Telling me over and over how happy he was we were "by ourselves"....it's not very often he gets to have one or both parents to hisself.
I just can't resist his cute little "mug"...

After the movie, we brushed our teeth and I tucked him into bed. And, for a Friday night, I went to bed rather early myself.
Saturday, I spent hours cleaning. I felt sort of like this..

It is no secret that I loathe cleaning the house. But..the hubby and I have a deal..he does the laundry, helps out with the kids and cooks on my gym nights...major cleaning, well..that falls in my lap. Hubby could care less...while I am cleaning, he is the one saying, "Aw, hun...it looks good enough, you have been cleaning for 15 minutes...enough is enough"...yeah, he thinks the dust bunny magically cleans up after itself...lol. So, after several hours of cleaning (must give kudos to the hubby-he did scrub the shower for me-Thanks babe!), I finally showered, with the intention of going to the gym..yes, I shower and put on makeup to go to the gym..I am an original southern belle...let me tell you. But, the brother-in-law stopped by to take a look at our broke oven...the Mother-in-law insisted on him checking it out, even though we paid $60 to a professional from Sears to look at, they told us it would cost several hundred dollars to replace the computer board inside it (electronic start oven)...the brother-in-law basically agreed with the Sears repairman...Go figure! But, at least the Mother-in-law was satisfied we had done all we could do. We did find an outlet for an electric stove behind there. There was no electricity to it, but we are going to get it fixed. The ex husband number one just bought his wife a new confection oven, so he has a like new electric stove he is going to give us for free...so, yay! I may be able to cook a Thanksgiving turkey after all! Hopefully, that little project will be taken care of soon. I am really tired of not having an oven. It has been 9 months!
So, the in laws were at our house for most of the afternoon, when they finally left..well, needless to say, the idea of me and the gym? Well, it wasn't going to happen. I pledged to go on Sunday and instead went to Blockbuster and to pick up take-out from Texas Roadhouse. Yum...roadkill and baked sweet potato..probably not the best thing for my ass, but, oh well....it was awesome! The remainder of Saturday night was spent vegging out in front of the t.v....and again, in bed rather early.
Sunday, I spent a lot of my morning on the computer (after fixing breakfast) trying to find info on the NYC Marathon....I so hope to one day be able to add a race such as that to my list of things to accomplish before I kick the bucket! Anyway, couldn't find a free site to watch it on, so I got dressed and hauled my limp legged butt to the gym. Still having a little leg pain, so I did 30 min on the eliptical, 15 minutes on the bike...I hopped on the treadmill to get a 15 minute walk in and to finally catch a recap of the NYC marathon....and tentatively, started to jog...I managed to get in a slow 2 mile run, before calling it quits. My leg felt really good! So, I am a little nervous and anxious..I want to run again so bad, but I don't want to cause any futher damage to my leg. This sucks! Leg...I hate you! Please stop playing with my emotions.
So, another Monday...almost in the bag. It has been a long, slow, but yet rather pleasant day...Mr. Burn's has been M.I.A. all day long. So...made Monday a little more bearable.
I am not going to the gym after work tonight. It is "family night"...so, hubby is preparing dinner for me. It really is a beautiful day out..probably our last week of good weather before the harsh mid-west winter begins to kick in...right now is sunny, no wind and 67 degrees. What I wouldn't give to go for a run. Hubby has put his foot down though, insisted I give my leg "More time" to heal...huumppph! Maybe I can convince him to let me go for a "walk"...yeah, a walk. At a very very fast pace. LOL..

Hope you all have a fab week!

New York City Marathon...

Good luck to all the elite runners running the New York City Marathon today. Weather you are at the top with 2 hours or come in at 5 hours, it takes a dedicated and special person to be able to run a Marathon. I only dream about being able to one day take part in such a spectacular event!

A Break From Running....

As much as I hate it, I have not been able to run at all since my 10k last Saturday. I mentioned that I had a possible shin splint on my right leg...at the time, it hurt, but I thought it was manageable. I think, after running my 10k, I only made it worse. I have not been able to run all week. I absolutely hate it! I have only been to the gym once this week. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes on the stationary bike....and I hated every freaking minute of it! As I was on the elliptical, one of the guys from the gym I know, hopped onto the one next to me and looked at me and pointed at the treadmill in front of me....I frowned, pointed to my leg and just got more irritated. I love, love, love to run...and as I was on that elliptical, I couldn't help but give the evil eye to the other runners running happily on the treadmills. I was jealous and I was angry. I hated that entire workout. I don't like walking on the treadmill..as that only aggravates me that I can't be running on it.
I took last night off from the gym, to stay home with the family and cook them dinner for a change. I made a huge pot of chili and it was so, so yummy. I ate my fair share. A long with a couple glasses of Malbec...(yeah, I don't usually drink during the week-but you try putting up with "MR. Burns" like I have to all day long at the office, you would be drinking mid week too)..... So, even though the weather outside is cold and gloomy, and I am so very tired....and I loathe the other cardio machines at the gym....I am dragging my lazy butt to the gym after work. For another elliptical session and bike ride. Then abs and leg work. 2 hours and hopefully that will help put a dent in my bad eating from last night.
I can't work out Friday either....as at lunch time, I have important errands to run, then after work, I have to drive my 11 year old to meet his Dad for the weekend..which is an hour and a half round trip. Hubby has to go to work, so he will need the car. Max is staying with us this weekend. He is getting really burned out on going to Grandma's every weekend, I can't blame him...I need to spend some one on one time with my little boy...he is really looking forward to it as well. We don't get the chance very often to focus solely on just one child. He is already planning on sleeping in his brothers "big" bed, watching movies and having the x-box all to his little self. Wish that was all I had to worry about. LOL....
Anyway, this cartoon pretty much sums up how I feel about the cardio machines at the gym...among other things. LOL...


Hang in there my peeps....it's almost Friday!

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Eating Some Humble Pie....

I am sitting here tonight, with tears in my eyes......A couple post ago, I spoke about my 10k, how upset I was over the outcome of it. I did state I didn't find the church or the people of the church at fault for how messed up things got...I really didn't....anyway, as I said, I just got an unexpected visitor...the couple responsible for the organization of the race, Tennille and her companion (husband?), just knocked on my door, with my race medal and a dozen red roses...I am speechless. That someone would be so kind, as to go out of their way, to do something like that for me..well, it makes me feel bad that I thought so negatively about the race. It really lifted me up and made my night.
I would love to take a picture and show you..my few little readers, but I lost my camera tonight. I also found out today that I didn't come in first place like I thought I did. There was another female runner, 41 years old that came in before me by a few minutes. So, even though I didn't get first place....I am in just as good a place, even with second. Since the race times were so off, it was hard to tell the day of the race. I was certain the woman in front of me was much older than I, but she wasn't...and that's ok. She did her best as I did mine. I am proud of where I came in and now, even more so....Tennille, if you found my blog, that is how you found me, then thank you! From the bottom of my heart! You are a special person to do what you did and I know that organizing and being in charge of that race was a huge responsibility...just know that I thought you did an amazing job! What happened was in no way your fault.
You humbled me and restored my faith that there are still good people in this world. God bless you Tennille! I will be there to run that race again next year.

Happy Monday...and race results....

Well, here we are...Monday again. Why is it that the weekends go by so very quickly and the work weeks go by at a snails pace? Mmmpphhh! After the race on Saturday....I relaxed for awhile, worked on calming myself down on the race let down. Then showered, dressed and hubby took me out for an early dinner. We stopped by the grocery and then the liquor store, came home, drank some wine and watched The Omen....I ended up falling asleep before it was over. We ended up in bed around midnight. Big Halloween partiers we are. LOL

Sunday, slept in till around 9 a.m., got up drank some coffee and just chilled for awhile. Then, did about an hours worth of housework, got dressed and we went out to eat again. Nothing specatuclar..just a local brewery here in Lafayette, then came home and laid around on the couch...we had a few trick or treaters...around a dozen or so I guess. By 8 p.m., the porch light was off and we turned off the lights in the living room. Watched a little t.v. and I was in bed by 10 pm.

I checked the race results online today and they were posted. Along with an apology from the church that organized the race. My medal definitely should be coming in the mail. If it doesn't hubby said he is still going to have one made for me, because I deserved something for the great job I did and for running the race. He is so sweet!
Here are a couple pictures of the race. Hubby doesn't like to use my camera, so there really isn't any good shots.


(Totally a terrible pic-so not my best side!)Me before the race...Man was it windy out..and freaking cold! I was still really sleepy and actually, dreading the race because of the cold.


(Click to make larger)...Mile 4...35 minutes into the race. This was after I took a GuGel....it kicked in right away! I started to warm up and was actually feeling pretty good at this point.

I am looking forward to running my next race. It probably won't be this one...or one this year. I don't like the cold....so, I am already looking forward to next Spring. Who knows, maybe I will run the Indy Mini-Marathon...

5 k done...10 k done...that is next in line. 13.1 miles here I come!

Have a great week everyone!

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My first 10 k run....

Finished my 10k...55 min 23 sec. Ticked off though. The timing chip for some people was all messed up and they didn't get my time documented in the computer system. Guess the timing company they hired had a computer mess up with the timing chips. I am steaming mad! I finished 1st in my age division...they totally skipped women over 25 to 49 and went right to 50 and over. They are supposed to be fixing it and posting results but I am so disappointed. I p r'd and people slower than me got a medal. Heck, the geriatric runners/walkers, that walked the 5 k portion in over an one hour got a medal. I was so dissapointed and after running my personal best, waiting around for over an hour to get my just recognition....I leave with nothing. I came out to the car crying, because the dissapointment I felt was tremendous. Hubby was ticked too and went back into the building and gave them what for over it..guess my metal is supposed to come in the "mail"...when they get the snafu fixed. It was a messed up race! I don't blame the church, or the people at the church. It was totally the timing company's fault. The overall race was very organized. But, I am sure some people think it is no big deal, especially those that did not run...but for a runner like me, that puts her heart and soul into every run, to have your first 10 k, with a personal record, botched so bad..well, there just are no words to describe how unhappy I am. Even though I know I achieved my personal best and should be very proud, having this snafu happen kind of took the happiness away. Either way, it is what it is. I won't be running this race again.
Have any of you ever ran a chip-timed race and have this happen?
I would like to know. Go figure, any time something happens like that, it usually happens to me.
Anyway, here are my splits;
Mile 1-Mile 3, 27 minutes.
Mile 4-8 minutes
Mile 5 9 minutes
Mile 6 9 min 30 sec
.2 miles-2 min 23 sec.
At least I feel that is about where it was. Hubby stayed with me, following me throughout the course, kept me informed of my time. So, although those splits are "estimated"..they are pretty darn close.

Hope you have a good weekend!

Happy Friday and my first 10 K run

Well, finally...it is Friday. I am so glad. It has been a tough, busy week. I am looking forward to the end of the day and spending the evening with my wonderful husband. The kids are gone for the weekend. It is their Fall break from school and Aaron's dad wanted him, it's his Halloween, and Aaron wants to go trick-or-treating with his cousins. Max went to Grandma's house for 4 day break as well. She took him trick-or-treating last weekend at the neighbors, so not sure if she is going to take him again this weekend. For his sake I hope so. I am going to miss taking part in that with them this year. I hope they take pictures for me. Anyway, it will be nice to relax with the husband.

Tomorrow morning, I am running my first ever 10k run...I have run that distance many times on my own runs, so it's not the distance I am concerned with. But...the shin splint I have on my right leg. I ran 4.8 miles yesterday and the last couple of miles, it just about killed me. I have been taking ibuprofen...I have new shoes, that seem to be working out really well...so, hopefully I can complete the race tomorrow.
I am not looking forward to the chilly morning either. I hate the cold! I hate running in the cold! I am not that hardcore of a runner. Love running outside, but not in weather that is excessively hot or cold. Oh, well..I didn't think about the temp when I signed up for this race, so I am just going to have to grin and bear it.
Hubby is going to "station" himself about every mile for me, with extra water, motivation, picture taking what have you...lol. At mile 3 I plan on taking a gu gel or something, hopefully that will help my muscle recovery a little bit.
I am not shooting for a record breaking time. The last 10k I run on the treadmill, I ran it in 58 min 25 seconds...that was without an aggravated shin splint. So, I am just hoping to complete this real 10k in around 1 hr 5 minutes. Just in case I have to stop and walk.

Wish me luck! Hope all of you have a safe and fun Halloween weekend!

Stress....Level....High.....

Well...I have one specific person in mind I would like to choke...but, that person is not worth the effort..plus, I would lose my job. Probably go to jail...and I don't want that.

Anyway, reason fro being M.I.A. lately? Life...work, family, etc....I am seriously working my little fanny off lately. It is my busiest time, add in a manager that can't do a thing without me holding his hand and my stress level is seriously through the roof. I have not worked out in 4 damn days.....the hubby and I went away for the weekend, and were seriously on the go the entire weekend. Not a chance to squeeze in any activity...can't really run because all of last week, I ran in broken down running shoes, that seriously needed replaced, therefore I aggravated the hell out of my right leg...serious shin splints. So, I took 4 days off from running...and work has got me so worn out, that the past 2 days, the gym is the last place I want to be.

Which sucks...because I have a 10 k to run this upcoming Saturday morning....I am kind of worried as to how I will do. So, I have new shoes, and I plan to take them for their first spin on the treadmill tonight. I am shooting for a 4 miler tonight, 5 miler tomorrow, rest on Friday then my 6.2 mile 10k on Saturday.

Wish me luck! In everything!

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Goal Reached...should I aim higher?

At the start of this year...I set a pretty lofty goal for myself...to run 700 miles in a year. Well, as of this past Sunday...I met and exceeded that goal.

I have ran a total of 701.8 miles and I am only midway though October with 2 months left in this year.

So, I am changing my goal...although it is harder to get runs in during the winter, I am shooting for 850 miles. It may be a little far fetched, but I think I can do it.
If I can get a 12 miler in once in October, November and December, then I know I can, if not reaching 900 miles. How awesome would that be?

Wish me luck!

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Karma...I am a strong believer....

I have always lived my life, with the philosophy, "What goes around, comes around"....what you give out will come back to you ten-fold. I have been through a lot in my life...I have had my fair share of injustice, many "woe-is-me" moments....I have been through 2 divorces and truly experienced hell on earth. My first marriage, was to a man much, much older than me...I married young, at 19..had babies right away, and lost my true identity, as pretty much everything revolved around this man...his job, his sports, his friends...I was 700 miles away from home, no family, no friends...then one day, I got a job, made friends and discovered, just like Reba in her video "is there life out there", that yes ,indeed there was life out there...and I realized I had fallen out of love with my husband, and I couldn't be in a one sided marriage any longer...so, I asked for divorce, and after a fight for my life for my kids (he put me through a year long custody battle), I came out victorious with custody of my two boys.

Then, I fell into the trap of feeling like I needed another man in my life...and through mutual friends, met husband number two. Husband number two turned out to be a wolf in sheep clothing...went from working a high paying job, to jobless, with a drug addiction and a penchant for taking out all of his frustrations on me..with his fists...and on my boys...I ended up pregnant with my third child and saw no way out...He didn't work for two years, I was the soul provider, did all the household chores, raising the children, everything...all the while daily taking his verbal, mental and physical abuse...eventually, after 5 years of enduring his abuse, which led to his subsequent arrest...I finally saw the light and got out! Thank God I did....that divorce was brutal too...I lost my house, lost my car and just about took my life....Thank God for my children, as they were what kept me going.

While going through that divorce, I met the love of my life..my knight in shining armour..my current husband...of 8 wonderful years....he literally saved me...he found me, I believe through Karma...and literally lifted me up, saved me from my despair and showed me what true love really is.

He too made a lot of bad choices in his life...settling for a woman older than him, not happy...we both believe that we had to go through all the hardships we went through in order for the stars to align and lead us to one another....

I have never been happier...sure, we have our fair share of arguments as any couple will...but at the end of the day, we always settle and work things out. I love him more than any mere words can say. The only unhappiness we ever have in our lives are financial...

Due to divorce, on both of our sides...we have spent many years trying to financially get on our feet. I get no child support from ex number 2, but my husband takes care of his step-son, and our son together...treating them both equally and with love. He is a hard worker and a good provider...we do without a lot..heck, I have no stove and haven't had one for almost this entire year....but, we make it work...slowly paying our bills down, so that we can get a stove, but pay cash for it. We do not use credit....it has killed us in the past...so, we struggle...

A few weeks ago, I got a phone call from Ex-husband number 1, just retired from a high paying job with the government...unbeknownst to me...as his wife of 8 years, thanks to a crafty divorce attorney, I was entitled to a percentage of his retirement....he called me to let me know this. We are on good terms, friends and have a good "divorced" relationship...He said I should be expecting to get a check for quite a large sum of money...he wasn't very happy about it...and you know what, I didn't hesitate at all, not once to tell him, that money is not mine...that it wasn't right and would not be right for me to take it. He was very grateful. I felt our friendship, the relationship we have with each other and our kids was way to valuable to tarnish over money...so, we went to an attorney, and had it changed. 2 checks were already on their way to me. So, I agreed to sign them over and give them back to him.
All the while knowing how much that money would help my immediate family. Wednesday, I got the first huge check. Holding it in my hand, I couldn't help but think...man, this is a new stove, plenty of food to fill my cupboards, clothes for my kids, Christmas, etc...so, I put it in the bank, then turned around and wrote a check to the husband for the exact amount, of which I will give him tomorrow when I pick up our son...

Now, back to the Karma thing....as I said, we could have used that money so much...and by law, I was entitled to it...but, because I did the right thing, what my heart told me I should do...Karma paid me back.

Our local radio station has been hosting a contest...called "Show me the money"...anytime you hear that phrase, you call in, be caller number 9, you have your name entered for a chance to win $500...I have been trying for weeks..and last night, on my way home from the gym, I started calling...after 4 busy signals, I just about gave up, but thought...nope, one more time...I am calling once more..and I be darned, if I wasn't caller number 9...as the D.J. was congratulating me, telling me my name had been entered for the drawing to be held on Friday morning(this morning) and I had won a gift certificate just for being the correct caller, for a massage, then he told me to hold on, so he could get my information...as I was holding, my cell phone went dead...I was freaking out...I was a mile from home, so I zoomed home, ran in the house, grabbed the phone and called the station back. The D.J. laughed, when I told him my cell phone had died, assured me it was good, took my info, told me to be listening Friday morning for the name of the winner in the drawing.

Hubby joked with me when I told him, told me there was no chance I would win...I told him he was wrong...I just had this feeling. This morning, I brought a radio to work, had it right by my desk..at 8 45 a.m...the D.J started the drawing, and lo and behold, he called my name! I sat there for a second in shocked silence...then realized I had only seconds to call back...I was shaking....I couldn't believe that I had just won $500...it took forever for the D.J. to answer the phone...but, he confimed my idenity and the $500 is mine. $500 is no where near the amount of the check I gave back to the ex..but, beggars can't be choosers..that was the amount that I was intended to have...and I am oh so grateful. It will really help with our bills and maybe an extra little treat for the two little ones..

So, see..back to karma...what goes around comes around...do the right thing and eventually, you will reap your just rewards...weather they be a monetary financial windfall or finally meeting that soul mate that you are entitled to...

Have a good weekend everyone!

Tap...Tap...Tap...Is this thing on????

Hello (echo, echo, echo), Hello (echo, echo, echo)...lol.

Excuse me while I knock some of these cob webs down....


Wow...another week gone by? At this rate, I am going to wake up and find out I am 95 years old or something...geez....


I am so busy, time seems to be getting away from me....I am still reading all of my favorite blogs, just not a lot to write about regarding my life...all of you other bloggers out there put me to shame...so interesting, so insightful...love you all!!

For those few of you that are still in the audience...I will fill you in on my past week or so.

Monday-Friday-work from 8 till 5......busy time of the year, so that is a good thing...the days go by pretty fast.

Evenings after work-hi, ho...hi, ho...it's off to the gym I go....My weight lifting has been down, but my running has went up...I am averaging a little over 20 miles a week....should close in to that 700 plus miles for the year...no doubt in my mind. That feeling of accomplishment is awesome.

Last weekend, the kiddos were gone and the hubby and I had a friend visit...he drove in from out of town, so we hung out and went to a red neck bar on Friday night, which was awesome....always fun to people watch at those type of establishments....especially the drunker people get...lol..plus, live band and they weren't too bad..but, for the life of me...don't really remember there name...oh, well.
Saturday, we picked our friend up for lunch and afterwards we went back to his hotel to swim, sit out on the patio and drink some wine...(for me), beer for the men...well, for our friend..as hubby doesn't really drink...we weren't supposed to have drinks or food out near the pool, but no one else was around, so our buddy snuck some stuff down from his room..the temps outside were awesome, so we lounged around for awhile, drinking and telling funny "life" stories....then we left to go home for awhile, as we had more plans for later that evening. We rested for awhile, then dressed and drove back into town to pick up our friend and then headed to Indianapolis to go to a club there. The club we went to is a mixed crowd of people..from straight to gay, and I must say it is the most fun club around...very techno, cooly decorated and the dance floor was hopping...we had such an awesome time...sad to see the night end...but, at around 3 a.m. Sunday morning, I was finally home and in bed...even though I was dead tired the next day, I still managed to get a 4 mile run in..probably the last hot day we are going to have for the year.
Then I spent my afternoon, having a nice leisurely lunch with hubby at Applebee's and then came home and spent 4 hours cleaning house, while the hubby did the 2 hour turn around drive to pick up the kiddos.

Now, here we are..almost at the end of this week....tomorrow is Friday and I have no major plans for this weekend. I was sick Monday evening and called of work on Tuesday, so I didn't work out either day...ran 4.6 miles last night and I plan on some gym time tonight...another 4 miler...and some leg and ab work. Got to get some strength training in on my legs..because...I have signed up for a 10k run on October 30th....I am super excited, but very scared....I have been having a lot of trouble on my runs lately....feeling tired/sluggish, ankles weak, shins hurt, knees hurt, hips hurt, butt hurts...not sure what is going on...but running 5 miles or more is becoming extremely hard..maybe it's because I'm 40 now, you think? Anyway...I have to get my butt in gear...I would love to work on my speed over the next couple of weeks, try to finish this 10k in around 1 hr 5 minutes...at worst...1 hr 15 minutes...(that would be with some walking)....and I don't want to walk..at all...although, there is nothing wrong with that if you need to.

I have to pick up the 16 year old this weekend...not sure if any of you remember from previous posts, but a little over a month ago, he got a concussion while playing football (he plays center and defensive tackle), so it was pretty serious..he is recovering ok, but no football for the rest of the season..even though he isn't playing, he still has to go to practice and to the games..so, looks like I may not be picking him up until Saturday morning, which throws off my entire weekend...I would rather get him tomorrow night, freeing up my Saturday to not have to do the 2 hour drive....but, that is probably what I will have to do.
I also want to get in a 6 mile run Saturday and a weights sesh as the gym...the little kids want to go to Exploration Acres (see link):

http://www.explorationacres.com/

They have corn mazes, hay rides, pumpkin picking, a corn shooting cannon, all kinds of good fall fun, so we may do that Saturday evening...if we do, I will be sure to take pictures...

Have a great rest of the week everyone and a terrific weekend! Go out and celebrate fall...it is finally here!

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