Mountain Lion Run

I said I wasn't going to blog today, but Laurie and I had an awesome run. It was great to get our frustrations out there. Woot, woot!! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, this is why I love running. We talked the whole way. We also went faster because I was a little frustrated. Funny how angry propels me towards the kitchen to eat food, and it propels me forward in a run. I should get good and angry before a race. Could you imagine how fast I would complete it in??

I hope this is a start to a great weekend!!

Happy Trails!!

No Stress for Me

Yeah right!! I have a ton of stress going on right now. :o) I am working at not eating my stress away. I thought I was over that concept, but I guess not. I would proudly say that I stopped eating when I was full. I am glad that I am starting to get into tune with my body. HHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMM, what tune would I be?? I am going to have to ponder this thought.

We are heading to Disneyland tomorrow night, so you get a break from me.

Happy Trails, and I will see you when I get back!!

Culinary Academy

What can I say? I think I need to buy a camera for myself so you can see the beauties today!! We had a faculty meeting, and the culinary academy always provides goodies. They had kebabs today. Salami, turkey, and cheese kebabs stuck in bread with fruit kebabs. The only thing I didn't eat was the bread. Other than that, it was yummy!!! They also had little cookies. I can honestly say, I had three of them. They were the size of quarters. The teacher said one of the kids had fun with the different sizes. I had a quarter size chocolate chip, and two quarter size of snickerdoodles. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, does that make $0.75. Hehehe It was worth every bite. Yummy!! The great news was that I wasn't hungry at home. When you eat that late at a faculty meeting, who needs dinner.

Stress level was at an all time high. Someone cut off the lock to the team's volleyball equipment. Come to find out that it is the pe teacher. She doesn't think this is a problem. I was pissed. My girls and I, plus the previous coach, worked our arses off to fundraise for the equipment. We get the smallest budget for three teams, and frankly we get crapped up. I took it the VPs at school. They agree I should be irritated, and they are going to step in and help. I hope they do, I truly hope they do. Otherwise, I am going to do this anyway, I am going to sneak stuff out of the area and store it at home. Funny, I told the VPs that. They laughed, but thought it was a good idea. Thank you, thank you very much!!

Girl Scout cookies are among us, and I love them. I love the thin mint and peanut butter tagalongs. Thank goodness I am good at controlled those portions. If I weren't, I would be screwed. I am feeling pretty good right now because clothes that didn't fit before, fit now. I am going to keep the enthusiasm. The scale doesn't always reflect what is going on. I know that the scale will catch up eventually, but I need to keep with the positive vibes and feeling good. :o) That is a non-scale victory in itself.

Happy Trails!!

POTY and looking good!!

I'm not sure which sister I stole this tank top from, but I love it. I was filling a bit happy and pretty good, so I thought I would look the part. My hair is still wet, but I walked out the door with a confidence that I think I had lost a while ago. Thank goodness it was a beautiful day because it wouldn't have worked too well if it was raining. I did wear a nice sweater over the top, but I got a lot of compliments. Woot, woot!!

After 24 pure hours of hell for my friend Shelly and her husband, I nominate them for parents of the year (poty). Their youngest many not realize it, but she is one lucky girl. They were hit with an issue, and they banned together to get what was best for their daughter. I hope I am half as good at being a parent as they are. They are amazing!!

Other than that, my stitches itch. I am a big baby! I can't wait to take a normal shower again after the 6th. Right now, I have to be creative because I am not allowed to soak or anything like that. I am thinking I can start to get a little wet with a shower. I should truly not be such a rebel.

I tried the Colby method. It worked wonders for me today. I think I will probably do it again tomorrow. I wasn't starving when I got home, so I stayed away from the candy. The thing that set me over points tonight was wonderful, and I actually have a little self control, is Girl Scout cookies. I had a few after dinner. I was good.

Tomorrow, I am going to avoid my neighbor. I do think he is awesome, but we get to talking and I lose track of time. I really want and long to run. My iPod is charged, and I am good to go. :o)

Watch out for me in the mornings because I am the singing fool in the car. I am really into Mika (an artist), and some of the songs from Hairspray. To quote one of the songs, "no one can stop my knife and fork when I see a Christmas ham". Hehehe That was a part sung by John Travolta. LOL It still cracks me up. I belt these tunes out early in the morning.

Overall it was a great day. We are through with our notes on Germany, the Holocaust, and Jews. We are getting ready to start the novel. My kiddos will have a research paper after this is over. All of which are due by the Wednesday before spring break. I hope that it will be sooner because I don't want to have to grade all these things on my birthday and at the last minute!!

With that I bid you a good night, and happy trails!!

Questions and Answers

My buddy Colby from Mills stopped by to visit today, and we hashed out some problems I have been having with WW. I told him that I am starving when I go home from school, and that I am eating a ton of points before Jeremy gets home. Thank goodness I finally admitted that. Colby and his wife also do WW, so he came up with something that has helped him. Neither one of us were big fans of small, frequent meals, so it was hard for him to make a change. He suggested that I spread my lunch out so it takes longer to eat. This way, I am finishing my lunch when I get ready to leave. I shouldn't be hungry, and I am fueled for working out after school. I told him that I would give it a whirl. I also told him the thing that frustrates me about my WW meetings is that I know the basics, I need to get to the meat of some problems. Throw ideas out, and not be looked at as if I am some crazy loon. Don't get me wrong, I like being a crazy loon but I don't like the comments that goes along with it.

Meet my new neighbor today. She seems pretty cool with an accent. It was taking me a while, and she finally told my other neighbor and I that she is from Mississippi. She was shocked that two kids lived next door because she would have never guess. Thank you for the compliment. Now watch out for our outdoor band next month. Hehehe I told her that Conner and I pretend to play soccer out front at night. She said she would be careful when pulling into their garage. :o)

IEP and 504 laws. I can honestly say that I was a little bit pissed when I got off the phone with my friend Shelly. I hope she takes it to the lady who is giving her grief. She came up with a plan, and I don't think that lady knows what is about to hit her. Hehehe She shouldn't mess with Shelly!! That was wrong, wrong, wrong!

I was knee deep in the Holocaust and Jews and Germany. It has been an emotional day, and I can honestly say my kiddos are ready to read Night. They wanted me to start it today, but the bell rang. They were a little upset that the day didn't go longer!! LOL I finally got to them!!

I will resume my runs tomorrow because I am feeling much better today. So I will see ya on the trail!!

It's a Cold, It's Allergies, Oh, Who Knows?

Well it has been a while since I last posted. I thought I was having allergy issues thanks to the winds that have picked up in our area. I also thought that change in weather was causing me to have the same issues as I have always had. Um, I was wrong. Who knows what happened? All I know is that I usually think things are allergies, then it ends up a cold. This time I thought it was a cold, and it actually turned out to be allergies. None-the-less I probably worked myself up into these issues thanks to lack of sleep and stress over my mole removal and biopsy.

I had my mole fully removed on Thursday. I currently have three stitches in the place where skin use to be. I spent some time with my dad and I told him that his tough daughter was more scared than I thought I would be over the situation. It made me think. A lot of prayers, and talking things through has really helped me out. Too bad, I had myself totally worked up. I will know in a week or two what the results are. They will know if I need to have more removed or what. I told my students that I had a doctors appointment last thursday, and they have me dying. Rather touching, but I had to assure them that it was nothing. I must have come off convincing because we were laughing and smiling when I left for the doctor's on Thursday. The down side is that I didn't go to work on Friday, so they are probably freaking out. I have lots of explaining to do.

While I was at home on Friday because I knew I couldn't drive myself to work, I received a phone call from the VP. The darn basketball coach is trying to hog the gym this summer, so I have to track the darn guy down and beat him up. There are only two female coaches (I think three now) out of all the sports, and I am the only one who is the most vocal. Um, I am sorry I coach volleyball in the gym. Volleyball comes before basketball, have you heard of title nine. Thank you for playing. We will see what happens when I call him on Monday. He is going to hear it from me.

Obviously, I have taken a short break from running. My poor head couldn't handle sitting, laying, standing, or moving for that matter. I don't think it could have handled anything more. Hehehe The funny thing about the mole removal was that I asked how long I had to lay off running. I think it cracked up the doctor. The comment he made next was "you don't look like a runner." Jokingly, I told him that he hasn't been to a road race lately because not many runners look like runners. He got the point. He told me that I had to lay off running for two days. Depending on how I feel tomorrow, will depend on if I go for a walk. I want to ease back into working out. I don't want to send myself in a spiral down hill that is for sure.

Happy Trails!!

Smiles!!

When I got home from dinner tonight, imagine my surprise when I saw that I had comments. Hehehe My dear sister and friends. Yeah me! I am one lucky duck! It definitely gave me lots and lots of smiles. Since I have started this blog it has been freeing. I really am enjoying capturing all of my random thoughts. I should have done it a lot sooner, but now is the time.

Today has been a crazy weird day, then I realized that there was a lunar eclipse tonight. Um, that explains a lot about my students today and me. hehehe I guess when you have been teaching this long, you start to get effected by the moon. :o)

I was snubbed today by an old colleague. I guess we aren't as good of friends as I thought. The parent/friend (I have coached her daughter for the past four years, and we have become friends.) was really bothered by my colleague. I was a little hurt, then I realized we must not have been as close as friends as I thought. I know she was a little upset that I left Mills even though she wrote a letter of rec for me. I think she didn't think I was going to actually leave. Oh well!!

I am battling a stupid cold or allergies. I am really hoping it is the latter. I do not have time for a cold. Although, it would be better to get it now than during spring break.

I looked into a triathlon, and I can say I am a little intimidated. Isn't that surprising? I decided that I am going to try kayaking during spring break, then a couple of other times during the summer. I think Lindy and Kenny (a friend and her son) have kayaks that I might borrow. If I am lucky, Kenny will go with me so I won't look totally stupid. If I can get the hang of kayaking down, then I will sign up for the Eppie's Great Race. It is a run, bike, kayak. I think in that order. I am not a strong swimmer, and I need to find a place where I can practice swimming. I am contemplating asking Lindy if her pool is heated. If it is, then I am going to see if I can swim at her house after school a couple of days a week. That will be something a little different and free.

Jeremy finally printed off my race pictures from Disney World Half Marathon (1/7/07) prior to Brodie being born. It definitely reminded me why I love to run. I had a blast. I think I started running for the wrong reasons recently. I run so I can lose weight instead of for sheer enjoyment. I know it is hard to believe that I love running for running. When I run with Brodie, Conner, Jeremy, or with my friend I am reminded of my love. These pictures further made me realize that I love it.

Happy Trails!

Rain, Running, and Disneyland

Conner and I went out for a run this evening. He was talking all about Disneyland. He was telling me about rides he loves, and yelling at planes to have fun at Disneyland. He was talking, talking, talking (kind of like his mother) and then he went silent. Apparently the kiddo was tired because he talked himself into sweet dreams. I hope he gets lots of rest because he is going to the bouncespot with school and daddy tomorrow.

Brodie and I stayed home today. We had to make a quick run to school, so my students saw another side to me. I honestly can say they were surprised I had a child. I talk about my family all the time, but that is just words. When they saw Brodie this morning, they were in shock! Brodie had a fever last night of 102, so we decided to keep him home from school one more day. Today he is much, much better. He played a ton, and laughed like my little Brodie.

Finally, if you are looking for an awesome strength training program, I suggest you try Cathe Freidrich. I have been TiVoing Cardio Blast, and she has been kicking my tail. They way she has the moves set up makes your heart rate get into the cardio zone, yet you are lifting weights. It has been so challenging, it has been fun. In fact, I am hoping Jeremy will get my two new body bars for my birthday. I am hoping to get the 18 pound and the 24 pound body bar from Spri. Unfortunately, you can only get those sizes online. I saw them once at Sports Chalet, so I may steer Jeremy in that direction!!

Happy Trails!

Cool Thoughts

Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

Yoga!

Yesterday, I did a strength training workout called Triceps and Biceps by Cathe Friedrich (I hope I am spelling her name right). Boy am I sore today. I haven't had that great of a workout in my arms until yesterday.

Today, I decided that I would try Namaste Yoga. I was able to Tivo it on FitTv. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that well. I am at home alone with Brodie, so I thought while he was playing I would do it. Well, he began to cry because he isn't feeling well. Of course, I stopped what I was doing. When he fell asleep, I thought I would go back to it. It was great, but I need to do it again. I couldn't clear my head enough to do the poses correctly. I am pretty sure I was doing them correctly, I was worried that I wasn't going fast enough. I was also thinking about the boys getting home, going for a run, how sore my arms are, the NASCAR race that was starting in a few minutes. Yup, my head wasn't clear. :o( I think I will try it right before I go to bed so I can truly quiet my mind.

Happy Trails!!

Pink Eye, Double Ear Infections, and a Weight Loss

Brodie was sent home the other day with the thought of pink eye. After a doctor's appointment yesterday, he has it as well as a double ear infection! Woot, woot!! I think he is even teething. I could be wrong, but my baby doesn't have any teeth and his gums feel way bumpy!!

Weighed in this morning, and I am down another 1.6 pounds. Woot, woot!! I started a new meeting, and it felt good to be back with my old leader, Sam. From now on, that will be considered my home base. Conner went with me, and he really wanted mommy to get a five pound sticker. I told him that I might be able to get one next time. Hehehe If he keeps pushing me to walk/bike, play soccer, and basketball, I will have no problems! Hehehehe

I did a Cathe Friedrich triceps and biceps this morning. Boy were my arms tired after that. Then Brodie fell asleep while we were walking around. Yikes, I need to up my water. I also need to make sure I stretch. :o)

I also updated my running tracker. I think it might be easier to up date that once a week, so I won't get overwhelmed by it all!! I am on my way to 1000 miles. :o)

Happy Trails!!

Pink Eye?? Soccer??

Brodie was sent home with possible pink-eye!! Poor kiddo! Jeremy is taking him to the doctor's tomorrow. I think it might be in both eyes. My kids go big when they get sick. Kind of like their parents. Hehehe

Conner and I have been going for a walk/ride the last few nights. Boy does his legs pump fast! hehehe I am sprinting to keep up with him. Then he stops all the sudden to point out things. He thinks it is the funniest thing to see me stop abruptly. LOL

Stress...
...work - random stuff, but it is wearing on me. I think I need to take up yoga or something.


Happy Trails!!

Complaining about it, or do something about it?

Sam and I had yet another long conversation. I did most of the talking. Does that surprise anyone? Who needs to pay a therapist when your baby sister is cleaning her apartment and say ah, huh every once in a while? LOL With that said, there are a ton of things that have been bugging me. I started blogging, so I could get this stuff out there.

Here it goes...
...I get annoyed that I have to work so hard at losing weight, and other people don't have a problem with it. I have never cared before, but lately I have been playing the victim. Sam figures that I have probably lost sight of what it is I am trying to accomplish. I thought I was playing the victim. It is an odd role for me, so I needed to come out and admit it.

...I am jealous of people who have hit their weightloss goals. It is weird that I would be jealous, but I have been for the last few months because things that use to work for me aren't. I need to be proud of what others have accomplished because they are amazing role models, and people I am totally proud of. I know I am being totally selfish, but I feel better about laying it out on the line. It makes me realize how dumb I sound right now, but the truth hurts sometimes.

...I am jealous of Jeremy and his ability to go out there and run. He does awesome, and I am so very proud of him. You have no idea. He is an amazing guy!! I am jealous that he is way faster than me. hehehe

...I hate how I have been obsessing about my weight and calories in and calories out. That is dumb! I need to do the things I love to do. When I chill out, I do so much better!!!

...I am not happy with my current WW meeting. They complain about everything, and they talk about how they can't do anything. I am starting to sound like them. I need to find a better meeting where I feel way more comfortable, so I can take the time to be a better mommy.

...I complain and complain lately. Why don't I stop complaining and do somthing about my feelings? Great question. Am I being lazy? Yup! My dad would be so embarrassed because he would tell me that I'm either be a part of the problem or part of the solution. It is time to be a part of the solution!!

Is this a test? Probably. It is a test to remember how much I enjoy eating healthy...how much I enjoy hanging out with my boys and not being tired...how much I love playing basketball in the rally without getting winded...how much I love to run...how much I love working out in general. I am wierd like that, I know. I love it.

With that, I am going to quit complaining. I am going to do what I love to do because I want to, not because I have too.

Happy Trails!! I will see you out on the streets or trails!

A Bit Blue

Today has been an interesting day. I think this week has been an emotional rollercoaster. After talking with Sam, I feel like I probably need a change.

I love running, and I am not going to stop. With that said, Sam thought maybe my blahs are because I do the same thing all the time. Maybe it is the addictive behavior all over again. Hehehe As a thought, Sam suggested I put it up to the masses. What can I do to change things up a bit? Remember I am not rich, so I need free or inexpensive ideas for what to do. Any suggestions? I don't have a gym membership, so remember that some ideas would be limited.

What do you think?

Softball...

...I can't believe it is back into my life. What happened? I retired, and my good friend Liz picks it up. Wow!! I can't believe she would willingly volunteer herself to be a coach. Hehehe I guess we are both the same type of shmucks!!

Soccer, anyone?

Today was a long day! I am getting ready to help a friend role play teacher-administrator. I really hope he passes his class because I am afraid I am giving him horrible information.

We had yesterday off, so our week is a little messed up. We have periods 1, 3, 5 today, and 2, 4, 6 tomorrow. No short days which is a crying shame because I so miss meetings, especially after last Monday's meeting. Anyways, Mondays (0r in the case of this week Tuesday) is tough because I teach 1, 3, 4, 5. My sophs were whining like crazy because they didn't like the tic-tac-toe board project. When I finally explained it for the hundredth time, I think they do that because they like to hear me talk, they got it. It was really easy, and when one student got it they all got it. Amazing how I can explain the same thing over and over again without changing anything, and finally it sinks in. I think we were all fried from last week's exit exam. Wow, that took a lot out of me!

After going to a technology meeting, I drove home. When I got home Conner asked if he could go biking/running. We went! I showed him the rabbits, and he showed me the "dinosaur eggs" (giant rocks). He also told me that we were going on a big plane to see Sam. This was after he yelled have fun at Disneyland to a passing plane. Conner told me all about his day with Noah at the zoo with daddy and Brodie. Yup, I was at work and Jeremy, Conner, and Brodie had today off. The state took Lincoln's actual birthday off. When we got home, Conner asked to play soccer. I really don't know how to play soccer, but we pretended none-the-less.

As you can figure, I took tonight off from running. I will be pounding pavement or trails tomorrow!! Happy Trails!

What a Day!

What started out to be a relaxing, fun-filled day with my husband turned out to be an emotional, self-discovery. We went to Mellow Me Out to get a couple's massage. I guess I left a lot out on the table because I came home an emotional wreck. I'm a little bit more emotional about the mole situation than I thought I was. Why I won't let myself admit that is beyond me, but there I have said it. I am a little bit more emotional about the Anna situation than I really should be. I have made a lot of realizations and connections with my life, and it has been a wild ride. Once I got that out there and admitted all this to Jeremy between all the sobs, I finally put my best foot forward.

Jeremy went out with Trav tonight, so Conner, Brodie, and I were on our own. After dinner, we went for a walk/bike ride. When we got home Conner and I played a little basketball with some soccer mixed in. It was a blast. We rounded out the evening with coloring, and a movie (Snow Buddies, thank you Grandma Hunt). When Jeremy got home, he told me to get out there and run. It was probably one of the best runs I have had. I laid it out on the line, and I pushed an 11:11 minute mile. I forgot how great "Puttin' On The Ritz" was until I was running to it. I played it twice, and boy did I pick up some speed. If Jeremy hadn't pushed me out the door, I am sure I would have sat on my arse tonight and wallowed in self-pity. He knows that running/exercising makes me feel better, which is why he pushes me to the next level.

If you ever find your self in the emotional state that I was in get out there and lay it on the line. It will definitely make you feel better, I know it does for me. See ya on the streets and trails!!

Oh No, Erin's in the kitchen!

As you can figure, I cooked myself dinner tonight. Anyone who knows me, knows that I actually am not a big fan of cooking. I will do it, and I am pretty good at it, but I won't do it unless I absolutely have to or the spirit moves me. Anyway, when I got home from my run with Brodie, I felt that I needed to eat a little something. I love chicken, filling and yet low in points. As I was cooking, the fire alarm went off. Are you kidding me? All I can do is laugh my arse off because that sums up the feeling I have when I cook. My neighbors probably hope and pray that I never cook again. The truth of the matter is that I wanted to test out the fire alarms. Just to let ya'll know, they work. Both the upstairs and downstairs and all the room alarms are connected nicely. I know you were worried about our well-being in a new house, but it is ok. No worries!

As I mentioned, I also went for a quick run with Brodie. It was nice to get out there without music, and run while listening to the babble of Brodie. He had quite a bit to say, can we say he is like his mommy? Hehehehe There were quite a few airplanes taking off from the airport. I would love to know where all of them are going. I let my imagination run wild, so I think I have them narrowed down to all going to Disney World. Pretty pathetic, I know, but it is fun!! Today was such a beautiful day with highs of 70, so tonight was an awesome night. The stars and moon looked incredible! An awesome run for sure!!

Earlier in the day, we went to the circle store (as Conner likes to call Target), Old Navy, and Barnes and Noble. Conner and Brodie got a little something from great-grandma and great-grandpa Picanco, so they were on the look out for a little toy. On our way to the circle store, we noticed that Old Navy was having a sale for babys and kids. We got some really cute clothes for the boys. We even got them matching swimsuits for the summer. :o) I got some cute shoes to wear with my dresses at school. I am sure my sisters would be embarrassed to know that I have been wearing my Ryka running shoes with my dresses. Well that wouldn't be the first time this past week that I embarrassed Sam. We won't mention her oldest sister playing basketball in front of the student body of Cordova wearing Chemistry goggles, a neon green shirt, hot pink leg warmers, Jeremy's shorts and socks, and a sweat band. It was awesome! She is afraid she can't step foot on Cordova's campus because I am too cool!! hehehehe

Alright, I better get ready for bed and the week ahead. I will see you out on the streets and trails!

Where to Begin?

My dear friends Kathy and Shelly have a blogging page. They have inspired me to begin my own blog about random musings. Hence the name Muse's musings. In the last few days, random lessons have hit me square in the face. I am learning a lot from my sons. They are amazing. One is three and the other is 8 months. I enjoy watching my three year old play like there is no tomorrow. He doesn't let anything stop him. If a good song comes on, he gets up and dances. It could be at the most random places, but he moves. He is very in tune with his body, and what he enjoys. He refuses to do anything that doesn't move him. Why, oh why, can't I be more like him? I love running so much, yet I try to talk myself out of it. It's too cold, too hot, too this, too that. I love lifting weights because it makes me feel strong, and yet I will sleep in or do other things. Then I complain because I haven't lost any weight, or my clothes are tighter. When my son is done eating, he stops. What a concept! I continue inhaling everything that is arms reach is in my mouth. LOL Pronouncing that I will start eating better tomorrow. Um, no I won't.

Since I discovered these wonderful things about myself, I began to make small changes. Nothing has gotten in the way of my running or exercising in general. In fact, I have been playing more Wii sports with oldest son because he loves playing bowling with mommy. I have also done more random things with him, and laughing louder and harder. I forgot how fun it is to run through the puddles while it is raining.

I am currently training for the Pirates Cove 30k, and I am giddy as a school girl. I figure I will muse about my training ups and downs as well as the randomly crazy things I have gotten myself into. For example, the other day I turned left because it looked like fun. It was the most amazing run, but I got stuck in a lot of mud. I didn't realize how heavy mud was until it started accumulating on my shoes. I was covered in mud, and it was quite freeing. While I was taking a mud bath, I saw an awesome sunset as well as animals trying to figure out what this crazy lady was up to. If you haven't run through the mud, you should try it soon. It is definitely well worth it.

Enough Musings for one day, see ya out on the trails or streets!!