10 DAYS!!!

In 10 days I am getting married. I am so excited, I have officially passed the being able to sleep stage. Too happy.

I cleaned the whole house today. And did lots of laundry. We are working very hard to not spend much money since we have giant things coming up that will require money, so I should be able to spend more time cleaning, but somehow I always do something else.

Tomorrow should be the second day (in three weeks) that the weather will be nice enough for the outdoor swimming, so I am thrilled with that! It is SO much nicer than swimming inside. Also tomorrow I need to mow at my parents house again. They have been in Italy for a long time and finally get home Wednesday.

Overdue for an Update

I just have had so much going on that it seems overwhelming at times to update!

Life is so good, and moving so fast! I will try and go back and remember it all...

1st - I am getting MARRIED! In 15 Days!!!

2nd - I got hurt again. Not as bad, but still bad. No more running on pavement.

3rd - We went to KC and had lots of fun and did a race.

4th - We have this other huge thing going on, but I don't know that I want to talk about it yet. Soon tho.

5th - We were going to move, then we were going to remodel, now we are going to do nothing. It was a LOT of work to get to this point.

6th - I found an outdoor pool and am LOVING it. Swimming for 50 minutes is much better outside. And there is much less noise.

7th - 15 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! MARRIED!!!!!!!!!! 15 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

May Day 2008

When I was little we used to make may baskets for neighbors and put flowers in them and then ring the door bell and run away. Today there aren't any flowers and if any one leaves anything on my porch it will be covered in about 3 minutes.

The Front Yard and tree:

The open space and creek: The deck chairs:

The grill that Tim cooked dinner on last night in 82 degree weather:

Memorial Day 8k

I got my tickets, so now we just need to register for the race in KC on Memorial Day!! I am so happy to have a goal again. I need to run it faster than the 8k I ran in June last year.

http://runningwithbeagles.blogspot.com/2007/06/8k-review.html

Oh, wow. I ran that faster than I thought. Hmmmm.

Sunny snow days

My grass is going to be about 2 feet tall once it finally warms up around here. This snow after snow thing is really working.

Maddie has really adjusted to her new doggie door. She doesn't run through it as fast as the other one, but she remembers where it is now.

6 am is really early when one hasn't slept well lately. In fact, most nights I have just finally fallen asleep by 6 am lately.

Sticking with WW and pointing is very hard. It was so much easier last time. These "few" extra pounds are not coming off. I need to commit to cardio. Why can't I commit??

Punked.

I think I punked myself. I went around all day yesterday pretending that I was hopeful and optimistic, when I knew it wasn't true. Happy people makes me crazy. How can some people be so hopeful all the time. Sometimes I think I am actually turning into my father and my grandmother. I just need to be faster with my snark.

I have decided to become a full-time drinker. Which means that since I am still pointing it is much harder to get the daily recommendation of fiber. 32 grams doesn't happen in just one martini.

On another note, Maddie started squeaking her happy squeak when I come home again. I really missed that. Also, the designer is coming next week! Yeah! So even though we can't do the renovations we will still have pretty plans of them!

Springtime in Colorado!

I am ready for some consistency. This rain, snow, warm, rain, warm, wind, snow, wind thing is getting old. At least it was a beautiful weekend.

Saturday we did yard work and ran errands. We both got new Keen sandals. I am so happy with mine. Red! Sandals! Red! I haven't been this happy with new sandals since my Jiminy Cricket sandals.

We made the yard so pretty, except for two spots that will require serious attention. Getting the grass to stop growing through the chicken wire stuff from the green belt could seriously be a full time job. Tim also fertilized, so it will be ready to grow as soon as we get warm days. We need to move the sprinkler lines before we can get the new deck, so we need to figure all that out soon.

We also found the rest of the chairs for our patio furniture on Craig's List, so we picked those up on Sunday. Now we just need a glass table top and we are all set, you know, once the deck is built. Oh! We also found the cutest fan online for the roof of the deck, so I am super excited about that!!

Yesterday we were able to golf for only the second time this year. It went really well!! I am ready for our leagues to start. I think it will be 6 weeks or so, though.

This week is going to rock! We get all the bids back for all the remodeling AND we are going to get some other really good news. I am also going to start running more with the walking, as I would really like to do that race in May.

FINISHED!

Today I finished my March goal of 100 miles. AWESOME! I am very pleased. I was hoping to walk further today, but it was very blustery and cold and there was "wildlife" on the path. We turned around and finished the last mile in the neighborhood.

Tonight is John Adams and the start of the second season of the Tudors. Fun! I am very happy that the Office starts again this week. Also, three more episodes of the Biggest Loser. Big tv week! Which is funny because we really don't watch that much. Usually we watch netflix.

I need to finalize my April workout plans. I will keep you posted.

clean house

I have really neglected the dust. I never realized how much dust there was...I guess it was hiding in the carpet. Now it shows on the floor, so I need to swiffer more often!

Tomorrow is doggie door day! And it is supposed to rain and maybe snow...perfect. Can't we have nice weather and no more wind? I am ready.

Only 14 more miles and 5 days to do it in. Whoohoooo!! I am so happy I have almost made my goal. It was close for a while.

Back to pointing...

I just can't lose weight if I don't count points. I guess that is just what works for me. I am back to pointing, as Mary calls it. As of today. 8 points so far. Cereal, snack, lunch. I am aiming for 22 points a day I guess.

I am also super happy to report that unless I break my leg, I will get my 100 miles in for March!! Mostly because Tim had a three-day weekend so we walked 24 miles together. I couldn't have done it with out that. Now I just need about 3 a day for the rest of the month. But I will do as many as possible just to see.

We are thinking of getting a new deck. The guys are coming Wednesday to look and estimate and such. We want a trex deck with a roof all along the back of the house. And lower, so we don't need railings. Also, Thursday we are getting a real doggie door. I am so looking forward to that. The old one we have makes it very tough to use the back door. And I want to be able to use it instead of going around the garage!

March 18th...

I am a little worried about getting all 100 miles in, but I think I can do it. I can't take any more days off though. I had to take a day off last week, but no more.

Yesterday was an awesome 5 miles in the chilly, but no wind afternoon. I really enjoyed it and I had the path all to myself as it was only 34 degrees.

Tonight we are starting the Maddie walks after dinner as it should be light enough. I am really looking forward to that!

Weights!

I lifted! I am pretty weak, but at least I am back to working at the problem. It felt great, even.

This afternoon it was close to 70 degrees, so I took Maddie out for a 3 mile walk. There were at least one million dogs and kids out today. Everyone wanted to pet Maddie. She is just so darn cute!

Pokey Puppy

Today was beautiful, so after advanced pilates (which I SUCKED at) I took Maddie out for her now daily walk. We went 0.96 miles in over 20 minutes. It was painful it was so slow. She was tired from yesterday I guess, or just pokey. I don't know, but I had to circle back home to drop her off. It was a loooong, slow almost mile.

After I left her home I walked the rest of the 5 miles in about 55 minutes. I was very pleased with that.

Tomorrow is regular pilates and then lifting. And tomorrow afternoon I am riding with the bike class.....so excited!!! I will let you know how it goes.

#150

This is my 150th post.

Today we slept late and enjoyed a lazy Sunday morning. Then we had sushi and took a long walk with Maddie. So far it has been a perfect spring forward day.

My blisters are so much better since I popped them. That was so gross and so worth it.

This week I am back to pump classes twice a week and excited to get back to the weights. I have to pace myself, but am really looking forward to the challenge!

Saturday

Tim, Maddie and I walked to our new liquor store today. It was a nice walk. 1.1 miles there and then we walked around our neighborhood for a total of 3 miles.

We have an agreement that once daylight savings begins we will walk Maddie every evening, so that starts tomorrow. Maddie needs it. She is pokey. But at least I didn't have to carry her on today's walk. (it is hard carrying a 27 pound beagle.)

day 2

BNP is going very well. I just need to find something on from 10 - 11 that isn't 'The Price is Right.' That show is too slow.

I do have blisters on top of my blisters, tho. That is sad. I took so much time off from exercise that my feet lost all of the protective calluses. (Hi Mary!! I am talking about feet! Still reading??) So yesterday I got little blisters and then today I got big blisters on top of my little blisters. I hope my feet toughen up quickly.

Tomorrow is the county convention that I get to go to as a delegate. I am super excited, but also dreading it a little. I hope it is fun and interesting and not long and boring.

I just ate a super yummy salad that I made...broccoli slaw, salmon and sesame ginger dressing. So good. Now I am eating a tortilla with almond butter. Today's big project it to swiffer the new floor! Fun.

Big New Plan!

The floor is finished. The trip to Peru was awesome. Blah, blah, blah.

I just haven't been in an update-y mood. But I have exciting news to share with the internets, so I am back!

I am going to get off my butt!!! YEAH!!

I am going to walk/jog/run 100 miles in March! See! I added the little ticker guy up top. Cool, eh?

So! Here is the BNP: Walk every day for the rest of March. Run/Jog a little so I can get back to running 5ks. I want to do the Highline Canal run again this year in May.

I am also doing pilates and want to go back to pump.

I decided that I just need a new goal. I have big goals - like fitting into things by summer and such, but I need little goals for along the way. Last year I had tons of goals and races to plan for, this year I need something.

So! That's it...100 miles in March. Starting today!!!

New Floor -- day 1

Yeah! Today is new floor day. Sadly, though, the worker-men didn't get here until after 10:30 and they had to leave at 3:15. So not as much progress was made as we hoped. Another problem was that the crappy builders used crappy-ass pressed board under the kitchen floor that came up in about 2x2 inch chunks. Very labor intensive and time consuming. And LOUD.
Here is the day in pictures!

Here is the linoleum coming up in the kitchen area. It came up in big sheets.
Under the linoleum the underlayment came up in tiny chunks. Here is the biggest one. They finally started and laid about 4 rows!!
Tomorrow will be a long day!

Cold.

Wow, it got really cold here. Fast. Yesterday was bad, but I didn't go out much, so it was tolerable. Today is not as cold, but I was out more in it. Booo.

Today is the first official pointing day, and as of 2:30 it is going really well. Tuesday and Thursday were mini-detox days. No fried food, less caffeine, reasonable portions. But today is actual WW pointing. For breakfast I had 4 points of oatmeal with dried cherries. For lunch I had an awesome 6 point salad with canned salmon, (who knew, yummy!) lettuce, broccoli slaw, carrots, almonds, snap peas, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It might have been the best salad ever made in the history of salads.

After I do a few more things I will have 2 points of grapefruit. Dinner tonight is 5 points of pork roast, 3 points of sweet potato, broccoli and spinach salad. That makes 20 points and I get to have something else. Maybe popcorn for 2 more points. 22 points today. That's a good day. Or 23 I guess, if I need chocolate later....

I spent a very long time at the grocery store comparing labels and investigating options. I bought an incredible assortment of very healthy foods. I am quite pleased and hopeful that we can make some yummy stuff. Most of the actual cooking will have to wait until after the floor is installed on Monday and Tuesday, but until then we have lots of leftover meals in the freezer. I think after next week we will be out of those. Amazing. Love the big RR and Martha meals. They give us so many leftovers!

So the floor is on its way. They think it will only take the two days. I hope so as I think it won't be very enjoyable for Maddie. Tim and I have a lot of work to do this weekend clearing out the whole first floor. For how small it seems, there is a lot of stuff in here. Also, the recipe project is a very big project and leads to a LARGE pile of old magazines that need to be gone through to write the good recipes in our new book. It is amazing how many recipe magazines I had stuff in that little cabinet! I bet the floor was about to crash through.

Kansas City Trip Report

So! This trip is the BEST! We decided to only visit new places on this trip. With the exception of the place tonight, but it is a weekend and last time I went on a weeknight, so it is sort of still true.

On Tuesday, Maddie was a perfect road trip companion. She sat on her princess pillow the whole time and wasn't bad at all. The only little run-in we had was when she tried to go under my legs to get a wheat thin that I dropped.

When we arrived at Mary's we decided to try out The Studio Downtown, the most divey of the new places. We had onion rings and chicken nachos. Old men were getting ready to play live music, so we finished our meal and headed out. Went to the liquor store for a housewarming margarita for SF and went to see her new house. She had literally arrived about 4 minutes before we did. Her parents arrived right after we did, so I got to meet them. We checked out the house, which is very nice. Helped her unload a few items and then split to watch BBC's You Are What You Eat. Very fun new show for me to watch!!

Wednesday, Mary had to work, so I hung out with Lisa! We went to Tarrantino's for a calzone lunch. So yummy. We also had coffee and then hung out at her place. Hazel licked Maddie's butt which made Maddie poop a little. On the carpet. In the house. Great houseguests! Then awhile later Maddie pee'd a bunch right there. Bad Ann and Puppy. It was about time to leave after that. Lisa hasn't talked to me since. Sad.

Wednesday night we went to Grinders for Tater Tots, Krinkle Fries and a Meatball Grinder. Lots of fun! I learned a new phrase from the bathroom wall and had to come home and look it up on Urban Dictionary.com. We came home and watched more You Are What You Eat.

Thursday Mary took off work and we started the morning off at Room 39 for breakfast. My Mom's friend's nephew owns it, so she kept wanting us to try it. It was very good. And fun. Then we headed over to SF's to help with a heavy tv and some boxes. After the gym, we met up with her for dinner at JP Wine Bar. OHMYGOSH! So good and so yummy!!! We spent 5 hours there eating and drinking. We got to talk to the chef! It was a blast!! Very highly recommend it. And I want to go back!! Then we came home and watched more YAWYE on BBC America.

Friday we slept late and then Mary made smoothies. We had coffee from the Coffee Break on Troost. We had a yummy fun artsy lunch at Sarah's on Grand. Then we walked around some shops. I bought a super fun little outfit at a local place called Birdies. We had more coffee from a little place called Mildred's. Then we met up with Mary's Posse for Happy Hour at the Mutual Musician's Foundation and also the Blue Room. Great Jazz and Blues. Then the posse had dinner at Lulu's. Yummy Thai noodles. After dinner it was off to Royal Liquors for booze and then the Burlesque show. Wow! That was really, really fun!! It was in a loft down in the West Bottoms that is owned by some of SF's friends. We saw the nice lady from Birdie's and we danced. Mary wouldn't dance in the cage or ride on the swing, but she wanted to. The night was really, really, really fun. I have always wanted to see a lady twirl the tassels on pasties, but I hadn't had the opportunity until last night. That's got to be a tough thing to learn. All the performers were so great!! One of the best parts of the night for me was when I got hit on by a girl! It rocked. After the burlesque show we went for a drink at Out-of-Bounds. Another new place for me. It was a good way to end the evening.

When we woke up today we went to the Corner Diner in Westport for breakfast and then to Broadway Cafe for lattes. We walked around a few shops in Westport and I got two shirts and a pair of jeans at a resale shop. Mary also got a cute shirt. Then we drove to the Plaza to check out American Apparel. Mary got a super cute hoodie there.

Soon we are heading to the gym and two more resale shops. Mary needs a leather jacket. Tonight is Bar Natascha for shows and dinner at the Noodle Shop on 59th. I'll report back later with more!

Going to Kansas City!!

So tomorrow is the big driving day! Maddie and I are heading out early and hoping to meet up with SF in Limon. Fun caravan!!!

I might not update too often since my reader will be with me the whole time! But maybe we will blog together.

Later Internets!!

New Year, New Faucet!

Happy New Year! I haven't blogged in awhile, I guess because things have been going so well and I have been busy. THIS YEAR ROCKS!

We put the down payment down on the new floor and really got to thinking about the whole kitchen. Tim started talking about just getting all the stuff we want now instead of waiting, so today we went ahead and got the new faucet for the kitchen sink. I love it. It has a pull-out sprayer and we also got a drinking water filter faucet on the side. So cool! Even better water than our last fix. Yeah!!

We just finished watching a really cute Irish movie called 'Once.' Last night we went to see 'Juno.' Also very cute.

Tomorrow is Twelfth Night, Epiphany, etc...so I suppose we will take down the tree and outdoor decorations. I hate to do it before the 7th, but Tim has to work Monday and I have a busy day planned. So Sunday it is. Hopefully the wind dies down a bit before we go outside again.