- How easy it is to get a show on TLC if you have more than 7 children (multiples help, too)
- Sarah Palin
- The cost of vet care (this is scary when you have dog who eats t-shirts and socks)
- Walmart when it is crowded
- The frequency of natural disasters (e.g., floods and tornadoes) recently occurring in the area in which I live
- How many people have their own reality TV shows for no real reason
- How my hanging baskets of flowers get stolen in the summer if I put them in my front yard (I don't do this anymore)
- What I look like in skinny jeans
- The Atkins Diet
- Women who use Halloween as an excuse to dress slutty
- Girls who use Halloween as an excuse to dress slutty
- How Halloween has turned into an excuse to dress slutty
- How attached I am to my flat iron
- Lindsay Lohan
- How many calories are in a large blizzard from DQ
- How good I am at napping
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween to all! In honor of the day, I give you my list of things that are scary to me:
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Goodbye October!
Only one more day of October, and that day is Halloween! Time really does fly. We've been fortunate to have nice weather most of October--until this past week. I have to admit today was nearly perfect running weather (contrary to the wet and windy week we've had). I went 5 miles, and it was about 60 degrees with just a tad bit of wind.
Before today, it had been about a week since I went for a run. I've been doing other stuff. I'm on my friendly spin bike quite a bit, and I taught some aerobics at the rec. I thought a little break from running would do me good since I had been feeling just a little burned out. I'm not sure I was right. When I ran today, I had some IT band issues, and some pain in both knees. I am wondering if this might be partially due to the squats and lunges I've been doing. I think it is also partially due to the short lay-off. I'm not too worried about it.
I've been getting up early (like 5:30) and forcing myself to get on the spin bike (or out on the run) by 5:45. I'm hoping that this will get easier for me because sometimes getting up that early is such a battle. There are days though that I think I am getting in the habit. I'll keep at it. I feel like I should try reciting, "I am a morning exerciser," over and over again. I really do want to be a morning exerciser. I was hoping to get to the point where it wouldn't be a struggle, but maybe it's okay if it is always a struggle...as long as I go through that struggle and do it. One of my strategies is to "save" one of my favorite shows on the DVR to watch during my a.m. workout. Friday morning I watched Private Practice while on the spin bike.
A few words about my spin bike. I bought a Star Trac spin bike about two years ago. If I remember, it was about $900. I feel like it was a great investment (as was our treadmill). It's pretty smooth to ride and is fairly low-maintenance. You can easily adjust the resistance. You can sit, hover, or stand. You can really get a good workout on it if you want to. Of course, it's more low impact than running, and it's great to ride when the weather is terrible.
Last winter I did a lot of running outside with my Yaktraks and spent a lot of time on the treadmill--and a little bit of time on the spin bike. This winter I have a feeling I might get back into the spin bike. We'll see. In the winter, my rule is that I can do whatever I feel like for fitness--as long as I am doing something. When it gets a little warmer in the spring, I'll think about getting into some sort of a running plan to train for races.
Speaking of winter....there are few things I really LOVE about winter, and college basketball is one of those things! The UNI men's basketball team has their first exhibition game on Tuesday. I love the time of year when the college football and basketball seasons overlap!
Before today, it had been about a week since I went for a run. I've been doing other stuff. I'm on my friendly spin bike quite a bit, and I taught some aerobics at the rec. I thought a little break from running would do me good since I had been feeling just a little burned out. I'm not sure I was right. When I ran today, I had some IT band issues, and some pain in both knees. I am wondering if this might be partially due to the squats and lunges I've been doing. I think it is also partially due to the short lay-off. I'm not too worried about it.
I've been getting up early (like 5:30) and forcing myself to get on the spin bike (or out on the run) by 5:45. I'm hoping that this will get easier for me because sometimes getting up that early is such a battle. There are days though that I think I am getting in the habit. I'll keep at it. I feel like I should try reciting, "I am a morning exerciser," over and over again. I really do want to be a morning exerciser. I was hoping to get to the point where it wouldn't be a struggle, but maybe it's okay if it is always a struggle...as long as I go through that struggle and do it. One of my strategies is to "save" one of my favorite shows on the DVR to watch during my a.m. workout. Friday morning I watched Private Practice while on the spin bike.
A few words about my spin bike. I bought a Star Trac spin bike about two years ago. If I remember, it was about $900. I feel like it was a great investment (as was our treadmill). It's pretty smooth to ride and is fairly low-maintenance. You can easily adjust the resistance. You can sit, hover, or stand. You can really get a good workout on it if you want to. Of course, it's more low impact than running, and it's great to ride when the weather is terrible.
Last winter I did a lot of running outside with my Yaktraks and spent a lot of time on the treadmill--and a little bit of time on the spin bike. This winter I have a feeling I might get back into the spin bike. We'll see. In the winter, my rule is that I can do whatever I feel like for fitness--as long as I am doing something. When it gets a little warmer in the spring, I'll think about getting into some sort of a running plan to train for races.
Speaking of winter....there are few things I really LOVE about winter, and college basketball is one of those things! The UNI men's basketball team has their first exhibition game on Tuesday. I love the time of year when the college football and basketball seasons overlap!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Bed Times & Boot Camp
Hello, Cyberfriends! A quick note before bed.
First, a note about bed. More specifically, bed times. At the start of the school year, my bed time was going to be 10 p.m. Well, at least I would be in bed at 10--even if I wasn't asleep. As the fall progressed, I decided 11 was okay. It seemed like I'd do work on the computer and housework until 9 or so, and I wanted that time later at night to sit and relax.
Now I am sometimes struggling to get out of bed in the morning. And I am resolving to get to bed at 10. Every weeknight. Yes, EVERY weeknight. That gives me 12 minutes before bed. And just like a parent to a small child, I MEAN IT. I am hoping this will make life a little easier when the alarm goes off.
I will admit that I am a person who needs a lot of sleep. I know people who can make it on 5 hours a night. I am not one of them, and I have accepted this. You would not want to be around me if I was running on 5 hours of sleep. In a world where people brag about not getting enough sleep, I brag about my ability to nap with the best of them. And I can. A 30 minute nap is ridiculous to me. I can't wake up after 30 minutes. Give me two hours or give me no nap at all. I don't get the "Power Nap" deal. The only person (or being) that can outsleep me is Karl, the incredible sleeping Mastiff. Now there's a world-class sleeper. He's about 7 years old. I'm not even sure he's been awake for a total of one year. That's my boy.
We have enjoyed more beautiful fall weather around here. Remind me of this week when I complain about Iowa weather. It really couldn't be any nicer right now. I love fall. And Iowa really isn't that terrible. In fact, there are some real positives about living here (tales for another day).
I taught boot camp last night at the Rec. I used to teach lots of aerobics class. Now I just fill in as needed--usually once a week or so. I was sore today. I will be more sore (or sorer???) tomorrow. I'm not used to squats/lunges/upper body work. I need to get back into doing some resistance work regularly, but I find it pretty boring. My sole workout for the past year has been running (except when I have to sub at the Rec)--no weights, no swimming, no biking. But it was good to be teaching at the Rec. Some of the people there are some of the best people I've met in Cedar Falls. They are fun and positive--and they laugh at my jokes.
Well, I supposed I should be off to bed. The 10 p.m. bed time seems so early, but then again, so does my alarm.
First, a note about bed. More specifically, bed times. At the start of the school year, my bed time was going to be 10 p.m. Well, at least I would be in bed at 10--even if I wasn't asleep. As the fall progressed, I decided 11 was okay. It seemed like I'd do work on the computer and housework until 9 or so, and I wanted that time later at night to sit and relax.
Now I am sometimes struggling to get out of bed in the morning. And I am resolving to get to bed at 10. Every weeknight. Yes, EVERY weeknight. That gives me 12 minutes before bed. And just like a parent to a small child, I MEAN IT. I am hoping this will make life a little easier when the alarm goes off.
I will admit that I am a person who needs a lot of sleep. I know people who can make it on 5 hours a night. I am not one of them, and I have accepted this. You would not want to be around me if I was running on 5 hours of sleep. In a world where people brag about not getting enough sleep, I brag about my ability to nap with the best of them. And I can. A 30 minute nap is ridiculous to me. I can't wake up after 30 minutes. Give me two hours or give me no nap at all. I don't get the "Power Nap" deal. The only person (or being) that can outsleep me is Karl, the incredible sleeping Mastiff. Now there's a world-class sleeper. He's about 7 years old. I'm not even sure he's been awake for a total of one year. That's my boy.
We have enjoyed more beautiful fall weather around here. Remind me of this week when I complain about Iowa weather. It really couldn't be any nicer right now. I love fall. And Iowa really isn't that terrible. In fact, there are some real positives about living here (tales for another day).
I taught boot camp last night at the Rec. I used to teach lots of aerobics class. Now I just fill in as needed--usually once a week or so. I was sore today. I will be more sore (or sorer???) tomorrow. I'm not used to squats/lunges/upper body work. I need to get back into doing some resistance work regularly, but I find it pretty boring. My sole workout for the past year has been running (except when I have to sub at the Rec)--no weights, no swimming, no biking. But it was good to be teaching at the Rec. Some of the people there are some of the best people I've met in Cedar Falls. They are fun and positive--and they laugh at my jokes.
Well, I supposed I should be off to bed. The 10 p.m. bed time seems so early, but then again, so does my alarm.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
33
I had a birthday. I am now 33. Rather than complaining about how OLD 33 seems, I feel lucky I made it this far and am healthy and have a great life. And I never want to be the party pooper who doesn't enjoy surprise birthday parties. That annoys me. Also, I won't ever be the person who hides her age or lies about it. I don't get that. (I tend to think about stuff like this sometimes because I work in gerontology.) We all age--get over it, people.
On other fronts...work has been crazy but might be settling down just a little. My tenure materials were due Friday, as was a big gerontology report that must be done every 7 years. More than anything, I need to work on myself so that I can separate work from home and stay sane when work is nuts. I've never been good at that. I bring work home with me, but literally and figuratively. I am somewhat of a workaholic, and it doesn't help that I live in an age when I can do so much at home via my good friend, remote desktop.
My runs have not been long or fast--very leisurely. I do about 4-6 miles a day, with one or maybe even two days off each week. In a way, I feel like I need a goal or something to really kick me into gear. In another way, I like to be able to run by feel, with no training plan or GPS. I go back and forth.
Lately, I am also appreciating the feeling of running with the leaves crunching under my feet. However, Murphy doesn't enjoy it so much. The crunching makes him think someone or something is chasing him.
It's been a beautiful October here in Iowa. It's great running weather. Of course, I know what's coming. This isn't my first Iowa winter, and I fully expect a bitterly cold and ridiculously snowy season. I've learned to hope for the best but expect the worst. Last year, I ran outside quite a bit until January, when I turned to the treadmill. Not sure if I will focus this year on running outside, the treadmill, or a combination. I may also use the spinning bike some. There is something, though, about running outside in the winter that I love. Maybe it's because the trails are so empty and serene. But, for now, I'll appreciate the fall.
With it being fall and getting dark earlier (which I don't like), I've been inside in the evenings watching the boob tube--as my father calls it. I thought maybe I'd make a list today of shows I'm watching right now. These are in no particular order, and I make no statements about the quality of these shows:
I should also add that I've had a recent fascination with the rescue of the Chilean miners. I was up in the middle of the night watching them be pulled up this week. It's just amazing to me that they survived for so long underground. I have odd questions like "What did they talk about?", and "Where did they go to the bathroom?"
The situation brought back memories of Baby Jessica, the baby pulled from a well when I was a child (maybe in the early 80's?). I remember sitting around watching that whole debacle and how the nation rejoiced when she surfaced. Okay--so a baby in a well is maybe a little different from 33 miners in a Chilean mine, but the miners brought back those memories somehow anyway.
Alright, on with my day.
On other fronts...work has been crazy but might be settling down just a little. My tenure materials were due Friday, as was a big gerontology report that must be done every 7 years. More than anything, I need to work on myself so that I can separate work from home and stay sane when work is nuts. I've never been good at that. I bring work home with me, but literally and figuratively. I am somewhat of a workaholic, and it doesn't help that I live in an age when I can do so much at home via my good friend, remote desktop.
My runs have not been long or fast--very leisurely. I do about 4-6 miles a day, with one or maybe even two days off each week. In a way, I feel like I need a goal or something to really kick me into gear. In another way, I like to be able to run by feel, with no training plan or GPS. I go back and forth.
Lately, I am also appreciating the feeling of running with the leaves crunching under my feet. However, Murphy doesn't enjoy it so much. The crunching makes him think someone or something is chasing him.
It's been a beautiful October here in Iowa. It's great running weather. Of course, I know what's coming. This isn't my first Iowa winter, and I fully expect a bitterly cold and ridiculously snowy season. I've learned to hope for the best but expect the worst. Last year, I ran outside quite a bit until January, when I turned to the treadmill. Not sure if I will focus this year on running outside, the treadmill, or a combination. I may also use the spinning bike some. There is something, though, about running outside in the winter that I love. Maybe it's because the trails are so empty and serene. But, for now, I'll appreciate the fall.
With it being fall and getting dark earlier (which I don't like), I've been inside in the evenings watching the boob tube--as my father calls it. I thought maybe I'd make a list today of shows I'm watching right now. These are in no particular order, and I make no statements about the quality of these shows:
- Sister Wives (season finale tonight--I enjoy talking to people about this show because opinions vary so much)
- House
- Parenthood (I recommend this if you haven't seen it yet)
- Grey's Anatomy
- Private Practice (I actually don't like this show that much but continue to watch it anyway)
- Dr. G (missed my calling, should have been a medical examiner)
- Teen Mom
- The Middle (just discovered this one--love Brick)
- Disappeared (odd fascination with this--think I am the only one in the world who watches this)
- Toddlers & Tiaras (and Little Miss Perfect--pretty much the same ridiculous show)
- The Office (last season for Michael Scott--will they really continue without him?)
I should also add that I've had a recent fascination with the rescue of the Chilean miners. I was up in the middle of the night watching them be pulled up this week. It's just amazing to me that they survived for so long underground. I have odd questions like "What did they talk about?", and "Where did they go to the bathroom?"
The situation brought back memories of Baby Jessica, the baby pulled from a well when I was a child (maybe in the early 80's?). I remember sitting around watching that whole debacle and how the nation rejoiced when she surfaced. Okay--so a baby in a well is maybe a little different from 33 miners in a Chilean mine, but the miners brought back those memories somehow anyway.
Alright, on with my day.
Friday, October 8, 2010
A bright spot
First of all, this week has been overwhelming--work has been kicking my butt. Lots of reports due, and some other stuff not worth mentioning, or reliving. I've been working virtually all of my waking hours. I don't want to be a complainer. I don't waitress, detassel, or clean kennels for a living. My job is great, but this week I've been on the verge of....I don't know what. I feel just mentally and physically exhausted.
Anyway, I went through the Starbucks drive through on my way home tonight. The person ahead of me had alread paid for my drink! It was really nice, and great timing since I have not been having a good week. Thank you, nice stranger! You made my day!
I have gotten a few runs in this week, but also skipped a few. Really, I've only missed two days I should have run, and I'm trying not to be too hard on myself. I think I'll get to do a long run tomorrow morning, and the weather is supposed to be great. I am hoping to get a good night's sleep--and sleep in some--and do a nice (but long) leisurely run at maybe 9 or 9:30.
Anyway, I went through the Starbucks drive through on my way home tonight. The person ahead of me had alread paid for my drink! It was really nice, and great timing since I have not been having a good week. Thank you, nice stranger! You made my day!
I have gotten a few runs in this week, but also skipped a few. Really, I've only missed two days I should have run, and I'm trying not to be too hard on myself. I think I'll get to do a long run tomorrow morning, and the weather is supposed to be great. I am hoping to get a good night's sleep--and sleep in some--and do a nice (but long) leisurely run at maybe 9 or 9:30.
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