Today is your birthday! It's my birthday too!!!

Well, OK.....it may not exactly be your birthday - - but it is MINE!! I love birthdays! I am of the assumption you get to celebrate your birthday the entire WEEK of your birthday, and not just the one day. After all, you have to get in as many free lunches/dinners you can possibly get right?! :)




Anyhoo, to my surprise (and everyone else in my office) my boss decided he wanted to get me a birthday cake for my birthday. Doesn't it look yummy?

I know, the picture does not do it justice since I had to use my phone to take the pic. But, trust me.....it was a toasted Coconut cake and it was scrumptious!

Me and a coworker went to lunch today for my birthday and then came back to the office and pigged out on cake! :) Most of the others in our office "save their extra calories for wine" so they said, so needless to say me and Jillian had a lot of cake to share - but we didn't mind! We had breakfast and snack for the rest of the week!

Me and the family did not do anything special for my birthday today since we have planned to go out to eat tomorrow night since that day worked better for everyones schedule. I didn't mind, that gave me more time at home to eat some more cake tonight! My thought was - cake is carbs and carbs are good for running -right?! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tina

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!

Today, me and Jeff slept in as much as we possibly could with three dogs in the house. I swear every morning we are able to sleep in, it seems like the dogs need to go potty a lot earlier than normal. Lucky for me, Jeff let me sleep in and he took care of the early morning potty break today since he knew I was flat exhausted from yesterday.

Then, even though it was Father's Day, Jeff got up and treated us to some homemade pancakes. Guess I should have made them since it was Father's Day and all, but they taste so much better when someone else makes them, don't you think?!

Today, day 33 of training, was a "rest day" so I was not required to run, walk, ride a bicycle or anything, which was good since my legs were wobbly from yesterday's run. "Rest Days" have quickly became my favorite day of the week! :) However, today being "Grocery Day" as well, we did make our normal run to the grocery store and grabbed all the deals for the week. We did pretty good, spending about $80 for right at $140 worth of groceries, so not a bad trip after all.

Then, I was pleased as punch when he suggested we go to Outback for dinner!!!! Outback is not one of Jeff's favorite places - - in fact, we have never been since we met back in 2007!! So, when he suggested it, I jumped on the chance faster than white on rice!!

Of course since it was Father's Day we had to wait about 50 minutes, but it was SOOOOO worth it. The best part you ask?????? Was this...............

Sidney's Sinful Sundae!!!!! It has to be hands down the best dessert I have ever had. I was completely stuffed after eating the Bloomin' Onion, the salad, and dinner, but I was not leaving Outback without having this dessert since it may be another 3 years before he is willing to go back!

We have our "Nutrition Counseling" with the TNT members this week. I am sure they will tell me this should not be on my diet for marathon training, but guess what? TOO BAD! I cannot wait to go back and have another already! Hubby almost thought I was going to pick up the bowl and lick the melted ice cream off the bottom, but I did hold back. :) - - barely.

Have a great week!

Tina

Another "Normal" Saturday Morning!

Day 32 of training and now I guess I can say this is my "Normal" Saturday morning routine: Up at 4:45 a.m., Run at 6:00 a.m. and then breakfast at Brueggers Bagels with the team! Two weeks in a row I have been up for this challenge and also managed to keep a smile on my face throughout the day with the family. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am NOT a morning person at all so for me to get up this early and not bite everyone's head off that I come in contact with is really something to brag about!

This week we did another 4 mile run, (4.4 miles to be exact). Was able to do this in just over 1 hour 10 minutes again for an approximate 17 minutes per mile pace. At least I have now slowed down! Still having some pain in my shins, but it is getting better. Out of the hour or so I was walking/running, this time I was able to get in a solid 30 minutes of running so I was pleased with myself. I did experience some foot numbness about halfway through but they loosened my laces and I was good to go. Tonight my hubby very affectionately told me my feet were "fat" today (swollen) which I guess is why my laces started strangling my feet halfway through my run.

As we do every Saturday morning, some of the team members headed over to Brueggers for bagels after our run which is always a good time and a good way for us slow runners to actually get to chat with the fast and longer distance runners since we really don't get to see much of them on the run route after about the first 30 seconds.

Once I got home from the run, I had a children's class scheduled for the kids to come over and make Father's Day cards and a gift for dad. The girls made a cute card with a little "King of the Grill" picture on the front and then made a bank that was filled with candy with a few cute sayings attached them. Such as the tootsie roll had a note that said "because you make me roll with laughter"; the Pay Day candy bar said "because you work so hard for us" and the M&Ms packages said "because I love you More & More each day". The kids enjoyed making them and I am sure the dads enjoyed eating all the candy - which I am sure the girls helped with that too! Although I love to teaching the classes, not sure I can keep up this pace of getting up bright and early, running, and then coming home to teach a class. Got to fit in a nap somewhere in there!

Then, Saturday night my cousin Joe was in town from California so we all met up at my mom's and had a nice visit chatting and catching up. By the time we chatted for a couple of hours, I was flat out exhausted and hit the road to head back home for a well deserved full night of sleep!

This running thing seems to be getting a LITTLE easier, but I still have a long ways to go to be able to complete the 13.1 mile journey in October. But, I will do it!

Tina

Day 16 - What a day!

As I indicated yesterday, dad was having his gall bladder surgery today. He was scheduled for 2:30 so my boss said I could leave and head to the hospital to see him when he came out of surgery, which was my plan all day. Luckily I called dad to chat before surgery this morning and let him know I'd be there and check in on him later, because after that, my day just pretty much went downhill.

I have been struggling with a lingering cough the last couple of months and 3 weeks ago the doctor had put me on some medication that was supposed to "knock it out". Told me if it returned after 2 weeks to call him immediately. Well, I finally called him today - I know - a week late - and told him as soon as I went off the medication the coughing returned and has progressively got worse. Made an appointment with the nurse to go see him next week. Five minutes later got another call back and said I couldn't wait til next week and I needed to be at his office by 4:00 today. Well - - no biggy, that gave me time to at least pop in to see dad when he got out of surgery at 3:00 and then rush to Summerville - WRONG!

Left work to head to hospital but was told by mom that dad would go straight to recovery until probably 4:00 or later. So......no seeing dad.

Went to doctor, where I was put on more medication for next 5 days and if that don't cut it, have to go for some further pulmonary testing. What fun!! Then while I was there and having to pay my $30 co-pay, figured I could kill two birds with one stone and went ahead and mentioned my leg pain assuming the doctor would simply say "push on girlie - you are simply out of shape!" Well, that ain't what he said. Instead, he said "Oh, you might have a stress fracture, let's send you for xrays." WHAT?!?! REALLY?!! I dont have time to sit and "rest" any more doc. So....there I went and hobbled off to xray and now I am doing more sitting and waiting for results. Grrrrr.

Came home to "lay down for 5 minutes" then will go see dad. Well, 2 1/2 hours later at 8:10 p.m. woke up. Where did my day go?!? Called dad and chatted with him, he seemed to be a little doped up but otherwise said he was doing fine and would be released in the morning and they had already had him up and walking the halls. Good news!

Tonight however, my legs (even the one I didn't have xray'd) was really bothering me. Remember yesterday how I said I was supposed to rest but made cards instead? I guess standing up on my legs for 3 hours at my craft table has taken its toll and wasn't a very good idea. :( Then again, I told you before I didn't do this "rest" thing very good.

So, here's to hoping the doctor will call me in the morning with a "clean bill of health" to return to running/walking tomorrow and my legs will feel like new when I wake up.

Tina

Day 15 - Presented with a Straight Jacket

Yes, you read that right. I came home from work today for my husband to present me with a "Straight Jacket". Lucky for me it was the model name of a pair of brand new Oakley Sunglasses that he bought for me to run in. LOL! (Although I still think I am crazy for doing this whole marathon training so either type of straight jacket at this point would probably have been in order!)

Anyhoo - I am always the one that buys the $10.00 glasses off the rack at Walgreens when I need sunglasses since I am constantly losing or breaking them. He said I needed a "good pair" of glasses so he surprised me with these today. Needless to say, they are not $10.00 glasses so I guess I need to sew them to my head so I don't lose them!

This was another "day of rest" as far as walking/running goes. Hopefully by tomorrow will be back up and running. So, since I could not run, figured I better take this evening to design cards for my upcoming card class I am giving on Saturday. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!!

Thanks for everyone's support by providing fundraising for this event. Hope I can get back on my feet and make everyone proud.

Update on dad - got word this afternoon that dad met with the surgeon and they have scheduled him for gall bladder removal surgery tomorrow afternoon so off to the hospital I will head after lunch tomorrow! Stay tuned......


Tina

Day 11 - Meet Charlie

OOPS - I posted Day 11's update mistakenly on my other blog! For today's update you will have to click here since I can't figure out how to easily move the link to this blog and I dont have time to retype the whole thing! Sorry!! (For those looking for "marathon update" for today - dont even bother clicking - no training done on Day 11. However, if you are family and just want to be amused on our families daily life, feel free to click on over, and meet the new addition to our family!

Pumpkin Carving Time

Sorry ladies, no cute cards or projects today. Last night was "Family Night" with pumpkin carving on the agenda. So, since I did not get a chance to create last night, figured I'd at least share the photos of the carving events with you!

Hope you have a great day and do something fun that you want to do do! Tonight I am hoping to get ready for an upcoming workshop I have at my friend's Sharon's house and then hopefully have some time to also create some Thanksgiving treats. Stay tuned!

Tina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today was not only Memorial Day, but it also happened to be my mom's birthday!

While the rest of our familiy was up in Kentucky for the Memorial Day Festivities, we stuck around town. One of us had to work today, the new "driver" of the family decided she was going to take "kid brother" for his first ride with her with no adult supervision and go to lunch and the movies and leave ole mom at home alone. I didn't know whether to cry since I was going to be alone and my baby was growing up and venturing out in the world, or should I jump for joy since I had the house to myself for several hours today and I didn't have to drive anyone anywhere and drop off and pick-up. Let's just say I opted for the "Woo Hoo - I'm home alone!"

In the midst of trying to do a little cleaning (not much mind you), laundry (did get several piles of these done today) and cooking dinner for my mom for her birthday, I decided to put my last 3 weeks of cake decorating classes to the test and make my mom a birthday cake - - - including the dreaded Rose! (We have not learned this in class yet, that is this week's lessson.) However, I decided to ignore the "Do not attempt the rose on your own at home, that is for professionals" lecture from the teacher and go for it. Well, 2 cake mixes, 3 batches of made from scratch butter cream icing and 3 hours later I thought I did a pretty darn good job. Not perfect roses mind you, but when the entire family returned home this evening and my mom joined us for dinner, I did not once have to explain what the large pink blob was in the middle of the cake, they all knew they were roses and I even had one comment "That looks like you bought it from the store." Awwww, how sweet was that even if they may not have really meant it. :oD

Well, here is a picture of my cake. Perhaps after I am professionally trained in two days I can post a picture with more realistic looking roses, until then, I am happy with what I accomplished today!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Memorial Day and hope mom enjoyed her birthday!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....or maybe not.....

Actual Conversation:

Me: "Hey, did you see our new recycle bins?"

J: "No"

Me: "Well come here, let me show them to you." (walking to the garage, showing the bins.......)

J: "Why? We don't recycle."

....hmmmmm.....We shall see if we learn to recycle or not.......what do you think will happen? Geez.