Over the weekend I was in Indianapolis for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon and Finish Line 5K. I did the 5K along with my sister-in-law Sandy. Doing the Mini (it's a 1/2 marathon or 13.1 mile race) was my husband Steve, our friend Daryl, my sister-in-law Sharon (her first 1/2 marathon), her husband Jeff, and Sandy's husband Ruben.
We had so much fun trying new restaurants, competing in the events, and just spending time together. Steve and I had a suite in the downtown Hilton--he received an upgrade because he is "gold card" member. What fun--15 floors with a great view, large living/dining area, 2 bathrooms and a bedroom.
I bought a shirt that has "Dream Believe Achieve" on it. It's inspiring me along my journey training for a half marathon in October (the Rock 'N' Roll St. Louis). I finished the 5K in a little over 42 minutes. Not bad, but I know I can achieve more. Since I am approaching a milestone birthday in November, I feel compelled to challenge myself more and live life more fully.
Everyone--you too can Dream, Believe, and Achieve!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Going a Little Crazy!
Why can't life slow down just a little? It seems so much needs to be done right now! I am trying to work out more so I can get in shape and prepare for a half marathon in October. The first "step" is a 5K in Indy this weekend. Am I looking forward to it? Yes, I am. I will not be racing it, but am doing it with friends. Just for fun, but we must also complete it in less than 55 minutes. I can and will do that!
What else is going on? We are nearing the end of the school semester. Since I teach composition classes, that means lots of papers to grade. Time and energy must be applied. The last day of school for me is May 15 and grades due by the following Monday.
We want to get our garden planted soon, but need to finish preparing the soil and buying the plants. I also need to transplant some herbs (buy potting soil, new pots, and then buy the basil). Gardening is something I have come to look forward to each spring.
Eric (our younger son) is graduating from SIU on May 12! We will be attending his graduation on that day, then going back on the 13th to move him out of his residence hall room.
Also on May 12, Kelly (our older son's fiancee) is having a bridal shower at our house. No need to explain all that needs to be done for that.
The weekend after that Steve (husband) is doing an Olympic distance triathlon at Carlyle Lake. That day will be spent getting up super early, hanging out at the lake (always warm and humid).
After that will be the final prep for Andrew and Kelly's wedding (June 2). We have family coming in, so all house projects and cleaning need to be done by Memorial Day.
The final "big" event of June is Steve's Ironman in Idaho in late June. We are flying out and renting a house. Lots of fun touristy activities before and after the event.After that, I will collapse for a few days!
What else is going on? We are nearing the end of the school semester. Since I teach composition classes, that means lots of papers to grade. Time and energy must be applied. The last day of school for me is May 15 and grades due by the following Monday.
We want to get our garden planted soon, but need to finish preparing the soil and buying the plants. I also need to transplant some herbs (buy potting soil, new pots, and then buy the basil). Gardening is something I have come to look forward to each spring.
Eric (our younger son) is graduating from SIU on May 12! We will be attending his graduation on that day, then going back on the 13th to move him out of his residence hall room.
Also on May 12, Kelly (our older son's fiancee) is having a bridal shower at our house. No need to explain all that needs to be done for that.
The weekend after that Steve (husband) is doing an Olympic distance triathlon at Carlyle Lake. That day will be spent getting up super early, hanging out at the lake (always warm and humid).
After that will be the final prep for Andrew and Kelly's wedding (June 2). We have family coming in, so all house projects and cleaning need to be done by Memorial Day.
The final "big" event of June is Steve's Ironman in Idaho in late June. We are flying out and renting a house. Lots of fun touristy activities before and after the event.After that, I will collapse for a few days!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Emilia--the newest family member
My son Andrew and his fiance Kelly have adopted a puppy, half lab and half pit bull. Here name is Emilia, and I am proud to call her my grandpuppy. She is very playful and sweet. They have brought her over to our house a few times. She is getting used to us (at this moment I am puppy sitting). The only ones who are not thrilled with her are our two cats. They have both hissed at her, but mostly they give her space.
She is napping in our cat Shadow's cat bed, which has made Shadow a little upset. Soon, however, Emilia will be bigger than they are and will run the house when she visits. I love dogs but haven't had one of my own since 2000. This new addition has added a new element to our family.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
An Influential Book
Since I am an avid reader, I could name many books that have influenced me in some way. For this post, however, I will discuss only one. It's Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too: Eating to Be Sexy, Fit, and Fabulous! Yes, the title is long, but the book is fairly short and a quick read.
The author is chef and restaurant owner Melissa Kelly. She is from an Italian American family and relates many family stories as well as her experiences as a chef. I have been re-reading this book because it has so many great tips and recipes.
One point she makes is about the social aspect of eating in her family as well as in the Mediterranean culture. When we make meals a social "event" as well as nourishment, the meal is more satisfying and we tend to eat less. I have noticed that is true with me. Even on Thanksgiving, when I cooked for a dozen people and there were so many dishes, I did not eat too much. There was so much energy in the room, so much to talk about and share, I actually ate less. When I eat alone or eat with my husband in front of the TV, I tend to eat more and usually enjoy the meal less.
Melissa makes the point to eat at the table, to turn off the TV or other distractions, focus on the food and the companionship. When I do that, I do have a more enjoyable meal. It's easy to eat on the run, eat in front of the TV or PC or even with my phone in hand.
This book is not a diet book; it's a book about enjoying life, fresh food, family, and friends. It's inspirational. I am going to try to live more like the Mediterranean culture, right here in my Midwestern town.
If you want to see more about this book, go to Amazon. Right now the book is bargain priced and well worth every penny!
The author is chef and restaurant owner Melissa Kelly. She is from an Italian American family and relates many family stories as well as her experiences as a chef. I have been re-reading this book because it has so many great tips and recipes.
One point she makes is about the social aspect of eating in her family as well as in the Mediterranean culture. When we make meals a social "event" as well as nourishment, the meal is more satisfying and we tend to eat less. I have noticed that is true with me. Even on Thanksgiving, when I cooked for a dozen people and there were so many dishes, I did not eat too much. There was so much energy in the room, so much to talk about and share, I actually ate less. When I eat alone or eat with my husband in front of the TV, I tend to eat more and usually enjoy the meal less.
Melissa makes the point to eat at the table, to turn off the TV or other distractions, focus on the food and the companionship. When I do that, I do have a more enjoyable meal. It's easy to eat on the run, eat in front of the TV or PC or even with my phone in hand.
This book is not a diet book; it's a book about enjoying life, fresh food, family, and friends. It's inspirational. I am going to try to live more like the Mediterranean culture, right here in my Midwestern town.
If you want to see more about this book, go to Amazon. Right now the book is bargain priced and well worth every penny!
Monday, April 2, 2012
My Little Fitbit
I am not a natural athlete. However, I do want to be more fit and make working out/exercising a part of my routine. The big problem is I let other tasks take priority over my workouts. I am good at making excuses.
To show myself how much exercise I am getting, and to motivate myself to do more, I got a FitBit (http://www.fitbit.com/), a little device that I wear. It's like a super pedometer. It tracks my steps taken, my total mileage traveled on foot (walk, jog, run), calories burned, floors climbed (stairs). Through the fitbit web site, I have my personal dashboard where I can see the data from the fitbit (it uploads wirelessly) in various forms (daily, weekly, monthly) as well as providing me a place to log in my food intake, other workouts (biking, elliptical, swimming), and write in a journal. The fitbit can even track sleep patterns!
I was a little doubtful how useful this device would be, but in the last 17 days I have had it, I have been impressed and surprised. I like seeing what I have done (or not done), how much I really walk at school (not as much as I thought), and how many stairs I walk (more than I thought). When I mowed the lawn today, I got to see how many steps I took (over 7,200).
The Fitbit site sends me "badges" when I achieve milestones like my first 10,000 step day, walking the equivalent of 10 floors of stairs in one day. It took me 15 days to walk/jog 50 miles (yes, I got a "badge"). That is something I never would have tracked on my own.
If you need a little nudge to get moving, or want to track your progress easily, check out the Fitbit.
To show myself how much exercise I am getting, and to motivate myself to do more, I got a FitBit (http://www.fitbit.com/), a little device that I wear. It's like a super pedometer. It tracks my steps taken, my total mileage traveled on foot (walk, jog, run), calories burned, floors climbed (stairs). Through the fitbit web site, I have my personal dashboard where I can see the data from the fitbit (it uploads wirelessly) in various forms (daily, weekly, monthly) as well as providing me a place to log in my food intake, other workouts (biking, elliptical, swimming), and write in a journal. The fitbit can even track sleep patterns!
I was a little doubtful how useful this device would be, but in the last 17 days I have had it, I have been impressed and surprised. I like seeing what I have done (or not done), how much I really walk at school (not as much as I thought), and how many stairs I walk (more than I thought). When I mowed the lawn today, I got to see how many steps I took (over 7,200).
The Fitbit site sends me "badges" when I achieve milestones like my first 10,000 step day, walking the equivalent of 10 floors of stairs in one day. It took me 15 days to walk/jog 50 miles (yes, I got a "badge"). That is something I never would have tracked on my own.
If you need a little nudge to get moving, or want to track your progress easily, check out the Fitbit.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Favorite TV Spies & Agents
When thinking about fictional spies and cops, many might name James Bond first. Not me. I love TV spies and agents. They are handsome, brave, romantic, and adventurous. Who are my favorites?
1. Chuck Bartowski from Chuck. Chuck was played by Zachary Levi. This show just ended its 5-year run. A computer geek turned spy who is both sexy and nerdy. The show was so fun--a real mix of action, comedy, and drama.
2. Lee Stetson (Scarecrow) from Scarecrow and Mrs.King. Stetson was played by Bruce Boxleitner. This ran from 1983-87 (yes, it's dating me), and it also had Kate Jackson. The show took place when Russia was the USSR and there were more communist countries. Scarecrow was a great spy and a ladies' man until Jackson's character (Mrs. King) tamed him.
3. Michael Weston from Burn Notice. Weston is played by Jeffrey Donovan. This USA Network show has great action, a real spy hero who still has a heart and a conscience. We even get lessons in how to blow up buildings w/o getting caught! The Miami setting is great too.
4. Agent Fritz Howard from The Closer. He may not get start billing with his TV wife Brenda Lee Johnson Kyra Sedgwick), but Jon Tenney is one handsome and sexy agent. He loves Brenda and tolerates her putting him second to her job. And he loves cats!
5. Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds. Played by Shemar Moore, Morgan is tough yet caring. It's great how protective he is of Garcia. He is an agent I would want on my side.
1. Chuck Bartowski from Chuck. Chuck was played by Zachary Levi. This show just ended its 5-year run. A computer geek turned spy who is both sexy and nerdy. The show was so fun--a real mix of action, comedy, and drama.
2. Lee Stetson (Scarecrow) from Scarecrow and Mrs.King. Stetson was played by Bruce Boxleitner. This ran from 1983-87 (yes, it's dating me), and it also had Kate Jackson. The show took place when Russia was the USSR and there were more communist countries. Scarecrow was a great spy and a ladies' man until Jackson's character (Mrs. King) tamed him.
3. Michael Weston from Burn Notice. Weston is played by Jeffrey Donovan. This USA Network show has great action, a real spy hero who still has a heart and a conscience. We even get lessons in how to blow up buildings w/o getting caught! The Miami setting is great too.
4. Agent Fritz Howard from The Closer. He may not get start billing with his TV wife Brenda Lee Johnson Kyra Sedgwick), but Jon Tenney is one handsome and sexy agent. He loves Brenda and tolerates her putting him second to her job. And he loves cats!
5. Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds. Played by Shemar Moore, Morgan is tough yet caring. It's great how protective he is of Garcia. He is an agent I would want on my side.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I am From...
I am from the marble top dining room table
From I.D. cards and moving vans
I am from multiple homes, an Air Force nomad
I am from the Sweet Gum tree
Whose tall stature shaded me
I am from clarinet and student yearbook
From McCollum and Elam
I am from strict, generous
And social
I am from the golden rule
I am from Bessie and Betty
From stodge and butterscotch pie
From being scalped by an Indian
And serving in World War II
My doggy bank
I am from those moments and more
From I.D. cards and moving vans
I am from multiple homes, an Air Force nomad
I am from the Sweet Gum tree
Whose tall stature shaded me
I am from clarinet and student yearbook
From McCollum and Elam
I am from strict, generous
And social
I am from the golden rule
I am from Bessie and Betty
From stodge and butterscotch pie
From being scalped by an Indian
And serving in World War II
My doggy bank
I am from those moments and more
Monday, January 16, 2012
The new semester is upon us
Where did time go? It seems just last week I was grading portfolios and getting ready for Christmas. Now it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and spring classes start tomorrow.
Break was good, a welcome reprieve from the routine of classes and prepping and grading. I so enjoyed spending extra time with my family, sleeping in occasionally, and catching up on a few shows I DVR'd. I enjoyed a different routine, and I thought about spring classes.
Now the thinking has been turned into action. Finalizing the syllabus, assignments, and activities. Preparing for a new routine. Change is good, which is one reason I enjoy teaching. Twice a year I meet new people and have a new start with classes. I can mix up assignments, swap a textbook that didn't work well, and try a new schedule. This time I have one online class and two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My school day begins at 12:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 a.m.
To everyone starting fresh, good luck to you!
Break was good, a welcome reprieve from the routine of classes and prepping and grading. I so enjoyed spending extra time with my family, sleeping in occasionally, and catching up on a few shows I DVR'd. I enjoyed a different routine, and I thought about spring classes.
Now the thinking has been turned into action. Finalizing the syllabus, assignments, and activities. Preparing for a new routine. Change is good, which is one reason I enjoy teaching. Twice a year I meet new people and have a new start with classes. I can mix up assignments, swap a textbook that didn't work well, and try a new schedule. This time I have one online class and two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My school day begins at 12:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 a.m.
To everyone starting fresh, good luck to you!
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