Thursday, June 28, 2012

Hangry...

OMGAW was I hungry today…a hungry me does not do the world good.  Granted I tend to think of the hunger pains as little pissed off blobs eating away at my fat and doing me a big favor, but straight up, sometimes I think I would rather be fat and content than skinny and hangry.  Well, actually, let’s be real.  I don’t want to be skinny either.  I am striving for healthy, and athletic.  Luckily, I am well on my way to both!!!!  (Insert positive thoughts here!)

And let’s get real.  It’s not easy.  Moderation, exercising, all that crazy crap.  It’s hard.  But it’s worth it.  And once you get in to the swing of things, it definitely gets easier.  I think I am making progress towards the “this shit’s getting easier” mentality.  I am taking steps and making strides to be healthy.  Slow and steady, but steady is the key word.  I have been working on this for over a year.  I have had many successes, on top of many setbacks, but I have continued on.  And that’s what it takes!  I am DOING, not sitting back and watching. 

So instead of reaching into the cookie jar and undoing all of my healthy eating when the HANGRY attack happened, I opted to run to the store and buy a pack of strawberries!  Yeah I ate the whole pack but it was still probably 1/6th of the calories in a big cookie.  And I feel satisfied and content.  Shit, I feel happy in my choice!  If only there was a word for Happy and Content!

Now this weekend, I am headed up Nort to my friends home.  I am so excited to relax and get in some quality hang out time.  Both of us watch what we eat so we can help motivate each other to eat good, and we have decided that Friday night we will enjoy some drinks and give ourselves a break by not counting the points of our drinks.  It’s about moderation and for me, that’s what works best!

Plus I’ll make sure to get in a lot of water action this weekend!

In foot new, I had an X-Ray today and should get those results tomorrow.  I am praying that all looks good so I can at least continue on the rehabilitation track and start getting more exercise in.  My doctor also gave me a referral to a Physical therapist by my work and I am so going to jump on that offer. 

The next month will be busy, but I am looking forward to July.  June was good, but it had it’s down moments.  Here’s to a great month ahead!  I am looking forward to it!

And shout out to my dad!  That awesome bugger bought my Graduation Cap and gown.  That’s right folks!  This chica graduates at the end of July!  I passed my last class, and with a 4.0! 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Turn that frown...


And that I did! 

I was feeling pretty darn blue yesterday.  But I remedied it with the following
  • A cupcake break with my dad.
  • A loving phone call from my awesome husband at the perfect moment…he generally knows exactly what to say to flip my frowns.
  • An email from my grandma.
  • A 1 mile swim with my sister.
  • An impromptu dinner with my mom and sister.
  • All of this followed by a big bear hug from my hubby! 

It turned out to be a great day and I feel like my head is screwed on just a little bit straighter!

Reading the above also makes me realize that I would be pretty much lost without my amazing family!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Feeling the blues...

Today I feel off...ugh.  Seriously, like I just want to speak in ridiculous gibberish and get out some frustration: gsaefvorinvajkosdrngvjosndrjdfnsdjf smadf sdm, msdf vvfvk dfkv fd...meh, didn't help. 

I am itching....NO, going crazy with desire, to get out for a good run.  I feel so deprived in that area and it sucks.  It gets me down in the "Oscar the Grouch" dumps. 

I went swimming last week, and it was fun, but it wasn't enough.  I think tonight I am going to do the 30 day shred and just avoid any of the foot activities.  Or maybe I just need to hunker down and bust my butt swimming.  Or maybe I just need to go home and go to bed.  Ugh, I'm indecisive. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't want, nor will I, put pressure on my foot to heal faster (and essentially lead to not healing).  I want to give it all the time in the world.  I want to baby the shit out of it so I can get back to running and start that goal I made last month of running 12 5K's in 12 months.  But I am getting impatient.  Thursday will be the one month mark since I sprained my ankle.  I definitely did not think it would still be this stiff and swollen. 

Last night I wanted to see what my foot looks like in my wedges...ugh, not good!


And on top of my self-loathing and pity over my foot, I have a list of things I want to accomplish and I don't seem to be making any headway.  I want to sit down and create a hard core budget, one that lists out all of our bills, monthly income, what have you.  Since our income has increased, we need to get smarter about it.  I want to finish some projects that I have started.  I want to clean and organize and purge crap that we just don't need to hang on to. 

Oh yeah, and I might as well add the painful pimple growing right below my nose to my list...Did I miss something?  Am I still in high school?

I just have some things in life that I want to get figured out, and I kind of feel like I am at a stand still right now.  And I am kind of over feeling that way. 

So yeah, I really don't bitch and moan too much, but today was a good day to get it off my chest.

And I suppose now I need to be smart about it and get productive tonight!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Sittin with honey on my face...

Right now, I'm just chilling in my living room, watching some tv, with a little honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon on my face.

Don't believe me....here's proof!


Next time I will actually follow directions and make a thick paste, but for tonight, this will do.  

And I would like to thank Pintrest and this lovely blog for my nighttime adventure!  In addition to a nice tingly feeling, I am enjoying the occasional lip lick....mmmmmm....a bit like a mulled Arnie Palmer!

Gute Nacht!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Adventures in Alaska...Part 4


If you missed the first three installments, you can catch up here (or maybe you need a refresher because it has taken me forever to finish it!):


The Tuesday of vacation was interesting.  I woke up ridiculously sore.  My arms, my legs, my thighs, and my butt.  All the scooting, hopping, and arms over the shoulders of tall ass men had taken their toll on my unfit muscles.  The crutches also proved to be a joy, and a pain.  I could walk, sure, but my palms and arms were sore as hell and my one foot hated being the only man on the job.  I was determined, however, to not let this wreck my vacation. So I did what any person with a sprained ankle would do…I went on a small hike. 

Photo by Laine

And then we went shopping.

And then off to a coffee shop and a friend’s house for dinner. 

Photo by Laine

In hindsight, it was probably a bit much.  But seriously, how could I waste a day in Alaska with my foot elevated above my heart…I was not taking this trip laying down.  But I would imagine a few peeps would have preferred me resting at home rather than dealing with my crabby ass Tuesday night.  My foot was in pain, and I was just out of it.  Straight up sat on a coach and watched 2-3 hours of Cupcake Wars…while on vacation in Alaska…ridic! 

Wednesday morning my mother-in-law came home with a wheel chair she had rented!  Woot woot!  Mobile again, but in a more “beneficial to the healing process” way.  I could stay off my feet but still enjoy the vacation.  That day we went to see where Laine works and then we did a scavenger hunt she put together.  It was a blast!  We got to see the town, decipher some clues, and have a few chuckles on behalf of pushing a wheel chair around downtown Juneau in the rain.

Photo by Laine

The rest of the days sort of blur, but the memories don't.  We got to see Laine’s softball team play a double header.  They are the best softball team in Alaska...or is it the opposite of that?!  Guess if anyone wants to find out, they will just have to go visit her!

We visited a salmon hatchery, and went to the Alaskan Brewery for some taste testing and a video presentation.    We shopped the small, local shops, and saw an amazing Folk Band...still kicking myself for not buying their cd!

And before we knew it, it was time to head home.  I wish I can say that I wasn't ready to leave, but I kept thinking about how I was ready to go home, and start planning my return trip for when I am back to my active self.  I knew it would be hard to leave Laine, and it was.  I love being with family, and it's always hard to realize how far we are from each other, but it is also such a realization that we are always only a few plane rides away.   

It was a blast, and I can't wait to go back!  

Monday, June 18, 2012

Promises...

I promise I will post the last post in my Alaskan adventure in the next few days.  I have been busy healing...oh, and finishing my graduate degree!  Depending on the grade I get, I finished graduate school last Friday!!!!  It feels insanely freeing!  Like, no problem baking at 10 pm freeing.  And, watch a shit load of tv freeing....it has been nice.  And I feel accomplished.  Have a great Tuesday!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Dads...

Dad's are pretty cool!  And today was a day just for them!

Whether it's my dad, or Chaz's, we have both been insanely blessed!  

I would be lost without the love and support my dad has provided me over the years.  He is always there to listen and give advice, and his dry sense of humor is top of the line.  I am lucky enough to have inherited that!  

My dad has taught me so much and I am the person I am today thanks to him!  His kindness, grace, and love, not just towards his family but humanity in general, is something to aspire to.  He is a man that many respect and one they look up to.  I know I certainly do!




Chaz looks up to his dad like no other, and respects the words of wisdom he imparts on him.  I am so thankful that Chaz has such an example in his life  Denis is a wonderful man with a kind soul.  He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need and he has certainly been there for both of us when we have needed.

He is insanely funny and outgoing and can get the whole room laughing.   He is truly a unique individual with a bright soul who can light up a room!




Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, but especially the two very best I know!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Adventures in Alaska...Part 3

I'll have one more wrap up after this...a trip of this stature deserves a 4 part series...especially since it ends with my mother-in-law pushing me up a hill in a wheel chair!  Huh, did I just give something away?!

My Alaskan vacation took a slightly negative turn when I fell on the trail.  Like I said, I fell into a twig bush, which led to a lot of external noise, but I heard something pop inside too.  That immediately scared the crap out of me. 

Once I was on my good foot, we all started to come up with action plans of how to get back.  Well not all of the terrain covered was intense, there certainly were areas that were.  And many areas were quite narrow. 

We started the trek back, once I had relaxed, with me placing my arms around Chaz and our new friend Caz  (Chaz and Caz…lol), and hopping on my one foot.  Very quickly my arms started hurting from the strain of having them around two tall guys, and the leg muscles in my right leg were on fire from carrying the weight of my body while hopping.  I knew the weight and maneuvering was not efficient for the guys either.  One or the other generally could not see their footing and there were a few instances where they too just about slipped. 

In areas where it was up hill or rocky, I would get on my butt and scoot up.  This was a rest for me and the guys.  I have the hardest time accepting help, especially when it requires the other person to put in so much time and effort.  And well my arms were certainly feeling everything, there was just something easier about doing it myself. 

We had to take many breaks due to exhaustion or difficult terrain.  It took us like 45 minutes to do a half a mile.  At this pace, with about 2 miles left, I knew that A. I would be exhausted (not to mention the guys) and B. It would probably turn dark and the wolves would eat us (well, me…I imagine everyone else would run).  Turns out since it stays light in Juneau till about 11:00pm, B probably wasn’t going to happen so Caz kept pushing us to just keep going and take the trail as slowly as we needed to. 

As luck would have it, the trail butted up to a beautiful and quiet lake, which occurs due to the run off of the glaciers.  There was a small rocky beach that came in to view and all I could think of was sitting on that beach and not moving.  Luckily, we took a break at the beach, and everyone continued to brainstorm. 

Since it rained on and off,
my legs were covered with a rain coat to stay warm.

My father in law and Caz hiked the shore line to see if there was any possibility of walking that instead of the trail.  My sister in law was on the phone trying to call the visitor center to see if they had a boat (for some reason it is hard reaching people on Memorial Day!), and I was dreaming about how nice it would be if one of the helicopters giving an aerial tour above us would stop and scoop my friends and I up. 

Luckily they returned with the news that Caz had called a friend in town who just happened to have his canoe strapped to his car and was on his way up.  Thank the Heavens Alaska is full of outdoorsy people!  I was beyond stoked.  I was so thankful there was water transportation coming and that I, and those carrying me, wouldn't have to endure the most intense workout I have ever experienced.  

The canoe arrived, the guys cracked a beer, and we headed towards the beach where the cars were parked!   

The girls in the group had gotten a head start before the canoe arrived (those not in the canoe had to hike back!), and the boys arrived shortly after we arrived (they took of once we were in the water).  

Laine snapped this pic of our arrival!

Insanely happy-Photo by Laine

Then we had to decide whether to hit up the Urgent Care, or the ER.  We decided on Urgent care since it was closer.  We arrived at Urgent Care somewhere around six.  The Open sign was on, but the place looked dark.  We pulled up and checked the hours....they closed at 5 on Holidays...who ever turns off the sign at the end of the day obviously had grilling and beer on the brain!  I don't blame them.  

So it was off to the hospital.  The moment we arrived was immediately added to my list of Insanely happy moments! Right up there with my wedding day!  (I kid, I kid!)

It didn't take long to get checked in.  The receptionist/nurse was from the MN....she for sure favored us!  And the X-ray tech was from the MN too...but he didn't melt in the palm of my hand as much as the receptionist.  She even came to my room when her shift was over to say good bye!  Golden! 

But the rest of the hospital visit was no where near as quick as check in.  I believe I hurt my ankle around 2pm, arrived at the Hospital a little after six, and finally left a bit after 9pm.  It was quite the experience.   I spent over an hour sitting in the hospital room.  And Chaz thought it was just a hoot that the calendar behind me had a picture of the Glacier we were hiking to.  Bitches!


By the time everything was wrapped up and all the i's were dotted, I got to leave, but not without some wonderful new accessories!


But let's not focus on the crutches.  Let's focus on the blurry picture of my amazing husband.  While I don't have pictures of him carrying me, he did...And he was there every step of the way, providing support and love.  Not to mention the undivided attention I received in the days following...but I'll fill you in on that in the next and last recap!

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

bleh...

Today is National Running Day.  eff

I did what any person with a bum foot would do.  I put on my running clothes, running shoes, and my nifty lace up cast. I snapped a picture (and secretly wished I was running my ass off outside).


Then I stripped out of my running clothes and hopped in the bath.  Whatev's...On the positive side, I am walking completely off crutches.  I am slow...(huh, just like I run!)...but I am making progress!

P.S. I spent the night working on school work...I will continue the Alaskan Adventure Series tomorrow night!  I like to keep my peeps on pins and needles!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Just a quick note...

I know I am in the middle of talking about my Alaskan adventure but I have had some other things on my mind.

A bum anything generally means for me little exercise.  And vacation generally means for me unhealthy eating.  While I didn't eat insanely horrible on this trip, I did eat a lot of carbs, and I can certainly feel it.  But it's hard to not be able to get down with my bad self and exercise...I have always been one who needs to watch what I eat, and exercise.  But since I can't exercise as intensely as usual, I am going to make it a goal to watch what I eat even more than usual.  This means I am going to track everything in my WW tracker.

So tomorrow morning, I will weigh in as usual.  I will watch my food intake all week, and on Thursday, I am going to re-join the Y and start getting my swim on while I work on getting my ankle back into tip top shape.

Wish me luck!  I know it can be done.  I saw a great WW commercial tonight featuring Jennifer Hudson.  I needed to hear her message.  She said to tell yourself you can do it, and not listen to the self-doubt that can eat away at our motivation in our mind.  Thanks Jen...you hit a cord with me!

Adventures in Alaska...Part 2

Monday morning when we arrived at 4am, Laine met us at the Port.  It was so great seeing her!  We hadn't seen her since Christmas vacation.  And we were super stoked she pulled herself out of bed at 4am after spending the weekend at a Brewfest!

She took us to the hostel she works at and we all crashed for a few hours.  Possibly the best sleep ever!

We ran a few errands, and Laine showed us around her town a bit, then we headed off to West Glacier trail for a hefty hike.

It was a bit rainy, and cloudy, as seems to be the usual weather for Juneau, but the scenery makes up for that.  It was just beautiful to be surrounded by the most pristine mountains I have ever seen.

The beginning of the trail was pretty smooth and wide.  It definitely crossed my mind a few times that this trail would be a piece of cake if it stayed like this.

Then it started getting a little steeper, and the path turned from dirt and rock to simply rock in many areas. The rocks were a bit slick, but we all had great boots on so I just kept trucking along.  In fact, I felt great.  It was a powerful feeling to be huffing along in the beauty of that trail, taking it all in and just plain being active in nature. I'm sure that sounds corny, but it's probably the best way to describe how I felt.

And then, I probably got a little to confident in my hiking abilities.  I started keeping pace with the head of the pack (our group included 7 people and a dog).  And as I jumped up on a rock ledge to move to the next height, my right foot lost its footing, leaving my left foot to support my body as I fell off the rock ledge.  I landed on a branch filled bush, which made a shit load of snapping noises, and scared the crap out of those behind me.  I am pretty sure  no one with me heard my ankle pop (only the branches cracking), but I certainly did.

I knew right away that something was wrong, but still tried to stay cool and keep my composure till I knew for sure if something was wrong.  Chaz helped me get up, and as I started to put pressure on my left foot, a sharp pain shot up my leg on both sides.  That's when I lost my shit.  Straight up bawling!  I think I said something along the lines of I did something really bad.

And I did, but it could have been worse.  I will tell you though, it's not easy getting through a trail with only one leg.  Wanna know how I got back?!?!?  You'll have to check back later for the next part of the story!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Adventures in Alaska...Part 1

Alaska was a blast!  I am definitely coming off of a high and have the "just got back from vacation blues"....I suppose it doesn't help that I have a bum foot, but going back to work today was hard.  I didn't go in until noon, and by 3 pm I was ready to blow that popsicle stand but I stuck it out.  

And the foot thing, well that's just one little (well, actually a big) part of the vacation, but I'll start from the beginning.

Our trip started out on Friday May 25th.  We flew to Seattle via Denver and hopped on a bus for a three hour ride to the ferry port.  When we arrived, Terri met us right away and we quickly met up with Denis.

We chilled for a bit while the cars were loaded onto the ferry, and once we got on the ferry, we got to enjoy watching the people set up tents on the decks of the ferry.  You can pay for a cabin, or set up a tent/sleep on chairs under a closure and heat lamps.  It was quite the site!

We spent the weekend on the ferry, playing games, taking pictures, and relaxing.  Chaz and I got off in Ketchikan to enjoy the town for a few hours but other then that, we just stayed on the boat...it was just like a little cruise!

Port
Lovely scenery
I was even a good girl and snuck in a workout in my cabin! You can take that 30 Day shred bizzo anywhere!

Cabin

We arrived in Juneau on Memorial Day at 4am and headed to the hostel Laine works at to catch some z's!

Check back later for Part 2!