5/9/08

Oui for Jessi

I love this plate and had to grab a picture for Jessi, my "Oui" girl.

Photobucket

5/7/08

Where oh where could my MP3 player be???

So I remember exactly where I (think) I saw it last. I soaked in the tub for a little bit yesterday (not usually a fan of soaking in my own filth, but needed the heat on my aching body), I listened to it while I soaked. After my soak I went upstairs to get dressed and promptly fell asleep on the bed listening...

So, I pray to Saint Michael...no, Saint Andrew...Anthony! I pray to Saint Anthony to help me find my sanity...errr...MP3 player.


St. Anthony, St. Anthony
Please come down
Something is lost
And can't be found


or

Dear St. Anthony, I pray
Bring it back, without delay.


or

Something's lost and can't be found
Please, St. Anthony, look around.


Whichever, my MP3 is missing and I need it...or want it, very badly :)


It needs to be loaded up with some new "movement" music, as well as some of the old favorites (especially "I Run For Life" - I think it is especially appropriate considering). Let's face it, you can't run without music. Well, maybe some of you can...not me.

Which reminds me, thanks to Meghan T. for blogging about www.slacker.com. If you aren't aware of it, it is just like Sirius or XM but available online without any charge. I love it and it feeds my music hunger pretty well throughout the day. I can even play a selected artist (right now I am enjoying some Counting Crows and similar artists like The Wallflowers).

Eating to fuel

After reading Nicki's suggested site (www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) I have decided it can't be all that hard. What's 60 seconds of running, right?

Don't get me wrong, I know it will be hard and all those things I mentioned yesterday will happen. I will jiggle and breath heavy (if you haven't had the chance to read about my last encounter with working out, check it out here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=86633357&blogID=260109458&Mytoken=64EFF953-F8D7-4763-9F1B37E41204CAA326038130 - there is some language in there that I would never use here, just beware). However, I will not die. This will not kill me. I will survive!

So, I have scheduled myself for 3 nights of running 3 days a week through July - literally - I wrote it down in my planner. If I don't schedule it, it won't happen. I will schedule around it, I will find reasons I don't have to do it...so I write it in. 8pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday - from now until July - starting next Monday (there is no way it is going to happen this week - especially not with the auction happening).

Next stop: Jog Bra. Any suggestions? Alex? Hehe, just kidding :)

And, most importantly, I need to eat for fuel. There is no way I am going to be able to run like this on DD's donuts and ice cream. My diet needs a complete revamp. More protein, less sugar and simple carbs...oh man, I love my BJ's (you know, Ben and Jerry's), I love my Lindt chocolates (thank YOU auction)...I am a sugaraholic - no joke.

I can do this. It is not like I have never done this before. It is not like I don't know how to do this. Of all people, I am a PRO at knowing how to do this. Holding myself accountable...that is a different story...

5/6/08

Dreams of running

Lately I have been dreaming of running. I'm not running from anything or even towards anything in particular. I am running for the shear enjoyment of running. Anyone who knows anything about me probably knows that I am not a runner...I am not even a fast walker. But I wake with a desire to run and enjoy it.

At the onset of adulthood I began a never ending struggle with my weight. About 3 years ago I lost 100lbs. I have, slowly, crept right back to where I was. Running right now seems like a near impossible feat. In fact, walking fast right now has become tough...

Last night I dreamt that after I got Andrew off to school I threw on a pair of sweats and hit the trails. I ran with ease, no heavy breathing, no gasping for air, no cramps, I just loved it - every minute of it. Soon after getting Andrew on the bus reality hit me - it will not be easy, it will not be fun, I will not glide and things will jiggle (much to my dismay).

I don't like things that are not easy. I don't like things that I am not good at. I am a brat - plain and simple. Rather than work at it until I get better, I stomp my foot, fuss and whine (even if only in my head) and wait for something to make it easier.

This fall, after climbing Mount Major with a team raising money for breast cancer, I was talking to a "co-worker" about how tough it was. He explained that he use to run it twice a day...Then, this afternoon, I read Jessi's blog announcing her plan to run the Manchester Marathon in November.

What makes them different from me? I am good at a number of things, I work hard, I want to succeed...I want to run. I want to love running and know that I am doing good things for my body, soul and mind.

So...where do I start?

5/2/08

Busy, busy, busy!!

So much happening, so little time to sit down and post!

Embracing Autism is making HUGE strides! I have never been more proud to be part of something! We have held three fundraisers and made well over $1000! This is huge!

This money is seed money to be sure that our August Autism Awareness/Family Day goes off without a hitch! We have so many plans and want to be sure that this day is all about the families. This little bit of money will help us make that happen.

We have also been in contact with some families that really need our help. If nothing else, they need to hear from someone that they are not alone.

One family has a 3 year old that was just diagnosed with autism. She doesn't have any idea what to do. He is the sweetest little boy who allowed me to pick him up, hold him and rock him...it was heart melting. She is looking for a computer for her son to use. He has shown some interest but they can't afford one. Thanks to www.freecycle.org I was able to find a Dell Notebook and will be bringing it to her this weekend! I am SO excited! I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

Moving on...yesterday I made a $600 deposit on my office space. I have found two wonderful women to share the other office. I am really excited about the changes! We will be painting and redecorating and making the place look brand new (or at least like some major changes have taken place).

One of the best things to come of Mark's move was my rent payment. Although the landlords went up on the rent, now that I have two people sharing his old office, I am paying less. Perfect! So, thank you all for the support you offered me, it certainly is turning out better than I could have imagined!

"Bid High, Bid Often"...tonight is the start of the 35th Annual New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV) Auction! If you live in NH and you don't know what this is, you are missing out!

Every spring, NHPTV holds a live, on-air auction. The auction is FULL of donated things from across NH and the country. Everything from overnight stays to t-shirts to baseball cards to MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES (that's right, a gift certificate of mine is being auctioned off every night).

While watching the auction is huge fun, BEING there is a completely different ball game! For the past 5 years (I think) I have volunteered a night or more of my time. It has gradually increased over the years from one night, to two, to 6, to whenever they need me :) This year I will be working both weekends, double shifts. I will be there when the auction starts (6pm) and stay as long as they are on air (12am or so).

So, keep your eyes peeled, I will be there, waving at the camera, working hard (bidding harder) and enjoying every minute!

Take me out to the ballgame...baseball season is here! Zachary has been practicing since before the snow was off the fields and tonight is his first game. He also has a game tomorrow afternoon AND school in the morning. Crazy! He is going to be one tired little man come 8am Monday morning!

If you are interested in getting to one of his games and need a schedule please let me know. While most games are here in Wolfeboro we do have one in Wakefield.

I keep score during the games (it can be tricky but since I did it last year the coach is counting on me). I really hope these kiddos are a bit better behaved than last year's...keeping score also means watching them in the dugout, getting them in line up, etc, etc. It'll be a great year.

So, keep your eyes out for me on NHPTV (Channel 11 for most of you) this weekend and next. Bid high, bid often! Enjoy the spring weather, get out to a baseball game!