Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Highlights of the Week

The view on my Saturday run
Wow - what a busy few days!  Some highlights:

  • Thanksgiving Dinner - stuffing - pie - need I say more?
  • Chris's uncle M (a retired high school track coach) met us at the track and gave us a running evaluation and some recommendations.  It was fantastic and so helpful - thanks M!
  • We had a great 6+ mile run on the Bob Jones Trail in SLO; what a great run along the creek and out to the pier in Avila Beach.
  • We're packing up the office like mad at work for our big move to our new building in Menlo Park next week.  I'll have a new office all my own, Hmmm... now if I could just figure out the commute route.
  • Chris is winding up his second semester of Grad School - go Chris go!
  • My friend L invited me to try her 'Dailey Method' class today - it was so hard!  My arms and legs still feel like jello.  I signed up for unlimited classes for the rest of the month - we'll see if I can sculpt some great arms by Christmas!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful

The view on my morning run today, I just had to stop and take a picture
I am a lover of Thanksgiving - what a wonderful idea - a day to stop, spend time with your family, and think about what you have in your life to be thankful for.  Here are just a few things I'm thankful for this year:


- My wonderful husband - I am so proud of you.  I am amazed watching you working so hard both at work and at school, training for and completing your first and second triathlons, and seeing the wheels turn in that big old brain of yours.  I am awed that we passed our seven year mark of marriage - that passed so quickly!  I love that we find so much joy with each other and I could not have asked for a better partner in my life, thank you.


- Family - near and far.  Some are often seen - some rarely.  I love being a part of your lives and having you a part of mine.  You ground me and make me feel loved and cared about no matter what is going on in my life, thank you.


- Friends - some of you have become a second family to me, one that I have been privileged to know and be a part of.  This year brought wonderful events from weddings and births, to simple everyday joys like walks for coffee, sitting in the grass, talking about our goals and dreams, thank you.


- My work - how many people can say that they truly love what they do and that they feel 100% that they are doing what they were meant to do?  I look forward to going to work and learning everyday, thank you.


- My health - I am so thankful that I am here, living life, striving to be better all the time.  I don't always succeed - but I have learned not to give up this year.  I learned a new way to eat & shed 45 pounds (!) and forced myself to commit to exercise by teaching myself to run again.  I've impressed myself by completing a few 5 Ks and my first 10 K.  For the first time in eight years I feel confident in my skin, thank you.

Monday, November 14, 2011

New Co-worker

New Guide Dog Puppy in training 'Cactus'
Meet 'Cactus' the new Guide Dog puppy in training that my office mate L just got.  She is sharing my office space and totally distracting me with her cuteness. 
Cactus wearing her Guide Dog puppy coat
Cactus will be raised by L for the next 18 months and will be acclimated to our work space, the community, and different situations.  After 18 months she will be evaluated by Guide Dogs for the Blind and will hopefully move on to training and assignment as an active Guide Dog.  


Click here to learn more about the Guide Dog Puppy Raising Program

Saturday, November 12, 2011

First 10K Completed

Here I am (wearing the blue shirt) on the course at between miles 3 & 4
I completed my first 10K race this morning in lovely San Francisco as part of the Mermaid Series, a group dedicated to women's health and fitness.  I have run some 5K races but this was my first 10K. I had my doubts yesterday but felt good today and ended up running the entire race in 1 hour 10 min and 53 seconds - slower than some but a great time and length accomplishment for me.

Race complete - A well earned view by the sea wall + a little sea water
Chris was my cheerleader, getting me up for breakfast, driving, coffee provisioning, gear toting, and photographing in support of me today.  A big, big thank you to you honey - you were a giant boost for me today!


I'm home now with a good shower had and yummy lunch eaten.  My feet are up and knees are aching slightly.  I've already started researching the next 10K and am feeling proud and joyful right now at my progress and motivation.  

Friday, November 11, 2011

Day Off

It's raining today.  I have the day off - a Friday - due to Veterans Day.  Being married to a veteran and working with veterans everyday - they have a special place in my heart.  This group of men and women, of all ages, who were willing to put their lives on the line to serve our country.  Thank you.


I've started the day with a sleep in and then cozying up on the couch with my hubby and some blankets.  Two big mugs of coffee in our hands and 'How it's Made' on the tube.  I really didn't want to know how bacon is made, really.  


Next I'm off to a quick breakfast out with my husband and then to meet up with two of my girlfriends for a little shopping and lunch.  Hopefully I can maintain control of my wallet and not go crazy.  I've got a 10K race coming up tomorrow... I need to remember to drink lots of water, rest, and to eat well - though I may sneak in a few extra carbs tonight with dinner.  


Better go get ready to go.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

How cool are these?

'Along the Way'
Just stumbled amongst these browsing through Etsy.com for a baby shower gift.  These prints are by paper artist Elly MacKay - a featured seller today on Etsy.com.

'Tranquil Morning'
I am stunned by how detailed these all are.  She makes the images by painting on paper and cutting out layers that she then sets up in a mini theater. She then plays with lighting and filters and takes a photograph of the scene.


'Take Me Where I Want to Go'
Could you imagine a children's book illustrated with these images?  How imaginative they are.  I think buying art for a baby shower may not fly, but I will bookmark her shop for the future.  Check out more of MacKay's work at her Etsy shop: Theater Clouds.

Monday, November 7, 2011

10-hour Roast Chicken 2

Chicken - Post 10 hours in the oven.
The 10-hour roasted chicken was deemed a success by my husband and myself.  It will surely occur again and again in this house.  The chicken turned out very, very tender and the skin crisped up nicely.  There were a lot of juices in the pan and the chicken was impossible to flip over at the 9 1/2 hour mark as directed without falling apart.  Next time I'll be adding more garlic heads to the pan as it resulted in very lovely roasted garlic for our plates.

Dinner - Chicken paired with roasted garlic & green beans
Normally I would link to the recipe - but I have had no luck finding a sanctioned copy of the recipe online.  You'll have to check out the book 'My Father's Daughter' for this and other recipes.  I have also made the books cheese & broccoli soup and it has become a regular in our house as well.  


What to try next?  

Sunday, November 6, 2011

10-hour Roast Chicken

Ingredients lemon, home grown thyme, and garlic - plus my first ball of kitchen twine
There is a chicken in my oven.  It's already been in there for 3 hours and has 7 hours to go.  It's a recipe from 'My Father's Daughter' that I was afraid to make as suggested - on a work day.  I just could not imagine being able to relax at work with the oven on at home unsupervised.  Although I don't think anything cooking at 200 degrees is really at risk of bursting into flames...


I'll tell you how it turns out.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Tri - Take 2

Sunrise over the swim entry
Chris completed his second triathlon this weekend at the Marin County Triathlon.  We drove up Friday night to San Rafael and stayed in a hotel with many of the other triathletes.  We ended up in a suite with our own sitting room separated from the bedroom, with plenty of room for the bike and all the other gear.  Let's just say it was a wild night of reading and going to bed early.


Chris (in between the red/black flag and the blue flag)
enters the water for warm up.
We got up at 4 am (ugh) and headed out to breakfast.  Then back to the hotel for a quick change and headed out to the course.  It was so cold!  Even in several layers, coat, hat, scarf, and gloves - I was numb after the race.  I can only imagine how Chris felt wading into the bay at 8 am.


Chris spots me near the end of his swim and shoots me
a mid stroke wave.

Done with the bike, Chris is on his way to the transition
area for a quick change for running.

Headed out the shoot for his 5 K run.

Almost done - headed for the finish line.
It was inspiring watching Chris and all of the other athletes completing the course.  I loved watching both the athletes and the friends and family members who were out to support them.  It was great to watch the hugs and high fives - especially between parents and their kids.  I look forward to being there to support Chris as he continues to participate (he is hooked) in these races.  Even with the 4 AM wake-ups, the cold mornings, and the waiting and watching the finish line - I'm hooked on it too, and very proud of my husband.