Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Parking

Today Grandma and I went into the city to see two exhibits in the city. They were at 2 different museums but pretty close together. We drove in and felt lucky to find parking very close to our first stop (but in a parking garage). They had one handy cap parking spot and not much else. Lucky for me it was a big spot, most of the cars were Valet parking and the valet parked vehicles blocking in the vehicles across from us. Did I mention that Grandma has a BIG car?

This cut down on my swinging room considerably. I try to back into parking spaces epically when it is hard to get in and out, as I would rather have an easier time getting out. It took me nearly 3 heart attacks and a lot of pulling forward and back but we made it into that spot. Maybe sometimes it pays to use the valet parking. . .

The first museum was the National Portrait Gallery, it was less then 1/2 block from the parking lot. We unfortunately did not get the best of directions and walked more then we needed to. We finally found it and had to walk all the way around the block to get inside. The Calder Exhibit was nice, Grandma epically appreciated it as he is one of her favorite artists.

Then we went onto the National building museum. They had a exhibit of landmark buildings made out of Lego's. I like anything made of Lego's and Grandma was game so we took a cab over to the exhibit. We were a little disappointed as they did not have lots of buildings (maybe a dozen) and Grandma wanted them to be made out of colored blocks (they made them as true replicas). The ones that were done looked very much like the buildings that they represented, the ones I had seen before anyway. And it was neat to see an 18 foot building made of Lego's.

We walked back to the car and it was a breeze getting out of that dratted parking garage. Due to the traffic we made it just in time for dinner at 5 (we left at 3:30 and it was to be a 30 minute drive). Luckily we are both patient people and had a nice chat as we sat waiting to get out of the city.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Crooked

A while back I purchased a candle holder from Yankee Candle Co. It was very pretty holding 11 tea light candles. Upon lighting it up for it's trial dinner I noticed one of those candles was welded on crooked. It bothered me a little but I tried to let it go, and used it a few more times. In the end it was way too crooked and I just could not use it any more.

I had been meaning to go back to the store to exchange the item but just never made it in that direction. After a few weeks it got buried on my to do list and was forgotten.

Last weekend I treated myself to a Chipolte Burrito and the store was 2 doors over, I mentally kicked myself and moved it back to the top of my list.

This weekend it was finally accomplished. I even called ahead to keep myself from wasting a trip (I was not going that way unless they had this item). I now have a pretty and strait candelabra. Just enough of an accomplishment to make up for my lack of a bike ride.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

14

Today was my longest run by far, 14 miles. It is a little daunting thinking of the training I will be doing for the Marathon. this 14 mile run took me approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. I think I will be running all day to accomplish the long runs for the marathon.

My worries aside I am starting to look forward to the half Marathon again. I will definitely be taking a week or so off to relax and figure out what parts of my training plan worked and what I am going to change going into the Marathon training plan. But that is a worry for another day.

Today I am going to relax a little. (and do laundry).

Thursday, February 10, 2011

7 weeks 2 days

In 7 weeks and 2 days I will be running my first half marathon. 2 weeks ago I caught a horriable cold from pat and took the week off of running (and everything else that did not involve sleep or work). Last week was a slow and painful.

This week my mileage is back to where it should be, albit SLOW. Realizing today that it was only 7 weeks away and my training went from running like I was on top of the world to slugging along over a week and a half is a little daunting. The plan is in place and I am back to following it but a doubtful voice that didn't exist before today is setteling in the back of my mind.

Hopefully saturday's long (but slow) run will quiet it untill after the half, when my sights are set on a marathon.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Stoffers Pizza

I had forgotten how good the stoffers frozen french bread pizza's are. They went on sale and this week both Pat and I agreed they were top notch comfert food. I get teh cheese and add additional toppings, Pat gets the meat pizza's and we have the perfect dinner.

Lucky for us they were on sale, we now have a freezerfull!

Between that and the chocolate chip cookie dough, My brain may be happy but the rest of me wishes we owned a scale.

That may be a purchase for the coming weekend.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Bills Vs Jets

Pat received tickets to this football game from a contractor (when he was working). This weekend was the game. It was in the brand new stadium.

We left with plenty of time. We got there with a good 45 minutes to park. Lacking a Permit of any color we had to drive around the whole stadium looking for the non-permit parking. This was nowhere near the actual stadium. Actually It was in the next town over. Nope not a parking garage or even a lot built for masses to park. We had to pay $25 to park in the parking lot of local businesses in the town next to the stadium. Lucky for us the two shuttle buses we needed were included in this parking fee.

We took the first shuttle bus to the far side of the farthest 'real' parking lot, walked across the lot to get the second bus that would drop us off in front of the stadium. Pat was not in a hurry to ever go back to this "fancy" new stadium. (I'm not clear on why they needed the new stadium, or how it is any better then the old).

Anyway it was nice going into the game with pat wanting his team to loose. They were not in the playoffs and any win would get them a worse draft pick. our tickets were at row 21 which seemed very close to the field, but someone had beaten us to the seats (the first quarter was over by the time we walked in). They traded us seats in row 8 for our seats.

We might as well have been on the field. When the Jets were scoring or near scoring we could hear every little helmet clink. It was soooo cool!

We left a little ways into the 4th quarter and already their was a long line for the first shuttle bus. Not wanting to wait we walked to where we were to pick up the 2nd bus. We were on the first bus and to our car with little traffic. It was a great day, but I too will pass on a visit to that stadium again.

Pats Least favorite words ever

For some reason this last month and a half has been very hard on my memory. Pat is just about sick of hearing me ask, "Where is _____?"

About three weeks ago I lost my cell phone, yes, three weeks. Today I finally found it.

I texted pat once I got to work to let him know it was found. Instead of texting a simple I found my phone, I texted "sweet" figuring he would see the text and know the phone was in my possession.

He texted back "?"

I did not have time to call him and also wanted to see if he would figure it out over time. I called him from my office after lunch. He had not figured it out. He was in the middle of saying that he thought I had sent the text from work when he realized that was not likely.

I celebrated with a call to my Grandma (who was not home) then my parents (who are not chopped liver). I missed talking to people.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

10 K- Actual

I set my goal based on my 5k, it was just under 2 times my 5k. My goal was to beat one hour.
I thought this was realistic for me as I have been working to bring my time down and doing longer runs. Normally for races breakfast is skipped. It is hard to eat even hours before running. Risking a bad run, I tested my theory that I could do better if breakfast was consumed. I think it helped a lot!

David complained the WHOLE ride over, the 10K is apparently not his favorite race. He was so anti 10K that we had to take the long route to the race as he missed the exit we needed. This was a good mistake as we got to see part of the course, not exactly the same as running it but I think it helped.

Lucky for me David had not been training as he should have for the run. That meant both David and Angela would be running with me. I have been trying to pace myself but it has proven difficult and unreliable. Having David and Angela to pace off of helped allot!

They were nice enough to act as my own personal support crew during the run. When we took the first mile out at 9:22 I was very worried. Good thing Angela was there, when I expressed my worry all she had to do was ask how I was feeling. When I said fine she advised me to keep it up and not worry about it. I'm glad I did.

My first 5K split was 29.00 a PR for me. Around Mile 4 I took off my 2nd jacket and despite her shock at my ability to run with a tank top on, Angela was nice enough to carry it (I would have asked David but he was tired). I crossed the finish line at 57:30.00. I do not have an official time as the generaters for the timing system went out for a good chunk of the race.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

10 K

I am spoiled. The weather in NJ has been beautiful. My weekends have been spend running outside. No warm jackets or pants, just a light jacket to keep me a little warmer until I get going. Maybe it is the weather but I have been getting faster and looking forward to the upcoming 10K.

Last night as I was tempted to pack my bike helmet, a realization struck. I am going to Rochester. The beautiful weather around here is in danger from an incoming cold front. The weather has not been 'nice' for months. I am mentally prepared for a 10K in 50-60 degree weather.

Tomorrow will be a high of 44 and rainy. Perhaps it will work to my benefit, this will be interesting.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Royal Followings

I am not a person that normally follows celebrity gossip. Occasionally I will open an article on the MSN celebrity section, but not very often.

For some reason this whole Kate and William's engagement is fascinating to me. I have read more articles on their engagement and wedding planning then I care to admit. This of course struck me as I was reading about their upcoming wedding date.

At least the craziness will end in April.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Will Power

They say it is like a muscle, you need to use it to strengthen it. I say you should pick your battles.

Today I left work 30 minutes early (I mis-timed my swim and got in to work 30 minutes early). This got me on the road before the worst of the traffic giving me time to do some returns. I started at Target where I had one return and did not have to wait long because the nice guy was applying for a credit card and thought it may be a while (I only had one item). As we were waiting for the cashier to finish with the lady before us he was talking about being excited for his first card. He asked what they thought his limit would be.

I explained that it depended on his credit and such. He hoped it would be $500, he was ready for a shopping spree (who knows where this is going?). I just could not hold my tongue. I told him that he should not spend more then he could pay off in one month. This did nothing to reign in his excitement as he assured me he had a decent paying job. I let it drop and said a prayer for his future finances.

Then I went to one of my favorite stores, Bed Bath And Beyond. What cook can't spend LOTS of time and money there? I did my return and after a quick look around I left. With out buying anything. And I soo wanted to!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Heavy Lifting

We have the 5 gallon water coolers at work. I use a lot of water weather for drinking or making oatmeal so I have no problem changing the Jug (and I am perfectly capable). It is often out or close to out as lots of coworkers also drink their share of water.

Today the Jug needed to be changed and I got there just before another lady. She is a very nice lady and was insisting that she change the water instead of me. I had already lifted it about half way but told her if it was her exercise for the day that she could do it. She made it seem like it was so I placed the Jug back down.

She proceeded to place the new jug on the cooler saying that she should do it because it was to heavy for me!!! I should say that while she is not by any means old she is not only older then me but also much more petite.

It was all I could do to not laugh. (and next time I'll just do it).

Monday, November 8, 2010

Cookie Connoisseur

Pat's favorite cookie had always been the Girl Scout Thin Mints. He could eat a whole box the day they came in. The cookies I ordered finally came in today. I called Pat right away letting him know that he had a surprise coming to him tonight, he was excited.

The first thing I did when arriving home was to break out the cookies (risking a 'no cookies before dinner' fight). He thanked me and continued with the dinner prep. I jumped in to help and we had it done in no time.

After dinner the Thin Mints still went untouched. Wondering what was going on I asked if he was going to open a box. He said he might later. Wanting a chocolate chip cookie myself, I offered to put some home made cookies in the oven. This he JUMPED on.

Apparently he prefers the home made cookies. This is cheaper for us, but really bad news for the Girl Scouts.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A First

I have officially finished my first double digit run. I was supposed to do it yesterday but I was going so slowly and having to stop to use the rest room so often (to much tea) I scrapped the run after 4 miles. Today I was not messing around.

I grabbed some Poweraid and a granola bar and headed out to the park. It is a 6.6 mile out and back so some of it was repeated. I'm sure it would have been better if I had repeated one bigger segment instead of 3 smaller ones but it all got done.

I was still slower then I normally go but given that my inexplicable case of nerves before the run, it was probably necessary to keep my heart from exploding. After I had finished 7 miles and saw my heart rate back up to 200bpm I realized that the strap of the monitor was around my waist. I have no Idea what it was reading but when I got it on correctly my heart rate went back down. I may have run faster if I didn't think my heart rate was so high to begin with (though I may just have been stuck on slow this weekend).

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Pondering

I am currently pondering a new goal in my life. While I am not ready to commit, I only have 360 days to get ready. It will be another month before a commitment will be made then it will be posted on the blog so backing out is not an option.

In the meantime my Garmin came in yesterday and I am slowly figuring it out. It can be a little moody but we will come to an understanding. Today will be our first workout together. Hopefully it will be a good run.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Birthday Girl

I started my day out with an interval run. It ended up being pretty short as measured by mileage. Apparently I spent extra time on the weight end of the deal because it was much later then I had planned when I walked out of the gym.

On the way home I stopped at Trader Joe's for some of the Mini-Yellow Rose bouquets they were selling (I was told they were Grandma's favorite). Unfortunately they were sold out BUT they had great autumn bouquets I purchased the one with the yellow rose I was looking for. It was very pretty. Upon checking out the cashier commented on how pretty they were, I told her they were for my grandmothers birthday. She then gave me a bar of chocolate to give to Grandma as well. I was SO excited!

Grandma spent the rest of the day getting birthday calls and cards (and some more flowers). At brunch we were 2 of 3 dressed in costume (not counting the 'kids'). It was lots of fun.

In the afternoon Susan and BJ came over. Susan cooked us some Pasties for dinner, they were very tasty. Unfortunately the Redskins lost. I completely missed the Saints game. I fell asleep shortly after Brisan and Susan left for the night.

Grandma wears me out!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

DC Weekend

What a Great day! Any day that finds me spending time at the puzzle table with my grandmother is in my top 10! The puzzle chosen is so hard. It is a photo that consists of black and different shades of grey. It does have 2 features with some color on it but the are small and stand out, thus they were already completed. We did manage some progress but not much.

After the Puzzling I went to check out Lifetime in Rockville (or is it Rockland?) Any how it was a good bit smaller them the Lifetime in Berkeley Heights and much to my disappointment they did not have a pool. In the end it was a good thing as I ended up running 8 miles, my longest to date. As long as the weather holds out that 10K could be fun.

After my workout it was time to watch the Purdue game. With the late start and lunch right away, the first half was missed completely by me. I didn't feel too bad as my team did not show up for the first half. After the 3rd period I called dad and conceded the game. It was very bad and I did not want to waste my time in DC watching a game my team did not show up for.

It was much more fun playing on the computer with Grandma!

We ended the night with out going back to the puzzle table, it did not get the best of us though. We will be back tomorrow!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Subdued

Today was the office Halloween celebration. Not a lot of people dressed up this year, it was a little disappointing. I skipped the dress up this year as well, Extra candy was eaten to make up for the lack of costume. The lunch was delish and my share was definitely eaten.

The costume was skipped because I did not want to deal with it on my drive down to DC. It is not such a bad ride and to make it even better I had dinner with an friend that I had not seen in years. It was a nice way to break up the drive.

All around I ate my share of calories today, and not many of them were healthy.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Foiled

I have been looking at the Garmin 405 and 405cx for a while now. It is a very expensive sports watch. I started out reading reviews and saving my pennies. It has been a year or so since it's release and now I'm starting to shop.

Amazon had it for about 125 off and I thought that it was time. Fortunately for me when I put it in the virtual shopping basket it increased in price. Not by much mind you but Just enough that I thought I would wait and find a better deal. The awesome deal I found next on Fat wallet cut the original price in half. I had missed it by Months!

Today I found the watch I want for 150 off the price and I was READY to buy. I even was willing to try out the membership at Costco (money back guarantee). Into the store I marched, ready to buy. It broke my heart when they told me that they only accept American Express and debit cards. I use Visa and don't carry that much cash.

Once again I left empty handed. But I am optimistic and will get the watch this weekend.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Wimpy

It took me over 4 minutes to get into the water today. That's half of my warm-up easing my way into the cold water.

I did get the worst lane, it is the end lane with the stairs leading into it. It just asks me to ease in. Who am I to say no?

The workout itself was pretty good. Though I do have one gripe.

Before my last set I got out of the pool to go to the bathroom. Four of the 5 lanes were unoccupied (including the one just left by me). When I got back, maybe two minutes later, someone was swimming in my lane. This would not be strange if it were not for the MOUNDS of stuff that was left behind at the lane. Why would someone given the choice choose the one lane with stuff crowded at the end with 3 perfectly empty lanes to choose.

Being stubborn, I jumped back in my lane and waited for him to come to my end. Lucky for me he just moved over. He acknowledged that he should have known that I would be back.