Archive for January, 2008
Aching Heart
I’m struggling so badly right now with wanting to just go into my kitchen and binge. My heart is hurting and I find myself wanting to turn to food to comfort. I found out a couple of hours ago that my brother-in-law was killed in a single car traffic accident today due to icy road conditions. 
I’m still kind of shock realizing I’ll never see him again or hear his goofy infectious laugh. My heart is breaking knowing that my sister has lost her husband and that their children have lost their father. He was a good man and treated his family so well. He took such amazing care of my sister after she was diagnosed with MS and stood right by her side through all her struggles with it.
Sometimes.life.just.is.not.fair! 
Rest in peace, Alfred!
Poll Dancing
I’ve decided to take a little poll here on my blog. I’ve identified the 10 pieces that I’m going to focus on finishing for 2008 before starting anything new. I’m calling this my WIP Killer Challenge. As my regular readers may remember, I set a goal at the start of the year that I wouldn’t start ANY new projects (with a couple of pre-determined exceptions) until I finish at least 10 of my current WIPs. So, which do you think I should focus on first?
Thanks for voting! I really need to get these knocked out ASAP because I want to join in on a Hannah Beeby SAL with some fellow local stitchers. 
Happy stitching! 
*Whew* we’re safe!
Well, according to the xkcd webcomic, it seems as long as we either knit or blog, that we’re relatively safe.
Welcome to Los Angeles!
I went out and did my own personal 5k walk this morning. This is my last long walk before doing the organized Surf City 5k race next Sunday. All of my walks this week will be pretty short distances & times.
My goal for January has been to walk/run at least 30 miles, so I’m right on track for that. With today’s walk, this brings my total walk/run mileage to 26.8 miles which means I’ve basically walked to Los Angeles this month. 
My goal for February is going to be 35 miles. I really need to average 47 miles per month in order to meeting my 2008 Walk goal. I would set my goal for February for 40 miles, but since it’s a short month, I don’t want to set an unrealistic goal for myself. I plan to start bumping up my goal distances closer to the average I need to be meeting beginning in March. I figure I can make up my shortfalls these first couple of months this summer when the weather is nicer and I’ll be outside a lot more.
Persistence Pays Off
WOO HOO!! My weigh in today just goes to show that you have to stick with it regardless of what’s happening on the scale. I was down 2.4 pounds this week. This brings my total loss for January to 5 pounds which was my goal. 
I was surprised to see such a nice loss, even after having such tiny losses the past couple of weeks. The main reason was due to the fact that I was in a training class for work all week and ended up eating out a LOT more than normal. Since you never really know how much sodium you’re getting in restaurants, I was prepared that I might have another small loss this week. I was THRILLED when I saw the number on the scale!! 
In other news for me this week, I’m in final countdown for my upcoming 5k. The race will be next Sunday morning (Feb. 3). I’ll be doing it with my friend Darla, so that should be a lot of fun.
Shave Your 5k Challenge
I’ve seen this on several other blogs this week, so I decided to join in as well. Half-Fast has come up with a great challenge for 2008. The premise is that you run a 5k race before March 31st to set your “stubble (unshaven) time”. Then, you run another 5k during November or December for your “smooth (freshly shaved) time”. The goal, obviously, is to improve your overall time. The person with the greatest improvement wins the challenge. You can read all of the particulars, including how to sign up, on the Half-Fast blog:
As I mentioned in my latest video blog entry, I’m already signed up for a 5k race next Sunday. I’ll be using this as my stubble time. At the end of the year, I shouldn’t have a problem finding either a Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving or Jingle Bell Run at Christmas to use for a smooth time. Given that I’m just really getting started with running again, I definitely hope to see a major improvement.
I also wanted to point out that there’s some great information over at the Runner’s Lounge blog for new runners. They tossed out a challenge to experience runners to give advice on the basics of runnings. They give links to several bloggers that have taken up the challenge and there’s some great stuff there. I especially enjoyed Non-Runner Nancy’s thoughts. Check it out:
Let me close by saying this: I’M SICK OF THE RAIN!! Seriously, don’t believe the myth that it never rains in southern California. It’s been raining all week and it’s supposed to continue until probably Tuesday of next week. I had a REALLY crappy day today, so I guess the weather kind of matches my mood though. I’ve spent the bulk of the afternoon/evening feeling angry, unappreciated, and taken advantage of about a situation at work. I hate days like this! 
Bring on the sunshine!!
Jan. 22, 2008 video blog
Website mentioned in video blog: Antenna Ball World
Another tiny loss
The frustration continues. I stuck with the nutrition plan from my trainer again last week and I was only down 0.6. I really think I’m eating too many calories. So, I’ve decided to go back on to the Weight Watchers plan again this week since it’s worked so well for me in the past. The 75 pounds I’ve lost to date were all lost following the Weight Watchers plan, so it clearly works for me.
I added something new into my exercise mix yesterday. I rode my bike! I never learned how to ride when I was a kid, so this is definitely something new for me. I’ve always wanted to learn, so I bought myself a new bicycle as a Christmas present to myself. I went out with a couple of friends yesterday who agreed to help me learn how to ride. We spent about 35-40 minutes going back and forth in a parking lot. By the time we were done, I’d ridden for about 40 feet or so three different times. Admittedly, that’s not very much, but it’s a start.
All about me
I saw this on Mel & Anniebeez’s blogs and thought it looked like a lot of fun. Feel free to play along. If you do, please post a comment so I can check out your site, too.
Answer the questions and type your answer into Google images search. Post a photo from the FIRST results page. (this can be tough!!)
Ok …. here goes!!
Age you will be on your next birthday?
Place you would like to visit?
One of your favorite places
Your favorite object?
Your favorite food?
Your favorite animal?
Your favorite color?
Name of a past pet?
Where you live?
1st grade teacher’s last name?
Middle Name?
A bad habit of yours?
Favorite flower?
Favorite Holiday?
Your turn!!
Something new
And now for something completely new on my blog …. video blogging! 
