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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Today Was The Day

Right after I started running I was talking to one of my bosses about it. (a different one than I usually post about. I like this one. I mean, I like them all. Mostly.) Anyhow, he was being supportive and said that if I kept my interval training up he would bet I could run a mile by the end of the year. So the seed was planted, and I made it my goal to run a mile by the end of the year. I even updated my "Goals" tab to show this. I had planned on it and was working up to it.

Earlier in the month when I was having the worst of my hip pain, Josh suggested I take a week off for rest and then see what happens. I was super upset about that, but sat out anyway, and as soon as my week was over I started again. We started out slowly on the treadmill and then went back outside. The time off did me good, and I've also discovered that the hip problem has something to do with my job, because my hip doesn't really hurt if I've been off work for a few days. Interesting.

So I got back in it, we started going pretty hardcore again, and pretty much rocked it out.

This past Tuesday, Ingrid and I were running on the treadmill. I went for ten minutes without stopping, and it felt pretty good. I was proud of myself. I had Ingrid do the math for me to see how long it would take me to run a mile and I would have only had to run three more minutes. We got off the treadmills and I decided that on Wednesday I was going to just go for my mile. No problem. I could have gone three more minutes. No big deal. Super pumped to get it done before the last day of the year.

Then Wednesday happened. I woke up with somewhat of a small cold. I felt fine enough to go to work, and was just a bit annoyed at how often I had to blow my nose. I decided when I woke up though that I was going to have Wednesday be an off day from the gym. I just felt tired and didn't really want to go. I have a very serious policy that when I'm ill I don't exert myself in order to allow my body to properly heal (I'm going to break my own policy later in this post). As soon as I felt myself not feeling well I cut it off.

So I worked all day, came home and went straight to couch. I didn't feel like doing anything at all, including making dinner. We got gift cards for Christmas so we picked one of the restaurants we were going to have for dinner. Joshua went and got it and I stayed on the couch. We ate dinner and he went over to his mom's house to use her laptop. I took a nap, woke up around 8:30 and decided I was going to go to bed. Then it got ugly. I won't tell you what happened, but it wasn't pretty. And from what Josh said, it didn't smell good either.

A few years ago I had pneumonia when the plague hit our house, and ever since then I've been pretty much terrified of getting sick. Whenever I start to feel symptoms I clench in fear and wait for that moment where I have to go to the emergency room. (Serious, serious trauma here people.) Also, when I'm sick I'm often a bit irrational. Whatever.

Thursday morning I set up my Sick Station.

 

If you're interested in your own Sick Station, here is what you need: 
  1. Chair
  2. Two ottomans (these are the bottom part of your bed for when you want to lay down)
  3. Drink (Gatorade)
  4. Playstation remote (and someone to switch it out for you when it dies)
  5. Television remote
  6. Chapstick (I'm addicted to this stuff from Trader Joes)
  7. Face Cream (Its a baby lotion that I get at Target that I'm addicted to)
  8. Coffee Mug (and someone to fill it for you)
  9. Kleenex (with lotion)
  10. Trash Can (made from empty Kleenex box)
  11. Laptop (for day 2, when you feel well enough to contact the outside world)
  12. Blanket (not pictured, dog was borrowing)
This next one is the Dog Station, and it's pretty much just every day life. He isn't sick, just lazy.


Anyway, back to me. I was off work Thursday, and went ahead and took Friday off, because I felt like it. Friday I absolutely felt better, but not 100%. I did realize on Friday that my time before the end of the year was ticking away quickly, and I got super angry that I wasn't going to meet my goal. Like super angry. I figured I would sleep Friday night and see how I was Saturday morning.

Today is Saturday. I woke up, felt better, but still didn't feel like I had the energy for a mile without stopping. I really didn't feel like I had the energy for grocery shopping. I texted Ingrid and told her I wasn't going to make it and that I was super pissed off. She asked if I wanted to come to the Y and walk with her. Sometime between that conversation and when I ended up at the Y, I decided that I was going for it. I couldn't not do it. Yeah, I still feel a little ick, but I would have been so disappointed in myself if I hadn't at least tried. Yes, I know, I couldn't have predicted I was going to get the flu, and I couldn't have stopped it, but I really, really wanted to do this.

So I did! (Ingrid did too.) (And Ava, but she has four feet, so thats her advantage.)


In 13:13 minutes, I ran a mile without stopping for the first time in my life. Make that 1.07miles.
We're really classy and take photos of phones because we aren't tech savvy at all. Yeah. So what.

I told Ingrid this story, but not all of you, so I'll repeat it. In high school, when we would exercise for cheerleading (don't worry, I'm on the side that it is not a sport. I won't go all "cheerleading is life" on you. Ever.) it was kind of lame. They would have us run a lap around the track, which was 1/4 of a mile. Four times around is a mile. Congrats, we can all do math together. I never, in the four years I was in high school, made it one lap around the track without stopping to walk. Never. Never before in my life have I been able to run more than 1/4 of a mile without stopping. Today was a pretty big deal for me. It feels pretty awesome to know that I can do things now that I couldn't do when I was a teenager.

This is me afterward. I'm pretty pale, but thoroughly pleased with myself.
My next goal? Five miles, no stops, by June 2012.

What is your goal?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Lazy, Lazy Ovaries

Well. They still don't want to do their jobs. I feel like I should just let them go sit in a tent at the park.

I did my first cycle of Clomid, and nothing happened.

Well, mostly nothing happened.

My moods actually weren't too bad...except for the night when Josh forgot to bring home tortilla chips. I saw the crazy and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

Since this was only my first cycle I'm not too upset about it. Right now I'm actually not bothered by it. Everything I've read (on the internet, so it's true) says typical results don't happen the first cycle. Whenever my next cycle starts (no idea when that will be as of right now) my dose will be higher, and hopefully we'll find better results. My doctor said she'll do three cycles total and then send me on to a fertility specialist.

Ingrid and I had a short conversation last night about fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization. Most of my adult life I've been completely against it. I don't like the thought of it for me. I'm not a super all natural person. I don't have to have the most organic foods, or any for that matter. The only thing I buy in the organic aisle is Josh's special peanut butter (seriously). For some reason though, I wanted all this baby stuff to happen naturally. I was very against using Clomid for a long time. I just wanted it to be something I could do on my own. (I'm stubborn.) But the longer it takes to get pregnant, and the more I read about it, the more IVF seems like it might be okay for me.

My friend Amy just went through the IVF process. We have very different health issues from each other, but being able to follow along with her journey made it seem more manageable to me, and not so clinical.

Ingrid made the point last night that years ago, Josh and I would have just lived the rest of our lives without children. Which is very true. Modern medicine is the reason why we are able to do things like IVF, but they're also the reason why we have drugs like Clomid. My reasoning for drawing the line at Clomid but not going past it doesn't really hold any weight now that she pointed that out.

Right now, I'm trying to say focused on not getting to ahead of myself. I have two more cycles of Clomid that may work and none of this planning will be necessary. I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat about everything that is (or isn't) happening. Some days its hard, and other days it isn't.

Sarah McLaughlin shouldn't be able to have commercials anymore. She is THE WORST.

So in order to stop myself from going into a rambling dialogue, where do you fall on this topic? I know certain religious beliefs dictate how you answer that question, but I am curious of your opinions.

It isn't that I want you to agree with me, I want to hear your point of view. I appreciate hearing from you.


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Cards

I was sitting down to write a bitter post about Christmas cards.

I just erased all of it because I didn't want to post it.

Basically what I was going to tell you was that I'm not sending out cards this year.

I was going to show you pictures of the cool cards we've gotten, but all I could think was that the first says "We're Having A Baby!", the second says "We Have A Baby!", and the third says "I AM A Baby!".

I wanted to post it , because it would be funny and I'd laugh, and hopefully you would too.

But the more I looked at it, the less funny I thought it was.

I was afraid I would come across that I don't want your Christmas cards with your photos on them, because I truly do. I love getting mail, and I love your children. I do.

I don't want to come across as a bitter woman who can't handle my own issues, because I can.

I want to see your baby belly photos, sonograms, baby showers, and baby photos. I like seeing your family pictures. I like reading your tweets about the baby, and what all is happening. (I don't want to see the birth though. Who in God's name decided THAT should be filmed?)

So I just want you to know, I love your Christmas cards, but I'm sorry, this year you won't be getting one from us.

But be warned, once we do have kids, your mailbox is going to be full



I wanted to post this though (I got permission). Eric & Michele sent out the cutest birth announcements I think I've ever seen. Isn't he adorable?

Do you send Christmas cards?

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Book Club

I haven't done a book club post in a long time. Last night I went on a mad hunt for matte nail polish. I've been to three different stores looking for it, and decided to make the trip (ha) to Ulta. No luck there either. I got mad and decided to walk over to Barnes and Noble to look around a bit.

It's been forever since I was inside a book store. I like to just go in and look. It was somewhere Josh and I used to go on our date nights. Back before money went to bills and such. Those days are put on hold for now.


By now I think just about everyone has some type of eReader...except for Joshua and me. My mom has wanted to buy us one for years but I always tell her no. I use the library like crazy, and there is no sense to spend money to get a reader. Except now, I'm thinking I want one. I told her last night that if she wants to get me one for perhaps my birthday (which is around the corner) I would like it. Just the cheapest Nook would do. Not color or anything. That one in the center though, with the Real Simple magazine displayed, looks really nice.
You should be able to click directly on the photos to go to the Barnes and Noble page that contains the book info.
I don't know much about Laura Bush (I've heard that when I was younger I was a huge fan of Barbara Bush, but this I don't remember). To be honest, I'm not a biography reader. I don't see why I would want to read about someone else's life when I have my own to live? However, a few weeks ago a friend directed me toward this blog: In Pursuit of Parenthood. I went and read the post about Laura Bush's book, and then clicked around her blog (She has a beautiful two month old girl, after eight years of infertility). I read this quote from the book and almost cried.

"For some years now, the wedding invitations that had once crowded the mailbox had been replaced by shower invites and pink-or-blue-ribboned baby announcements. I bought onesies or rattles, wrapped them in yellow paper, and delivered them to friends. I had done it with a happy wistfulness, believing that someday my time, my baby, would come. George and I had hoped that I would be pregnant by the end of his congressional run. Then we hoped it would be by the time his own father announced his presidential run, then by the presidential primaries, the convention, the general election. But each milestone came and went. The calendar advanced, and there was no baby.

The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?" 



I also love Ellen. I haven't heard anything about this book, but I'm sure it is hilarious.
I WON this book from KJPugs! It was even Pawtographed! Her pugs make a wonderful appearance in the book. They look great. I love it.
I love Mindy on the Office. I have this on my GoodReads list to get from the library.

Joshua likes Demetri Martin's show, so I may get this book for him. I tried to get him a comic book he has been wanting last night but there are six different versions of the same comic at the store. And I'm dumb for not understanding this.





Again, with the biographies. I like Cary Grant though, so I think it would be interesting to read this book his wife wrote...



...and this book his daughter wrote.









I also think this book by Lady Blue Eyes would be interesting.

I really enjoy classic movies, so I'd be interested to see what is in this book.





The following are all books that I would only assume were heavily edited to remove all of the "ummmmm"s. 

Seriously. Are you all buying these books? Why would Snooki or JWoww need a book? They can't read. And Russell Brand, "My Booky Wook". Really?? REALLY?


What are you looking forward to reading?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A New Twist

Before I get into the real story, let me just say that I have an awesome mom who bought us some really awesome Christmas decorations. I came home and these packages were all waiting for me in the breezeway (yes, Joshua, you walked right past them).

Aren't they pretty?


She was at Cracker Barrel and picked this nativity set out for us. It is two separate sets. One is Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. The other is the Three Wise Men.

Beautiful family.
But wait, who is this??
Upon closer examination, I found that we only have two Wise Men....



And two Josephs.
It is your everyday blended family. Gives new meaning to "Jesus has two dads" doesn't it?
I laughed so hard that my mom couldn't understand me on the phone trying to tell her about it.

Some responses:
Eric: "hipster Jesus"
Joshua: "It's a modern set"
Ingrid: "I bet when you wake up in the morning, your whole house will be rearranged and made over. Fabulous!"

Now you can't stop laughing either.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Running Inside, Running Outside, Infertility

Source
So I don't know exactly how long it has been since Ingrid started making me run, but I would guess three to four weeks. I'm still having this lame hip issue which is holding me back a bit, but I'm beginning to enjoy running more and more each time.

Each time we've ran it has been doing intervals. Before we started this, I had the misconception that running was basically just going as far as you could, as long as you could, one time. Which is part of why I thought it was so stupid. The first day that I actually worked hard we did one minute of running and one minute of walking outside on the trails. It was so exhausting. My breathing was awful, I felt like I was being stabbed all over, I was sweating something ferocious, and yes, it was awesome.

I much prefer running outside, but it is a challenge when it gets dark around 5pm, and thats when we get to the gym. We have been doing a lot of running inside on the track at our Y. This is less than enjoyable, because of the following reasons:
  1. Our annoying boss (not you, the other one) is always up there, and for some reason he has to run faster than we do. (I swear I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about a different boss). 
  2. Running in a circle is not enjoyable.
  3. The girls who walk in the run lane. Really? 
  4. That creeper boss who has to run faster than us.
  5. It is hot up there.
  6. It is booooooring. 
Yesterday we were able to run outside since we went early afternoon. Reasons why I love running outside:

  1. TIGHTS! I got to wear my tights and my legs look AMAZING in them. F'real.
  2. Less sweat. 
  3. I find it easier to breathe.
  4. It is much less tedious.
  5. Much less crowded.
  6. Scenery.
Anyway, (I love lists and bullet points), yesterday we were almost done with our run and I suggested we bump it up to 3min run/1min walk, which is by far the longest run I've done so far. The best thing is, it didn't hurt that bad. I enjoyed it. It is so weird, and unlike me. (And we went 1.7miles past where we were going to stop.)

We tried to figure how far we went, but our best guess is between 4.5 and 5 miles. It took us about an hour and 20 minutes. (That is why I was asking about distance apps on Twitter yesterday.)

I felt like such a beast when we were done. It was such an amazing feeling.

My goal is to run one mile without stopping by the end of this year. Yeah, I know, like two weeks away. I can do it though. It is going to be the first time in my life I'll be able to do it. I'm looking forward to it.

In a short infertility update, I am finally finished with my Provera medication. This means there will be no more fights about tortilla chips in our house, for a while at least. (Sorry, Joshua. I love you.). In the next few days I will be starting Clomid and the testing that goes along with that. I am hoping that this running will help me trim down some body fat and will help all those reproductive things to work better with the Clomid. Optimally I'd love for them to just work on their own, but as of this moment, it isn't happening, and I don't want to wait.

What are your fitness goals? Please, do tell.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Holidays

One thing I learned yesterday at IKEA: Don't try to go on December 10th and expect them to be fully stocked with Christmas decorations. I only moderately wanted this, until I saw it on Ingrid's dining room table, then I really wanted it. It is adorable. We looked all around the store (there were a few other things I wanted that were not to be found, like all the mugs) and I asked a woman on our second time checking out (seriously) and she acted like I was an idiot for thinking they'd still be there. Ok, I may have been touchy, but whatever. So, no tree for me.
This post is going to jump around quite a bit. This is my parents and brothers at the lighting of the Santa and Reindeer on the bank building next to where I work.
I got my Christmas decorations out this year and found this thing that I bought. I completely forgot that I even had it, but now that I remember, I love it all over again. The balls were on clearance at Kirklands last year for $1 or so a piece and I found this bowl in a display at Hobby Lobby. Ingrid - I totes pulled a you. The bowl had display stuff in it and I made sure no one was looking, emptied it, and walked away with the bowl.
Mom got me these candles and holders last year. A lady I used to work with gave me the block light. My dad made the bowl, but it isn't a Christmas decoration, it's out all year.
I just got these Fiesta 75th Anniversary ornaments for an early Christmas gift this year. They're ceramic, and too heavy for our little tree. I think they look nice sitting on the table though.
Josh's mom started getting us yearly ornaments the year we were engaged. That is our first one.
The crocheted green ornament was a wedding gift from one of our friend's moms. I don't have a clue how she did it, but I really like it.
I got this tray at IKEA yesterday. Love it. I'm going to look for some matching pillar candles at Walmart though. I think they'll look better on it than this mismatch I have going on.
Joshua got me these kissing reindeer the very first Christmas we spent together in 2003. I guess they're the oldest Christmas decoration I have.
I got this tree topper at IKEA yesterday. It may be a bit big for our tree, but I still like it.
My friend Joey made a snowflake to decorate our big front window.
If you look closely, he made it on his math homework.
I got this plant and pot at IKEA yesterday. The pot was on sale for $1.99 and the plant is a gardenia.
I put a small box under it so it wasn't in there so deep.

Other things we did in Michigan yesterday:
  • Ate Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes and Lingonberry Sauce
  • Discussed Ingrid's grumbling road rage
  • Visited Trader Joe's and 8 Mile Rd
  • Visited Biggby's Coffee, got $5 cups of tea, and witnessed Ingrid steal peanut butter
  • Decided that the next time we go to IKEA we're going to go to Cincinnati. 
There you are. Our day, complete with bullet points.

Finally, my latest gift from Ingrid. She has already let the guys I work with know about this, and it must be displayed on my desk for the entire Christmas season, if not all year.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

IKEA, IKEA

Be jealous. On Saturday I'm going to IKEA and you're not. (Unless your name is Ingrid, and then you totes are going. Congrats, you!)

I've been stalking their website and made this visual list of everything I want to buy:

I may or may not get these. I'll decide when we're there. I love to give baked stuff at Christmas, and last year I bought a ton of these at Wal-Mart and spent too much money on them. This is a steal.

 I wanted this back when we went in July, but I talked myself out of it because it was blue and I wasn't sure what I would do with it. I decided I was going to get one while we were down in Orlando in September, but never made it to a store. Now they aren't selling the blue anymore, so silver it is.
 We don't have a topper for our sad little baby tree.
 Also wanted this in July but couldn't find it in the store. I don't want the bar across the top, just the paper towel holder. It screws directly into the wall. Instant counter space.
 Undecided about this.
 I looooove mugs.
 And I need this.
 I'll see how this looks in person. We have a back door that could use a mat.
 If we had children, they would be getting this. Our kids are going to LOVE having a 15-piece breakfast. It's just like real life.
 Again, if we had them.
 I think this is so cute. I won't allow myself to buy them. Yet.
 I mean, really. How could you not want these?
 Most likely getting these.
I'm going to check these out and see how they look in person. I think they would be awesome across our front window in the winter time.
 Ditto.
This isn't a big item IKEA trip. I still have our bed in the garage that I need to get a mattress and box spring for. Moving super fast on that one.

What do you want from IKEA this season?

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