Ten on Tuesday, November 30

1. Can't believe November's virtually over. Now we launch headlong into December ... the greatest month of the year, if only it could be warm. I am just not cut out for this winter stuff.
2. Driving home from the gym tonight, a little snow started to fall. And the song "First Snowfall" came up on my CD ... it was a perfect moment. Chilly, but perfect.
3. The Rices are coming back! Mike, Rae and Kaylee return from their the downstate portion of their vacation on Thursday, and they'll be with me until they have to leave for the airport on Saturday. I love having them here.
4. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I sat down several times over the last week to write and reflect on Thanksgiving, and what it means to me ... and every time, it just came out like a monologue about my dad. I guess that's the real deal. My dad is gratitude, and forgiveness, and joy, and generosity, and faith, and humor. Of all the things in this world for which I am thankful, my dad tops the list. Every freakin' time.
5. I don't understand the lure of American Girl dolls, but I can promise you this: economic recovery is upon us, if the number of people spending money on their products is any indication. That place was SWAMPED on Saturday.
6. One more thing I'm thankful for: Dad's stuffing.
7. Skinny Cow truffle ice cream bars. Get some.
8. Work is driving me completely bananas. But that was a short trip, anyway.
9. This weekend I have my third 5K of 2010. I am determined to run as much of it as I can, although my knees really hurt this week. Ouchie. But one way or another, I will run, and I will finish. (Then, I will eat eggs.)
10. Bath & Body Works "Need a Margarita" body scrub is the best-smelling yumminess ever. Seriously.
    

Ten on Tuesday, November 16

1. I like kale. Tuscan kale, to be exact, and I prefer it prepared by my friend Rebekah, in a soup where it's combined with white beans, turkey sausage and an amazing broth that just makes your taste buds sing. Delicious.
2. I also like cannoli. Someone broght some in to the office today. I ate a quarter of one, and counted the calories. It was three bites of deliciousness.
3. I'm working out hard these days, and it's paying off. Last night I ran for half an hour and did the elliptical thing for half an hour. Almost 700 calories, torched, and felt great in the process. Next step? Metabolic testing. Need to save my pennies, but I want to know my actual zones and where I'm burning fat. I've been guessing, and it's been working pretty well, but I'm ready to maximize my workouts. After I buy new running shoes, that will be my next investment.
4. Which is interesting to me, because slowly but surely, I'm finding that my money is lining up with my values. I have always said that I value taking care of myself, but I had a hard time ponying up the money to really do it. Now, I make sacrifices in order to sign up for the next race, or eat better foods, or have the right equipment. I'm proud of that.
5. Speaking of the next race, yes, I'm doing the Santa Run on December 4. Then after that? The Frozen Zucchini Snowshoe 5k on January 30. Yes, I know ... I'm nuts.
6. I bent the hell out of my fingernail. This does not make me happy. It hurts.
7. Mike, Racheal and Kaylee will be here in a few days! This means I need to clean, buy some groceries, and rescue my twin air mattress from the storage locker. And bake cookies.
8. I had to scrape the ice off my car yesterday using my gym membership card. Guess I need to buy a window scraper, huh? (Busted my old one by slamming it in the back of the Jeep.)
9. Only six more get-ups until Thanksgiving. THANK GOD. Four-day weekend, here I come.
10. My friend Rebekah (she of soup fame) cleaned out her closet again. Which means I got a ton of new clothes, a down jacket, and a carload of stuff to take to Goodwill. I'm wearing this gray sweater today that makes me look far skinnier than I actually am. Yeah, it rocks.

10 on Tuesday, November 9

1. I'm a runner. For a long time, I thought I couldn't use that title, because I have yet to run an entire 5k without taking a break to walk. But I have to admit it: I am a runner. I even smile when I run. (To be fair, I smiled because there was a camera there. Normally, I think I look like I'm dying a slow death while I run.)

2. That photo, for those who don't know, was taken at the Hot Chocolate 5K last Saturday. It was awesome. Beautiful day on the Chicago lakefront, if a bit chilly (at 21 degrees Fahrenheit when we woke up at 6 a.m.) And I did it, running most of the way. The next race? December 4 in Arlington Heights.

3. There are only 11 get-ups until Thanksgiving. There are only 9 get-ups until Mike, Racheal and Kaylee come visit. Damn, I'm gonna need to clean.

4. I really hate it when I ask a question and get a response, but not an answer. I'm generally pretty clear (believe it or not) so I'd kinda like the occasional answer, please. Thank you.

5. Last Saturday night was my sister Kathie's 50th birthday party, at Luigi's House. My dad told me the party was at Key Wester. Yes, he thinks he's funny. (I caught on because I know Key Wester has closed; try harder next time, will ya?)

6. My knee is a little tender today, but it made it all the way through the race happily and without incident. Let's hope this is a trend!

7. It's in the upper 60s here in Chicagoland, and I'm loving it. So far, autumn has been perfect. Some chilly days, some downright cold days, and then days like this. True Indian summer, folks ... enjoy it while it lasts.

8. Of course, the fact that it's dark when I leave work now sorta cuts into my enjoyment of the weather. I'd like to go for a run, but it's dark. Must invest in some reflective gear.

9. I need a haircut. That means I need to go to Wisconsin ... and I don't know when I'm going to have time to do that! Calgon, take me away.

10. I am so looking forward to the holidays ... mostly because between Thanksgiving and the new year, I have 11 weekdays when I'm not working. Between vacation and holidays, I'm getting a much-needed break. A little time to breathe ... is just around the corner.

Ten on the day after my sister Kathie's 50th birthday

1. Today is election day. I woke up early so I could vote before work, because Tuesday is really my only non-negotiable gym night. I always have this moment of panic before I walk into the polling place, as if they'll turn me away or something weird will happen. But I go, and when I'm finished, I feel like I did something important. I'd do it again if I could.
2. What is it about human nature that makes us think, at times, that we are not worthy when good things come our way? I roll pretty well when things go bad. I practically expect it. But when someone is generous to me, or when something incredible happens ... I find it almost impossible to handle. Something to work on, right?
3. I'm really nervous about the race on Saturday. I know I can do it. The worst case scenario is that I'm the last person in the 5k to cross the finish line. I'm a really slow runner; it's possible that I'll crawl across the finish while some of the 15k folks are finishing. I'm trying to be okay with that. My biggest fear in the world, believe it or not, is making a fool of myself. So cross your fingers that we don't have that kind of episode on Saturday, because I'd really like to not suck at this. I've been assured that adrenaline will help propel me forward, and I'm sure the chocolate at the end will help, too. I'll just be glad when it's over ... and I can focus on the next race.


Actual photo of me in my last 5k.



4. The weight is taking its sweet time coming off. Sure, 18.5 pounds over the course of 11 weeks is a little over a pound and a half per week. That's nothing to sneeze at. Do that over the course of a year and we're talkin' major change. But I'd kinda like to don a bathing suit next June and not run the risk of being harpooned. Just whining at this point. Do not send bonbons to soothe my soul.
5. A cream cheese jalapeno popper has 73 calories. Just sayin'.
6. I'm going away but staying home over the holidays. What? Yeah. A friend of mine, who lives in a beautiful big awesome house in Long Grove (a quaint little tourist town to the North) is going away for three weeks, and I get to house-sit. She has two cats, so it might be a challenge introducing Benld to the mix, but other than that, I can't foresee any negatives. Sure, my drive to work will be a little longer, but from December 24 through January 4, I'm not workin', anyway. It will be a wonderful little respite for writing, scrapbooking and relaxing, plus focusing on the diet and exercise. Doesn't that sound like the perfect way to usher in a new year?
7. I will be exceedingly glad when this election is over. I'm a very "live-and-let-live" kinda girl, but when you're ignorant and loud, I really don't need to hear from you again. Thank you for not mailing me any more propaganda; you suck. (This goes for both sides.)
8. Mike and Racheal will be here in just a few weeks. You know what that means? Pie.
9. My sister Kathie turned 50 yesterday. One by one, my sisters are approaching this milestone birthday. Pat did it last year, and Jenn's turn will be in a few years. Then, it will be me. 50. It still seems old to me. I can't believe I have sisters who are 50 years old, much less that I will celebrate turning the same age in ... well ... not too long! (It's out there, waiting!) Lots to accomplish between now and then; look out, world!
10. As much as I'm not a good runner, I'm a worse sit-up-doer. I suck at crunches, and pretty much all ab-related activities. (Which means I need to do them more; grr!) I'm so bad at it that I use every available muscle group to help. Yesterday, I was still feeling the pain from Saturday's workout. In my neck. How sad is that? So, post-race, that will be my focus: discovering the six-pack, buried deep behind the keg.