Happy New Year!

It's my one-year blogging anniversary!
Overall, I am happy with this blog.  I feel like I am growing with it-learning to write better posts, selecting topics-and posting fairly regularly.
I have been quiet lately-but I promise, there is a good reason-and I have several posts sitting and waiting final editing.

 Here are the goals I set for the year 2010 and how I did:

1) Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))
--This goal wasn't accomplished.  Various reasons.
2) Exercise regularly
--I was doing great-I lost 20 pounds.  I was walking 15+ miles a week.  I ran a whole mile-I was working on 2 miles. Then something derailed me-and it got cold and it snowed.  I am back to walking-inside and I will keep it up-but running miles-not for several months-think fall.
3) Eat healthier
-I really feel like I  accomplished this goal.  I eat more whole foods.  I eat less processed foods.  My lunches and dinners are good portions and my snacks are healthy. It isn't 100% but I feel like I am at a good place-and it isn't a struggle at all! 
4) Minimize the clutter in my house
 -I organized every room in the house this summer.  I cleaned, I boxed up for yard sales, I donated, I scrubbed the walls even-but it doesn't feel better.  For 2 reasons: 1 I live with a pack rat-who won't let me go thru his stuff.  2) the basement. 50% is the pack-rats.  25% needs gone through by me (and trashed/donated). 25% is still sitting there waiting on a yard sale
5) Grow out my nails
-I tried-and failed. It will happen-eventually.
6) Pay off my own credit cards.
-I paid off my car.  I paid off half of a credit card.  It's difficult with a husband who has been out of work for over a year.

I am not setting specific goals for 2011.  Just general ideas:


I plan on continuing to eat healthy, exercise regularly, spend wisely, decrease debt, increase savings and do things that make me happy and build my happy family.  
I want to take more pictures, learn to use my new photo editing software, continue reading great books and clean that basement.
I want my walls to have framed photos on them-not just in my computer. 

Above all-I want 2011 to be a wonderfully happy and memorable year.

Insanity

My husband thinks I am insane.  and maybe I am.
I peruse the pictures of kids in foster care that are potentially available for adoption monthly.  It's an obsession.  It's a huge obsession-I want right now to start the process.  Actually, I wish it was already started.  I have criteria established-basically age and what level/kind of (any) "issues" we could handle.

So, he was not surprised when I shoved the computer at him and said, "Look-I want to adopt them-and I am serious."

He was not surprised at that.  I have pointed out several children before.  Usually to get him thinking about starting the process-because it can take awhile to even get approved-and "those children" will most likely be adopted...or older than we want to adopt.

He was surprised at what I showed him-a sibling group.  Not of 2...or 3 siblings...but 4 siblings.  4 perfectly adorable siblings under our age criteria.  4 children with "issues" that appear reasonable (it's foster care people-there are always issues)  4 siblings who I know I would love.  1 stop shopping.  1 crazy adoption process.  4 beautiful kids?  4 beautiful related-look alike-kids!

He thinks I am insane- and I am.  But, we could do this, right?

Ok-I admit.  The dreaming side of me is insane.  The reality side of me is trying to comprehend housing, feeding and clothing them with our budget-- from zero to 4 kids overnight.  all at once? but the dreaming side has me-well, dreaming.  All night I dreamed of them.

I am insane.  But.....what if we could do this?

For now, I will dream....

A running update

The good:
I can run a mile consistently.  I DO run a mile consistently.  I typically walk a mile, then run, then walk the rest-totaling 4 miles.
I worked up to 1.5 miles and was ready to move on and then got something-a mild cold, an allergy overload-something-which had me take a couple days off and then walk only for a day or so--and I was back to struggling to go over a mile.

The bad(?)

-I am really only running on mostly downhill graded trails. It isn't 100% downhill and you don't really notice the incline-it usually looks flat.  It has just been the way it is-not by design untilthis weekend.  Since I need a mile warm up-and that's the way the trail is.


 I have started attempting to run as much of my "easiest" neighborhood walk-which has some hills.  I do this on the days I can't get home before dark (and therefore trail running is out) and I don't have time/desire for my long neighborhood walk with the steep hills.  I need to be able to run hills-I feel like I struggle more than I should-so it's a mini monster I am battling. 

Also, I am so uncoordinated I never seem to get into a groove-I feel like I am just plodding along-and that I will fall flat on my face any minute. I envy those who run with ease. I just--don't.  My pace varies and I just can't figure out how to work on making this steady and easy.  If I have to adjust something (the ipod, lapping my stopwatch on my phone) I feel like I am flailing about. I mean I am so clumsy I tripped over the computer cord (again) and walked by my husband and knocked over several things on the end table with an empty laundry basket (again).  Within an hour-Yestderday.   Recently, when running, I hit my ankle with the heel of my other show-causing a bruise.  Which bothered me for 2 weeks.  Any tips?

So my 2 goals now are:
increase my running distance
increase my abiity to run hills

So-on goal # 1:
I decided to split a longer run on the trail-something I don't have time for now with this time change during the week.  In order to increase my distance-I looked at the trail and decided to go with another section of the trail with more downhill incline than up.  
 Yesterday, I walked 1.2 miles, ran 1.8, walked 1.8, ran 1 mile and walked .2 (3 miles out and back on the Montour trail-conveniently sectioned out for me). 
I figured this is the best way to increase my distance and time...and this will increase my endurance. Over time, I will run the entire 2.8 without a walking break.

Goal #2:  My "daily" 1 mile+ will be in the opposite direction.  To up my hills (and really, it's only a slight grade-that's what Bothers me about how much I struggle!)  and I will continue attempting to run my "easy walk" neighborhood route-



The Ugly:
My shoes.   They are driving me crazy.  They have been wonderful in keeping me from being injured-and allowing me to actually run.  But something is just not right with them anymore.
The left foot is mostly good.  I have to adjust the way it is tied it a little-not much.  Not worries.  It is the right foot that is insane.  If you look at both feet.  The right laces are pulled so much closer than the left.  They must be tight-but over the bone in my foot-not tight-not loose.  Where I tie them they have to be loose to allow movement-firmly tied hurts.  If the shoes are not exactly right-my knee clicks.  and clicks.  and clicks.  I had to adjust them 4 times the other day-and they still weren't right.  I don't have enough miles on these shoes to say they are worn out.  Throwing them in the washer helps.  I only had to adjust them once after the last wash.  I think they are stretching out over a week or two.  I need new shoes.  I need to go back to the running store and get re-fitted.  I know this.  But money's tight-so I will make due.

I need a Nike+ sensor, too because I am obsessed with timing my walks and runs--and keeping track of the distance.  My current method is not my favorite-since it's my phone and any calls stop it.

Since I am new to running-does anyone have any tips?

Cross this off my bucket list!

I ran my first whole mile today. Ever.

This may not seem like a big thing to you-but to me it is monumental.

Having unmedicated asthma and severe airborne allergies-sports were never my thing.
I wanted to run, but was never successful.
The farthest I have run in the past was 440 yards.  (1/4 mile / 1 time around a track)-and that was after a couple months of trying.

Now, with asthma and allergies controlled and a strong desire to succeed, I am attempting to run again.  It has not been easy.  I tried the Couch to 5K program.  I never even made it past Week 1.
I didn't have the right shoes and got patellar tendonitus. My knee became too stiff to walk steps easily.

I gave up twice and let my body heal-and bought new shoes.  I lost 10 pounds.

I have great motivators, however, via Twitter and daily mile.  My friends run.  5K, 10K and half-marathons.  I want that. (at least the 5K part).

This summer I have walked several times a week.  Faster and Faster.  I began running the short blocks here and there on my route that was flat.  I increased my running.  I made sure to have lots of rest days and "just walking" days.

Today, I ran a whole mile on a flat trail. I walked the mile back-telling myself the whole time to take it easy because I really wanted to run intervals back.

I am sure I will hurt tomorrow.  The muscles above my ankles/lower part of shin burned the last part of the run.

It will be worth it!  It felt great!  I can't wait to do it again!

End of Month update-April

I'm not sure why I am updating this month-it was a bad month for my goals.   I don't know why, but the month flew by.  I'm stressed and under motivated.  Also, I apparently started watching waaaaaay too many tv shows this fall. It didn't become apparent when hubby came home from his internship because many shows were on hiatus.  But now,  they are all on (the same nights-which forces me to record at least one) and it's the Stanley cup playoffs-hockey is on and we watch all the games.  Add in a weekend at my Mom's, a weekend without power and hubby's refusal to let me delete 10 hours of sports games from the DVR because he wants to record them (remember last month the DVD recorder broke-we can't afford a new one!!!!) and you have a DVR full of unwatched shows.
SO I am behind on some of my favorite shows.  In reality, we are talking 5 or 6 hours of weekly TV shows here-not 20.  I just can't find the viewing time.  It's just tv which is no big deal--but right now it is my only source of entertainment because funds are tight.  No worries, I will eventually catch up-the wonders of the internet and all.  Maybe before next season starts (?????)

Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))
-No progress.

2) Exercise regularly
I bought shoes.  I have worn them around the house.  Once the rain goes away i will begin walking.  I did lose some weight-which I have most likely regained.

3) Eat healthier
-This, I have done about 80% of the time this month. 

4) Minimize the clutter in my house
-We still have not recovered from last month's rearrangement of the "junk room" into a bedroom.  Next up:  Cleaning the basement.  i just need an entire sunny day when I don't have to do yard work. 

5) Grow out my nails
-nope.  however, I am working on decreasing the stress part of this issue

6) Pay off my own credit cards.
This is such an overwhelming task with a husband jobless and experiencing some health issues.  Also, there are just things we MUST do-like take our dog to the vet when she got hurt, more vet bills for flea and heartworm meds, car repairs.  We DO over spend at times.  We DO eat out a few times (but this has reduced greatly).  We DO do some fun things (we had free tickets to a Pirates game-but spent probably $40 on parking and food (hey we HAD to eat out-no power for an entire weekend!)  but we are consciously trying to minimize all of this.

May WILL be better, right?

End of March

it is time for my monthly update on my goals.  I have found I think about them more since I have made a commitment to update monthly.

1) Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))

-No progress.  Except that we turned our 2nd bedroom from a computer room/junk room to a real bedroom. We did this because when hubby gets a job and we feel we can feed a child we will have a room.  To me-it's progress. baby steps.

2) Exercise regularly
-I have been walking more.  I went to a runners/walkers store and got some advice.  I now need to save for the expensive shoes I need.  I gave up on the possessed treadmill.  The weather is nicer and I am walking outside.

3) Eat healthier
-This, I have done about 80% of the time this month.  I have lost a few pounds. I slip up-but try not to worry about it-and do better the next day.  It is much harder when I am off work.

4) Minimize the clutter in my house
-Well, turning the junk/office room back into a bedroom caused some major furniture rearrangement.  We still have 2 things sitting in the way that need to be sold.  I went through a bunch of paperwork and my husband actually cleaned his closet.  He got rid of exactly 4 things. I'm waiting for more warmth before I tackle the basement-and yard sale.

5) Grow out my nails
-nope.  I think this one is a little too much.  I don't know why.  I just can't do it.  My thin nails break-and I can't afford manicures right now. I am also very stressed.

6) Pay off my own credit cards.
-I think the best I can say this month is I didn't really ADD to the credit cards.  We are really stretched right now with only 1 income and 2 income bills.   I did sell a bunch of old work books and made $100 or so.  That will go towards our balances. Oh-did I mention that in ONE WEEK the vcr, dvd recorder, shop vac, fish light, fish pump and Big ass TV's bulb blew AGAIN.  That sucker is NOT cheap.  Also, Insurance, cable, internet and water all went up this month. Permanently.  We have had to pay out of pocket for some medical expenses and things will probably get worse before they get better.

Overall-I think it's progress. Not as much as I hoped-and mostly in the eating and decluttering areas. But progress is progress.

End of Month Update

It is time for my monthly update on my New Years Goals:


1) Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))
No progress.  Seriously, the husband needs a job so we can stop taking money out of savings (or adding onto the already outrageous credit cars) every month for things like food and gas.  We are getting a twin bed and a chest-and (eventually getting all the junk out) turning the spare (storage, former "office" overall catch-all)  room into an official bedroom.

2) Exercise regularly
Some progress.  I asked my sister, who lives up the street, if I can use the treadmill.  Since her spare key is awol-she said she'd leave the door open for me since she leaves for work not too long before I get off. So-days 1-3 she forgot to leave it open. It is such an automatic process-to lock the door.  It would take me awhile to remember, too.  Day 4 she left it open-and I met with the Possessed Treadmill.  It's older and well used by the parents.  It is truly possessed.  It doesn't like me (and considering Sis and her Mom are half my size I am probably the heaviest person (because I'm taller and no where close to being in shape like they are) it has met-unless Dad stepped on it).  Let's just say that I have to hold onto the rails the entire time because it feel like it goes backwards just a tiny bit every so many steps.  It tried to throw me into her saltwater tank more than once.  I seriously catalogued each piece of furniture and where my head would hit when it manages to succeed in its mission to eject me (notice I said when, not if.)   It also just flat out stopped after 10 minutes-then 12-then 16 minutes and I gave up at .90 (that's not even a mile-but it was something).  A powwow with sis revealed that the Possessed Treadmill overheats in the summer and it is now sitting on a heater vent (fyi-I think it's the exchange vent but it isn't my house so what do I know).  I tried again yesterday-drug the Possessed Treadmill into the living room (and that is not easy to do) so it wasn't by the heater vent-hung on and got about 1.5 miles out of it-it did stop 3 times but I popped the lid on it and that seemed to at least get me going for half a mile each time.  Also, it only half-heartedly tried to throw me off. Probably because there wasn't any furniture behind me to crack my head on.


3) Eat healthier
I have been cutting down my portion size and paying attention to breakfast, lunch and dinner most of the time.  I bought some healthy snacks.  I still need to do much more.  I am drinking water-except my morning coffee(s) for most liquid intake.


4) Minimize the clutter in my house
2 steps forward, 3 steps back.  Husband and I sorted through some storage in the house during the snow storm.  We went through the knick-knacky things and put away for a spring yardsale the things that we have outgrown.  We went through together the "trunk I avoided like the plague" to dust it and took out everything but the John Lennon baby stuff we bought when we actually thought we would have a baby one day.  I cried the entire time.  That's why I avoid the trunk.  And I can't bring myself to give it away.  I still hope.  I went through my work stuff again and came up with another stack of books to sell-emptied an entire file cabinet (recycled all the paper) and refilled the filing cabinet with books-which emptied an entire 4 shelf bookshelf.  We are not even 1/4 way through everything-the basement is the big area and we need a yard sale and to sell some furniture-which we will do as soon as Spring gets here.
One of the obstacles of the whole "cleaning out the basement is My husband.  He is the ultimate pack Rat.  At least half the basement is "his stuff" and the other half is a combination of stuff in this order: Christmas, gardening/lawn, tools, stuff for yard sale, my stuff, washer/dryer, cat.  Not even exaggerating one bit.  I didn't even count his tools in his half.  He just giving me lip service when I ask him to go through it and thin it out.  No action.  He has, in plain sight, a bag of clothes he will never fit in again-and if he does he should never wear in public again.  Yet, he refuses to donate it.  I have offered to make a T-Shirt Quilt for him of the (mosty sports) t-shirts in the bag. He just thinks "one day" he will be the size he was at 17.  I hope not.
 Here is where we go backward in the endeavor to de-clutter: we added furniture and other stuff this week.  My elderly grandfather has given up his apartment and resides full time in the nursing part of his retirement village.  My grandmother has been in the nursing area for a couple years.  All of us picked out a few things to keep.  We absolutely don't have the room right now-but this is something I must do if I want the furniture. 

5) Grow out my nails
Nope not even close.  I recall the most success I have had is when I was on medication for fatigue.  My current doctor won't prescribe it.  It was some mild antidepressant but truly prescribed for fatigue (caused by stress).  I dieted, exercised, lost weight and grew out my nails on it-something I have not done since I stopped taking it.  hmmm  food for thought)

6) Pay off my own credit cards.
I didn't pay off a credit card-but I did take the money gifted to me at Christmas-combined with some money I had from a job I did-and paid off my car!  Yay!  Now if only I could pay off the truck with the big payment-we would be on easy street! Yeah-not gonna happen unless I hit the lottery.  My husband payed off one of his very small cards-and because they made him angry-he will cancel it.  Yes!
We continue to pay for everything except gas with cash.  I think it is helping me not spend money-but husband just gets more cash out when he runs out.  Baby steps.

I am not even sure how to categorize this months progress.  The snowiest month ever has fogged my brain.  Also adding stuff seems to impede out progress since we had to move things around to make room-and it's all piles and tight fitting around here now.  I cannot wait for yard sales and to put the furniture on Craig's List.

Any one need a computer desk or a recliner (dark green)?

End of Month Update

It's the end of the month and I thought I should update you (and myself) on my new year's resolutions:

Here is the list from my 1st post:

In the year 2010 I WILL:
1) Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))


Still the same. Husband needs to get a job OR we need to hit the lottery: Translation-we need to pay off some bills.

2) Exercise regularly
I am pulling together some exercises from magazines. need to buy new shoes because my last venture into exercising ended in Patellar Tendonitus after 5 days of 30 minutes exercise (and not a lot of jumping!) I am considering taking up running. NEed to wait for bitter cold to go away sonce it aggravates my asthma.

3) Eat healthier
I have modified my lunches to things like hummus and pita, beans and corn tortillas. I hate to pack sandwiches so this is win-win. May start South Beach Diet-need Hubby to agree to diet with me first.

4) Minimize the clutter in my house
I am making headway in the main part of the house-I went through all the magazines gathering dust and tore out the articles or recipes I wanted to keep. Cleaned my closet and night stand. hubby cleaned his night stand. Need to go through the knock-knacks and get rid of the ones that no longer appeal to us or have no sentimental value. Hubby needs to be in on this-I am planting the seeds as he is the ultimate pack-rat and needs to get used to the idea.

5) Grow out my nails
No Progress.

6) Pay off my own credit cards.
No progress in this-they are probably higher since hubby has needed glasses and is in process of some major dental work. We have instituted a cash-only system to buy things. Once cash is gone-if we need something it has to come from our dwindling savings-we are hoping that this will help us stop stupid spending. Paying with debit cards is just too easy and no connection to how much we actually spend until we pay bills.

I think it has been a decent month for my resolutions-not great-but a decent start.

Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2009 and Hello 2010.

I am tired of making "resolutions."
Instead, I am going to set goals.

In the year 2010 I WILL:
1) Adopt a child. (Become foster parent as part of process(?))
2) Exercise regularly
3) Eat healthier
4) Minimize the clutter in my house
5) Grow out my nails
6) Pay off my own credit cards.

These goals to me are more like Demands. They must occur. (Ok-growing out my nails isn't essential but I really, really want to have pretty nails)