Feelin' it Friday

Well, here it is folks!  The end of the week, the end of the month and I was bound and determined I would clear another 100 miles like I did last month.  Yes, in August I was able to get 100.7 miles clocked in 24 workouts.  I believe, if I can trust my basic math, that averages to 4.2 miles per run.  I was very happy to be able to get that done.
I was going along fairly well.  This month started out fast and I was furious with my miles.  Then I hit my speedbump.  I was off a few days where work consumed me and my time and left me not thinking about going out to run.  I got in a mere two workouts one week and it was only because I had done them early on.  That left me facing a deficit of 25 miles this last week if I wanted to reach another 100 miles by the end of the month, well, by today!  I went into this past Monday knowing I had to do 5 miles for 5 days.  Whew!  What?  But I didn't react that way.  I kept it matter of fact.  I kept it okay, do this one day at a time.  Day one...day two...day.... thr..ee....can I, do I, I don't...I don't think...
By day three I took another look at where I was.  I was tired.  I only had two days left but I was slipping.  But I realized I was at 93.39 miles on Wednesday after my run.  So I broke it down again.  Two days,  7.31 miles left if I want to match the 100.7 from last month - divide by two...3.66 miles per day.  Oh.  not too bad...but, of course, I'm telling myself I could do more than 3 miles, can't I? Then the other part of me is saying, hey!  you've already got 25+ miles clocked for the week since you aren't even counting that you ran 8 miles on Sunday that wasn't part of this equation - give it a rest. 
So, this is where I am at this morning...the last day of the week, the last day of the month.  I am sitting at 99.1 miles.  I have had 17 workouts which averages to 5.8 miles per run.  That is more than 1.5 miles higher than my average run last month.  I have decided I will run a quick three miles during my lunch today that will put me over the 100 mile marker for the second month in a row and enjoy the Friday afternoon as I choose. 
Not such a bad way to end out the week, the month.  Somehow, I'm not feeling quite so tired any more!  Fridays seem to do that for me.  Not sure why, do you?
TT

Keeping up

The hardest thing I've had to do this week is keep up with myself.  Guess, what?  The week isn't over yet.  I have two days left including today and tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.  Those two days will not only count as the end of the week but also the end of the month.  I almost can't wait.  Yes.  For the end of the week.  To know I've pushed hard this week and will be able to get through it and have my small celebratory time afterward.  Unless I am too exhausted.  From the week.  To feel like celebrating and just need the time to re-coop.  Uh-Uh. 
It sure doesn't make any sense to work hard toward an end if there is no joy somewhere along the way or at least in the near future.  I might go on about this week but no one is making the rules for me except myself.  And truthfully, even if I keep my own rules for the next few days I will still be ahead of my own game.  I've put things into place early to make sure if I felt any wavering at this point I would have the opportunity to not drive so hard here at the end of it.  And I'm not ready to stop.  I'm almost there. 
TT

Quietly

A few moments were taken to sit quietly in the evening after a long day. It could be turning into a long week or a flash gone quickly. A mere pause in the chaotic blur of activities. A slight moment to take in the calm before starting again.
The day was settling into dusk and darker than it should have been. Clouds had gathered and blocked much of the light from the setting sun. They held it back for the few relaxing minutes being spent to unwind and renew. A wind picked up. The trees rustled and a breeze wound its way around the small circle of comfort. It cooled and refreshed. It teased of moisture and blew a little harder. It persuaded head to settle back against the chair and eyes to flutter closed to feel the cool against cheeks and soothe away the day. The scents and sounds whirled close by and held a rhythmic beat of pleasant tranquility. The movements surrounding held the world at bay for those brief, needed moments. It was enough to pick up and start again.
It waited until after rising and retreating back to the routine to release. The clouds went darker and seemed to move closer to the earth. The rain broke through and whispered invisibly. The force of it could only be seen when its own light cracked the sky in silent brilliance. It was only enough to illuminate the slanting dashes pounding quietly down to revitalize and restore.
A small storm to clear and refresh. A silent rain as to not to disturb.
A moment in the day to stay quiet and still.
TT

Nothing

Let's face it.  I've got nothin' today.  Either I've been so busy that outside activities have taken up all my attention or I have just reached an all time blank.  I've probably been sitting here trying to think something up for a good thirty minutes or so and I know by now it isn't going to materialize. 
Too many distractions, too many things going in one direction or the other - that is what has been going on but I don't know for sure if that is why I'm coming up with a deficit today or not.  Can too many thoughts prevent me from having one?
I think I'll just leave it today and give it a rest.  I sort of have to since I've got nothing, don't I?
TT

Angel Cake

Sunday afternoon:  It was the middle of the day and I needed to take a short break from my activities.  Football was dominating the other room so I retreated into the bedroom, sprawled across the bed and turned on the television for some mindless distraction that would keep me still for a few minutes.  I clicked on a few random channels and (I am not kidding, really) this is what I got...Property Virgins, Sister Wives, Bridezillas and Maneater.  What?  Four random channels in succession and that is what is offered over football?  Really?  The agitation was building so I took a breath and realized I have shows recorded.  Ah!  Yes...there it is.  One of my favorite cooking shows largely due to the host, Laura Calder, who manages to stay calm, mellow and makes you feel like you are in her kitchen instead of being taught through a camera lens (the music is great, too)!  I tuned into an episode of her French Food at Home and it was doing the trick for my bit of relaxing.  Then she started on a dessert that had only four ingredients.  "Angel Cake," she said.  But the french version with whole eggs instead of Angel FOOD cake which uses only egg whites.  That was it for my break.  I left the room, knowing I had those four ingredients and went directly to the kitchen.

Here are the four ingredients:  6 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup sifted flour.  That's it!

Start by separating the eggs.

Whip them up into stiff peaks.  (Yes, that is only egg whites).

Add the egg yolks one at a time, then the vanilla and sugar.  Finally add the flour in slowly and the batter should be blended and ribbony when poured.

Here is the part I had a little trouble.  The recipe called for baking at 400 degrees for one hour.  On the show - she said 45 minutes and watch the cake since you want to bake through to the center.  It's a big cake.  You make it in your spring form pan (like I do for my cheesecakes).  The problem was I left for 45 minutes and I thought it was already too long.  I think it was a bit overdone so I will be cutting back on some of the time in the oven next time.

In any case, I let cool for 15 minutes, took it out of the pan and sprinkled with confectioners sugar.

Okay - she used blackberries.  I had a fresh pear left from last week which I diced and added to some raspberry preserves I had in the fridge.  A dab of bottled whipped cream and I was done!  It has the same taste and texture of an angel food cake but slightly richer and not as sticky.  A great cake!

And what a better way to take a break on a Sunday afternoon instead of the mind-numbing offerings (really? - Property Virgins, Sister Wives, Bridezillas and Maneater) of really bad television - in my humble opinion, anyway.  They certainly couldn't serve up the comfort and good feelings a little time in the kitchen with this simple cake could, that's for sure!

TT

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Here is the link to the recipe.  It is from Laura Calders French Food at Home episode Summer Buffet.   http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/angel-cake-with-blackberries-and-white-currants-recipe/index.html

Stop, breathe

So here I am Sunday morning thinking I was getting a head start on the day.  It's already almost 7:00am!  I am just finishing my first cup of coffee, I've already cleared my emails of the "specials of the day", which was the only thing it contained this morning, and I am already feeling this sense of urgency to get moving.  I was thinking I might have already gotten one other thing done but I want to head out for a run as soon as there is a tiny bit more light outdoors.  And I wanted to write a bit and I wanted to...
I can see where this might be going today if I don't take that cleansing breath now and settle down.  It could turn into another one of my frantic, work the whole day, push hard, get exhausted and still not get everything I had in my head done which leaves me anxious about the things that didn't get done (and exhausted).
The difference this morning from ones like this in the past is that I know to take that cleansing breath.  I know exactly how I am feeling that sense of urgency.  It has taken me a long time to recognize it.  It is too easy to get caught up into it.  I won't put anything off but I won't attack them like a long list of chores instead of the want to do's they really are.  And today is my free time, right?  It's the perfect time to leave the rigid schedule behind.  I decide when and the order I do the things today so I don't have to fret about getting them all done.  I'll get to them, but because I want to do them, not because they have become a long list of things to do.
And looky here now...I've gotten that tiny bit of light outdoors to head out for a run.  I'm actually ready to hit publish on this post.  That one other thing I wanted to do will get done after I get back.  Then I have the rest of the morning, I have the rest of the day, to fill in all the other blanks of my want to do's.
Good start to my day, my free time off, I think.  The miracle is in the cleansing breath.
And smiling doesn't hurt.
TT

It's done

This is at least the third time I have tried to complete this post.  I started it early this morning, wrote a short time, saved it as a draft and have opened it again a minimum of 3-4 times to continue, finish and publish.  It was to no avail.  There seems to be one thing or another that keeps popping up for me to do that takes me away from this particular task at hand.  That task would be writing and actually finishing this post! 
So now that I have gotten that out of my system...and I haven't been interruped yet again...what was I talking about to begin with?  Oh, yes...this is what I had saved.

I cleared my home desk of sticky notes and index cards (yes, again). I went through and got rid of all the things I had written down when I wanted to remember something but was rushing out the door. I took the time to read each one and sort through the pile. I found I had already written up some of the ideas I had scribbled on the notes. I found I had already completed items that were written up as a checklist.  Then I found some notes that were just...just...well, what were they?   I'm not exactly sure how to classify them. Like this one. I wrote down..."talk longer, edit later." Or, "Write as if you are going for a run. Enjoy the process." Or how about, "If I want to re-write as I go back to re-read, IT'S OKAY."
I don't know what to call those. I think I was giving myself reminders on my writing but I'm not exactly sure what to call those. The last bit was more of my stubborn, rebellious nature since everyone always tells me just to write and not edit as I go.  It's a little contradictory for me to grant myself permission by saying, It's okay, when I had already reminded myself to talk (write) longer, edit later.  I've gotten much better at the trying to edit every time I re-read my longer pieces of my writing.  I've gotten better at editing shorter pieces too.  So I don't think I need the reminders or the - well, the...whatever they are.  Sticky notes and index cards.  They're gone now.  I have managed to clear the desk (yes, again).  It's always amusing to re-read them after I've forgotten what I wrote on them.  It can really make me wonder what I was thinking when I wrote them, while dashing out the door.

How appropriate I would have written this on a day when I have been dashing in and out of this particular draft.  That I have been using my sticky notes and index cards when I knew I wouldn't have time to type them up and finish them.  Sort of like this post - except instead of an index card I actually saved the draft.  The curious part is that sure enough...when I came back now to re-read it...I couldn't remember what I was thinking when I wrote it. 
But at least now I'm calling it finished!  Can you tell I have something (else) now that is pressing for my time?
TT   

100

Today, September 22nd, is the 265th day of this year. There are 365 days to each year so by simple calculation there are 100 days left in 2011. I have already gone through, x'd out, flipped the calendar page over to get to today, the 265th day of this year.
That leaves 100 days. Is that a lot or not so much? What can I do with the next 100 days and am I happy with what I have done with the number of days past? I would hope I can say things have gone fairly well. There will always be things that happen I wish didn't or had gone better. But for the most part it's more important to know that it isn't about the whole 365 days but today. What about today?
Today I am writing the 270th post for this year. Today I am feeling pretty good about a lot of things that have come to pass. Today I think I have progressed much more than I ever thought I would or could. It's come in small steps this time. It has been daily steps that might have been more slowly taken but more surely placed. It has been about not getting tied up to the things that haven't worked but to decide what to do about them in order to have time for the things that do. And to do it now. Today. Because the sooner I work that out, the more days I will have to push forward on the things I would rather be tied to. The things I would rather be making decisions about and working towards.
It all takes a number of days, strewn together, moving ahead, going forward. There are 100 days left in this year but really...what I really have is today.
TT

Time

I am having a few minor difficulties coming out of vacation mode and going back to my routine Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day job.  I have found myself feeling restricted by the clock.  It is that feeling and necessity that I have to be somewhere and do something other than what I would rather be doing at a particular time.  I am missing the ability to decide to change what I am doing based on the freedom of not being bound by the clock and having a timetable, but to be able to work until I am done.  I stayed at my home desk a little too long yesterday morning.  I wasn't at a stopping point but when I glanced at the time I knew I had to leave.  Once I got going, I realized the wonderful weather was making me wish I wasn't driving to work but going out for what I knew would have been an excellent morning for a run. 
Maybe I am just developing an attention deficit but I don't think so.  I would have worked longer at my home desk yesterday morning writing if I didn't have to keep my eye on the time and get going.  I wanted and was only thinking of what I was writing next and the clock stopped me.  I wasn't aware I had gone past my allotted time.  It wasn't attention deficit when I thought of doing something different, like going on that fabulous run, when I was forced to stop what I was already well into doing to get myself to work.  It was only then that I thought of the something different to do, like the run, when I was presented with the perfect environment to take advantage of it.  It wasn't when I was in the middle of writing.
So I am dealing with have to do's, want to do's, have to want to do.  I'll figure it out soon enough.  I will send out search parties to find the time, have the time, want to use the time.  But for now...I'll have to do it on my own time.
TT 

Rain

It rained on Sunday night.  It rained hard and for about an hour.  At the start I heard thunder but I wasn't impressed.  I've been teased with the symptoms of rain before without ever getting the disease.  This was one ailment that would have given many benefits, like the ones used for prevention.  I wasn't buying it.  I didn't think it would happen.
But I was wrong.  My frustration from past months of checking any and all clouds that appeared different from the plain, dry versions we have had pushed me into a non-believing state of it will never happen.  So, when I heard the thunder I didn't believe it would develop into anything more than a teasing noise.  Like I said, I was wrong.  And it rained.  I went out and opened the door.  I stared out at the happy, wet cure falling from the much studied skies.  It was a vision I had to see in order to truly absorb the reality of what was coming to pass.  Too many months of anticipation, hope and finally resolve that it wasn't in the near future, had put me off from thinking it could really be happening.  As I stood at the door studying the magnificent view there was no denying the smell and moisture and beating of each forceful drop spilling in front of me.  It was there, it was happening and it lasted longer and fell harder than anything we have experienced in many, many months.  It was fresh, cool and impactful.
It was a simple rainstorm.  A measure of tonic given to the dry and parched earth.  I gift to itself and I'd like to think for me, too.
It rained on Sunday night. 
TT

Push publish

After trying hard to take it easy yesterday I sort of had success and sort of didn't.  I did enjoy the day.  I went out for a run, had breakfast and read for a while.  I made a trip to the grocery store and did some laundry.  Then I sort of strayed and worked on de-cluttering some items on my site.  I worked on it and reviewed it and I sent an email to Dante thinking I wanted him to look at it.  I kept working on it and I got it to a point where I was thinking it was at least ready to publish but I could still go in later and make changes again if I needed.  I could keep working on it but what is ever perfect the first time?  So I left it unpublished, in case he got back to me and I went and worked in the yard instead.
So I might have failed on the part about taking the day off but it wasn't the intense amount of work I had been doing the past few days.  I am going to count it as a day off.  And this morning I looked at the site again and pushed the publish button.  I will work on it while it is live from here.  I realize there will be things that might need to change but isn't that the way of life?  Always changing, hopefully always getting a little better with the work we put into it?
That's my thought about it right now. 
TT

Sunday. I know

By this morning I knew I needed to get back into some type of normal routine again.  I have been off of work since last Thursday and at that time I proceeded to dive-in head first into a project.  I took a flying leap and didn't stop.  I pretty much spent every hour without many breaks working long days.  I actually started Wednesday evening by taking a two hour on-line course.  I didn't have to get this certification but I wanted to and did it.  Thursday morning I proceeded to research and purchase a domain name and started working on building a site with my own information.  Friday I continued with more work, more going at it, more paperwork, more creative processes.  Saturday I did the same.  It's been going on like this for three days straight!  This morning I knew I needed to slow down, take a breath and let it settle for a while.  I only decided that after I had spent another hour finishing up some last minute details.
Then I knew for sure I needed to pause.  I wanted to run.
It was an hour later than I would normally have gone out but it didn't matter.  I have lost my sense of time somewhere in the past few day anyway.  I went out slow and easy.  It took a while for my yawning muscles to remember what they were doing besides sitting bent under a desk but they caught on soon enough.  The run gave me time to think, time to pause, time to put things in order.  It was time to pull away from the project of the last few days and get some balance again.  So I have promised myself I won't think about the project today.  I will leave it for the moment, knowing I have others things to do.  It wasn't such a bad thing to get all that work done and the reason it's hard for me to put it aside right now is because I would rather keep working on it.  But it also reminded me it isn't the only thing I would like to be working on and I won't have extra, all day time to do those things.  So I have today.  Sunday.  I will take today to start the week with a day off.  I will work all these things I want to do in their proper times whether it's tomorrow or the next.  Because they are exciting and good and I want to do them.  But today, well, today I'm not sure what I will do.  What I do know, is that I will enjoy it.
TT 

I need a vacation from my vacation.
TT

Saturday. I think

What day is it?  I took two vacations days this past Thursday and Friday without any plans and managed to keep them filled with more work than I would have done if I had gone in to my regular job.  It sounds like a bad thing and even though I am confused by the extremely fast passage of those days, I am feeling really good.  Ordinarily, I might be tired.  I wouldn't have this feeling of what's next on this list of mine to get done.  I'm anxiously looking forward to the new and growing amounts of things I have to do.
I thought I would sleep later this morning with the two days of work behind me.  I didn't.  I woke to the smell of cookies in the house.  A sensory reminder of what I have been working on.  Not that I needed a reminder.  I was already thinking of the items I needed to get done before 9:30 this morning, things I was made to leave last night when I was ordered to stop (okay, I was told that was enough for the day - enough for the two days).
I am turning some of the work I have done over to Dante for final editing.  He has some input on the website I was working on which is exactly what I wanted.  Now that I have something going it is easier to go in and say this image needs gradiation and we need to make this bigger/smaller/sharper/clearer/brighter.  I should install that old application of photoshop he wanted to use and I need to package some cookies.  I need to add some wording and print some labels.  I need to take that small envelope of receipts and start my bookkeeping.  Umm...There is more but it's better I get started.  I have a window of time now that I should use.  I think I do, don't I?  Wait.  What day is it?
TT

Vacation work

I spent the majority, okay - let's be honest, all of my time yesterday working on my day off.  I was here at my desk, at home, on a vacation day I had to take, working on a website.  I started early, hemming and hawing about whether I should or shouldn't, do it or not, and finally I did.  I drank a pot of coffee while I was on the phone with the hosting sites support guy (very nice, very helpful!), got my domain name, and started putting what I wanted on web pages.  I started with a template I thought I would use and found as the day went on how much I removed and de-constructed it.  You might recognize some of the original template aspects but then maybe not.  I certainly deleted items I thought I might originally use but they are gone now with others of my own in their place.  I had to write/re-write some text.  I had to place pictures and information in the right places.  I had to decide what would best serve my purpose and how would a stranger view that information.
I got a call from Jay about 11:00am and he told me not to work all day, it was my day off.  I told him I wouldn't but it was 2:10 in the afternoon before I got up and decided I needed to eat something.  A sandwich and 40 minutes later I was back again.  It went on until almost 7:00.  It would seem like a long day but somehow it was good, it was energizing. 
I am off again today.  Another manditory vacation day that I will go back and finish some things I need to shift on my under-construction website.  I have a pretty clear plan in my head and that must be why I am getting lost in the time I am working on it.  I know I need to bake because I need more pictures.  I have definite ideas of what I need to take.  It seems I have some pretty definite ideas all throughout this process once I decided to give myself the go ahead.  I think that was all that was standing in my way.  Me and myself.  Once I gave myself permission and believed it...well, there was no stopping. 
TT

Common sense

I spent two hours yesterday taking an on-line course.  I've spent at least that much time doing research.  I found myself doing it again this morning.  I have been digging and scouring and bulking up on information on a subject that is too new and doesn't have much to go on. 
I think that is the nature of this particular beast.  I think what I am trying to find out has been purposely left short, simple, and up to interpretation.  The rule is written in political legalize in order to try to keep as many people happy without making it too clear.  That can be confusing.  It's a reason I don't ever, ever involve myself with anything political.  And yet I've gone whole hog on this brief approximately 370 word section of law that would have been so much simpler if they had left it to common sense - if anyone would ever try to use and master that concept once again! 
But I won't let it stop me, get me down, or prevent me from moving forward.  I'll take their obscure message and keep going with my best intentions for what was meant when it was written.  I may do more research just to try to reinforce that I got the idea but I think I already got it.
It is time to make it happen with as much short, simple, common-sense interpretations I've got.  And I am.  I've already invested the two hour on-line course toward it.  I have no problem investing a lot more.
TT

New law

I found out a new law was passed recently.  It is a Cottage Food Law and it allows people to actually use their home kitchen for direct sales of certain baked goods, like cookies.  You don't need to go out and find a commercial kitchen.  You don't need the licensing and expenses.  There are certain provisions that need to be followed but how could this timing be any better?  I am still going over the short law and I've enlisted help in going over it to make sure there is a general consensus on the items that will be necessary to stay within it's parameters, but this is incredible!  With the work that Dante and I have done to actually start this small cookie business going, this new legal way of operation is incredible and opens doors I didn't know how to go through before.
I am baking again either Thursday or Friday.  More cookies are needed for more pictures that will go to finish our labels and menus and price lists.  There are some specifics that need to be included now with the new law.  Not a problem!  We were still working out the few details on those items anyway.  I will also have some sample cookies ready to put out with order forms by this weekend.  Now this isn't anything on any grand scale.  This is modest, small and direct.  The law provides there can be a website but orders cannot be taken on the site itself.  No shopping cart.  So I am having Dante and Jay comb through this law to see what and how this can operate.  I'm excited.  I've got things to do and lot's to work on.  Timing is everything and this time it was perfect.  Not always, but this time, yes, about perfect. 
I'm going to take it as a good sign.
TT   

Chasing the moon

This Monday morning I was driving into work right before 7:00am. I had the top down on my convertible and the cool 70 degree breeze was whipping around me as I went. I had almost arrived when I noticed the moon was out. It was huge and bright. It was darting and hiding behind trees as I passed. I wanted to see it again but it continued to dodge out of sight. I had no choice but to drive on and pull into the parking garage at work. I went up to my desk and figured I had missed the opportunity.
As I waited for my laptop to boot up I thought why should I let the moment pass? I could grab my camera and walk down to the turn off to try another chance of seeing that big, inviting moon. It was only a short walk away and there were only a handful of people already there at work. It didn't take me long to grab my building access badge, my camera, and head out.
I walked to the end of the drive but I couldn't see the moon. That area was lower and the trees obstructed all views. I decided to walk down the perimeter road to try to find an opening in the trees where I might spy that illusive moon. I really wanted to find it. I didn't realize how far I had walked until I came up to the turn off for another building entrance. I reluctantly made my way back toward the building and had a thought I might see the moon if I took the flight of stairs up to the outside balcony at that entrance. I made it up the stairs and was searching the line of trees. It was a great view but the moon was no where to be found. A security guard came out to the balcony at that moment and casually asked if I was out for a morning walk. I tried to explain about the moon but he seemed a little skeptical. I think he was relieved when he realized I had an access badge and I wasn't letting any one else into the building. I wonder if he spotted me walking or if it was really just a coincidence that he appeared when he did. I left him on the balcony, went back into the building, and made my way back to my desk.
I didn't see the moon again. It would have been the same outcome if I had stayed at my desk and didn't make the attempt. But it seemed to make a difference in my regular, routine Monday morning. It was different and slightly thrilling. It was a little crazy and utterly spontaneous. It was a little hard to explain but it made a difference to me in doing it. Even when I was questioned and even if it was a little crazy. I think I just needed a break from a regular, routine, ordinary Monday morning. The moon came out just long enough to make me want to chase it. It had no intention of being caught, but just wanted to show me how easy it can be to change things up.
TT

Style or science?

This picture would be nice if I was showing off my Nine West cork-wedge slides.  They are very comfortable shoes and I got them on sale.  You might think that at first glance.  You also might think I've gone and done some odd, fadish, in-style for the moment, weird nail polish on my big toe.  Nope.  It isn't that either.
This noticibly, off-color toe-nail I am sporting is nothing more than the product of my own foolishness.  It is the result of wearing an old pair of running shoes I knew I needed to replace because I had broken down every benefit they had provided me during the length of the time I had used them.  I knew better and yet I continued.  This toenail was the result.  It's a classic case of runners black toenail.
I haven't had one in a long time.  I've probably lost two...or I think it's three...toenails this way before now.  I am not alone and I actually found out that some experts seem to think it happens when you go to a higher level of training.  It is also expected when the temperatures are higher which produces more swelling in the feet during those longer training periods.  It has to do with the pressure of the repetitive motion under the toes and blood flow and some kind of scientific stuff to make your toenail go black and end up looking like it does in my picture.  It doesn't hurt and the best treatment is to ignore it - which I will do, have done, and will keep doing. 
It's nice to know that I possibly got this ailment from a higher training level.  The only problem is... I'm not training.  I'm only trying to get my run on.  But hey, whatever the experts want to think is okay with me.  Who am I to argue with science and experts?  Besides, I've already got my new running shoes and they cover up the mismatched toenail.  So, all things considered...aren't those Nine West slides nice?  They are very comfortable and did I say they were on sale?  Could you hand me the nail polish?
TT

Any other phrases?

Up and running.
A fairly well-used phrase.  I believe more abstractly than literally but not for me, not this morning.  I literally got up, had a cup of coffee, the power went out at home, and I went for a run.  It was pretty much I got up and went running.  Up and running.  Saturday mornings are supposed to be that way.  Sunday mornings too, and really any day I don't have to be at work.  It's that time when I have time.  The weather tries to cooperate and I can get in my long run of the week. 
I knew I needed it this morning.  I have been running 25 miles a week for the past few weeks and I had 20 miles clocked but I had also missed three days.  I wanted to get up and run 7 miles this morning to put me slightly over my 25 miles for the week. (I count my weeks Sunday through Saturday).  So I got up, set my sensor for seven miles and headed out.  The weather was in full cooperation with a mild 65 degrees.  I had mapped out my route in my head.  I was up and running.  The whole time I kept thinking I really wanted to run 10 miles instead of seven.  As I went along I replotted my route to try to get in the extra three miles.  If I ran this and looped again but not as far and if I needed to bail I could still turn at this point...  Then I just didn't think about it anymore and did it.  Yes.  The 10 miles.  I not only got my 25 miles for the week but up'd it to 30 miles this week.  I haven't done a ten mile run this entire year.  The longest I have run this year was 8 miles back on May 7th.  I had done 11 miles back in November last year a week after I officially ran the Half Marathon.  That's it.  (Well, I mean that's it for the long runs...lot's of short 3-4 miles inbetween).  So I am feeling pretty good about that.  I am feeling really good about the 10 miles.  It's been a long time coming which is another fairly well-used phrase.  I'll use them all day as long as they apply.  Today, these seem to apply.  Up and running and a long time coming.  Both well worth the time and the doing.
TT

Cure

I completely blew off running the past two days.  The first day I had an appointment after work and I was coming off a six day stretch of consecutive running days so I thought it would be best to take a rest day.  I was actually thinking on the way home after my appointment that I could still swing by the gym and run but I nixed the idea and went home.  Yesterday there was no excuse.  I was just being a wah-wah lazy girl.  I just decided not to go when there was no real reason for me to skip.  So now I have had two rest days in a row and I should be primed.  Somehow a bit of that wah-wah is still left over.
Maybe it will clear by the time my day is rounding the get-off-of-work corner.  If not, I will rely on the lessons learned from my 21 day habit gambit and trust that all I need to do is get to the gym.  Just go, drive, arrive and get to the gym.  That is all.  The rest takes care of itself.
I guess I could try to figure out what gave me the wah-wah's in the first place but I am thinking and hoping they will just go away on their own.  I think it's just an end of the week type of thing that will wind down as soon as it gets close to quitting time.  That might be it.  Quitting time.  Known cure for the wah-wah's.  I'll be up and running again in no time!
TT 

What did you say?

Have you ever done something just because it would take too much energy to refuse?  Nothing bad, of course, but something you don't particularly want to do or have no interest in.  The kind of thing you would normally pass on doing but for some reason the timing of the asking is at a point that your brain locks up and your mouth agrees before your brain can engage again in time to relay the message to your mouth that you don't have to do it!  By that time you have already vocalized a yes or an okay when your brain is screaming, what the heck did you just say!?!!
I think I might have done that two or three times today.  I don't know why my energy levels were so low.  I don't know why my brain was so slow to engage.  Why was my mouth making all the decisions?  Once I realized it, I tried to keep it shut.  Unfortunately, by that time it was too late.  The damage had already been done.  Not damage to anyone except myself, of course.  Then came the agonizing realization that there were two or three things I now had to do that were the last things at any time that I wanted to do.  The other option would be for me to go and explain why I couldn't/wouldn't be able to do those things.  But I didn't have the energy.  That is what had gotten me in that situation in the first place.  So, I was left with no choice but to do as I agreed.  Grudgingly.  Not that anyone would have known that was the manner these things would get done. I didn't let on to that.  Almost the same way I didn't let on that I really didn't want to do them in the first place.  That was when I realized how low my energy levels were and now I had absolutely drained them.
That was when an old thought went through my head.  Something to the effect of...when first you practice to deceive...  What was it?  What came after that or before?  Ah, the heck with it.  I'm too tired to try to remember it now and quite frankly, I'm refusing.
Sure.  Now I refuse.
TT 

Sept: Week One

I am already (along with everyone else, I suppose) into the first week of September with today being the 7th.  I thought I would go over my running stats as of this morning to see what I have been up to since seven days makes a full week and all, even though today is just starting out for me right now.
The first of September was on a Thursday. It looks like I had previously taken the last few days off from running at the end of August so my first day of the month I was at the gym and ran 4.29 miles.  Friday afternoon came around an hour earlier for me since I took that hour off at the end of the day to start my three day weekend.  I headed to the gym and ran 4.54 miles.  Saturday morning I was trying to be more ambitious and since I was free to run outdoors I had a really hard run of 7.89 but I was paying double for it with over-worn running shoes which were causing problems with my feet.  It was a tough run I'm none too proud of and was kicking myself for knowing better about replacing those old shoes.  My feet are paying that price!  I went out that very afternoon and bought new running shoes. 
Sunday morning at 7:30am I headed out my front door again and had a much better run of 5.48 miles.  Then Monday rolled around with yet another day off but with me nursing a fuzzy head and a later start time.  After some minor indecision about going out to run at all, the milder change in the temperatures pushed me out the door and I was able to redeem by Saturday morning torture run with a gorgeous day pleasure run of 7.2 miles.  Talk about a great way to clear my head!  The new shoes were making a big difference, too.  That brings me to yesterday, Tuesday.  I was back at work and afterward headed out to the gym with intentions of getting a 4 miler in on the treadmill.  It turned into a 7.28 mile run.  Again the new shoes?  I can't really say what got me going yesterday but I went!  That brings me to today, Wednesday the 7th, and I guess I know there is a possibility I may not be able to run today since I have an appointment after work.
That brings my total miles to date at 36.71.  Simple averages for 6 days would put me at 6.11 miles per day but since I may/may not be able to add anything to that total an average would for 7 days would be 5.24 miles per day.  Still.  Not bad averages for me for one week!  If I put last months total miles to that average test I had 100.7 miles with 31 days in August...that put me at 3.24 miles per day.  A 5K a day?  Not too bad either, I don't think!
Breakdown in miles for Sept: 
1st    4.29
2nd   4.54   
3rd    7.89
4th    5.48
5th    7.2
6th    7.28
Total   35.71
Happy running!
TT

Weather change

I'm not sure what happened to the weather.  It looks like we might get a respite from the over 100 degree days we have come to accept as the regular temperatures we have had the past month...month and a half.  My weather widget is telling me it is a mere 58 degrees right now.  It is only supposed to reach 90 for a high.  That is a huge difference from the 100 to 105 degree days we have come to know and love.  It's almost winter weather!  It's an entire 10 to 15 degrees less than our current normal!
We had a cooler evening last week.  It wasn't nearly the cool temperature we are having now but everyone was sitting outdoors (not just me) and talking about how it felt so nice and cool.  It actually did feel cool even though it must have been all of 92 degrees.
So is everything just a comparative perception?  If we build ourselves up to be able to handle more than we ever thought, do we appreciate that we really need less to make a difference?  Is it just being made to take notice when we realize we are able to get through tough situations and appreciate going through it all when the toughness has past?  I am looking forward to having a week of 90 degree highs.  I would have accepted the 100 degree days if that what was going to happen but can appreciate the weather difference.  Or is it just being made to take notice of surviving the difficult, to appreciate even a mild change for the better?
Wait...I'm only talking about the weather, right?
TT   

Labor Day

Woo-wee! What a day! After all the activities from yesterday I awoke late. Very late for me. It was probably close to 7:45am. By the time I had coffee and wrote a bit it was even later, like after 10:00. At that point I had to decide about my run. I needed to shake the cobwebs from my brain or was that just the effects of a few too many Heinekens the night before? Either way, the weather was so perfectly gorgeous outside I ate a banana and decided to go out for at least 4 miles - no matter the cause of my fuzzy headedness.
It really was a beautiful morning. The temperature somehow, someway, decided to stay a nice 79 degrees even well after 10:00am. There was a wind blowing and I don't think I broke a sweat until mile three which is extremely unusal for me. I reached mile four and didn't feel like stopping yet. I went ahead and made it a full seven miles. Not too shabby considering the fuzzy head and all.
About the time I had showered and cleaned up, I got a call from Dante. He wanted to get together to talk cookie pricing and product costs. We knew we needed to get accurate costs to see if our pricing was in line so he came over and we went out together to purchase more packaging supplies and ingredients. We came back home with receipts in hand and spreadsheets before us. We converted everything into measurable amounts, figured formulas to calculate different factors and came up with costs for all six cookie varieties, with and without different packaging. It was well past 5:30 when we finished but it turned out to be a very productive day.
Then I needed to clean up the kitchen, write up a few checks to go out for Jay's shop and well, write a bit more. So now it's half past 8:00pm and I am shutting down to go read for a while. I can't say I didn't get a lot done and I feel pretty good about it all. Woo-wee!
They don't call it labor day for nuthin'!
TT

Manhattan Clam Chowder

When a pregnant woman has a craving you try your best to get her what she wants.  At least I thought I would try to help out.  Sonny (my oldest son) and Selma got married early this year and yes - she is five months pregnant.  (Congratulations!  We are all so happy)!  Selma and I had exchanged a few e-mails earlier in the week about her wanting seafood and her and Sonny finding a new seafood restaurant that was good but it didn't have the soup she had been wanting.  She said Sonny was going to try to make it this weekend and we should get together.
It turned out the conversation was never settled and there were a string of confusing conversations between everyone in the family that sounded like some silly 30 minute comedy show on television.  I mentioned it to Jay, he mentioned it to Dante, Dante talked to me, Dante talked to Sonny, Sonny called Jay, Dante called me and we finally got together yesterday here at our house.  Jay told me Selma wanted Manhattan Clam Chowder.  That seemed to be the soup she was craving.  Okay, I thought.  I've done that before.  So I actually found some great Cherry Stone Clams!  I got 2 cups of water to boil and added them in for a 4-5 minute steam bath.  I might have left them a tinge too long but they were fully opened when I fished them out of the pot.

I left the water in the pot to settle while I got my vegetables cut. I crisped some bacon pieces in a pan and set aside.

After adding about a tablespoon of the bacon drippings into the tall saucepan I added the crisp bacon and the onions, then garlic. After 1-2 minutes I added the celery and carrots and let them sweat for about 5 minutes. Then I added the potatoes and poured in all the water from the steamed clams into the tall saucepan. I left a small amount of liquid at the bottom where some grit had settled. I added oregano and bay leaves and let the potatoes cook. I went back and minced my clams (not too small) and added them into the pot once the potatoes were ready.

At this point the soup was pretty much done. I covered the saucepan and let the flavors meld while I cut up a bagette, brushed it with olive oil and grilled it for some crunch. They made the perfect dipping tool for the Manhattan Clam Chower.

Everyone seemed to like it.

Then the questions was asked of Selma, "Is this the soup you were craving?" She admitted it wasn't. There was a different seafood soup she was thinking about that had shrimp and fish and scallops and octopus... I don't have a recipe for that one! So, in any case, it got us all together and as far as the soup cravings, we all decided we would wait to take on another soup when it was much, much less than 100 degrees outside.

The meal and the great company went on from there.  And as far as a pregnant womans cravings I tried to help out!  It's not my fault the rumour mill didn't get me the accurate information!      

TT

New running shoes

I finally went out and did what I should have done many months ago.  I bought a new pair of running shoes.  Truthfully, I am soooo not sure why I put it off in the first place.  I certainly know better.  I knew I had an excess of over 600 miles on those old shoes when I usually replace them by the time they get between 300-500 miles.  And yet this time I let it go so long I've probably damaged a toenail and am mildly suffering through some foot soreness in the way of blisters and really, really bad callouses.  Really bad this time, yes.  Not my normal rough, tough skin on the bottoms of my feet kind of callouses but callouses on callouses. 
But no more.  That's done.  I can now retire my old Brooks Launch.  They served me well...

I can now look forward to slip-sliding away in my brand new updated Brooks Launch.  I didn't realize after trying on five different pairs of running shoes that I would prefer the Brooks yet again but they certainly felt the best on my feet.  They just wrapped around them like a hug.  Isn't that what everyone wants?  Okay, maybe hugging my feet aren't something anyone would want to do but Brooks doesn't seem to have a problem with it so I'm in good shape.  I will be in even better shape wearing these..

Just a little flashier on the colors but I have no control over that.  So, Brooks Launch it is!
Happy running!
TT

 

Not so puny

I have just now managed to crawl away from home.  Here it is already noon and I started out by slapping the pavement and going out for a 7 mile run.  I had hopes of possibly making it 9 but I became quite aware after I hit mile five that seven was the max I would be able to go today.  Ouch!  I wasn't kidding about needing new running shoes!  I had already bandaged two places on my feet and still I was feeling the effects of not having the proper running shoes.  I am getting blisters and as much as I hate to admit it I might just lose the toenail on my left big toe.  Yep.  It's slightly sensitive and it seems to be turning purple.  Not a good sign.  I've had this before but it's been a long time.  So no matter how I might want to put off buying new running shoes I really can't put it off any more. 
So then after the run I knew I needed to get myself something to eat since I have a tendency not to be hungry after a workout but will crash if I don't eat.  I have just finally managed to drag myself out of the house and get myself a small coffee and whole grain bagel at Panera Bread.  It seems to have helped because I admit I was feeling very puny.  I am taking advantage of their free wi-fi and hitting this keyboard as I munch away.  I've also put together the beginnings of a grocery list and should grab those few things before heading home again.  I know, I know.  The running shoes.  Maybe after the grocery store I will go ahead and make my way to the store and try on some new shoes.  Then I can pick up a running belt with a water flask.  I have been wanting to get one of those for a while now and I might as well make the time now. 
Oops.  That was the last of my bagel.  Guess I'm good to get going now!  Later.
TT
 

Hour early

What could be better than a Friday before a long weekend? How about leaving an hour early on a Friday before a long weekend. That is what I will be doing today. I will be able to get my three day weekend started an hour early and I am already looking forward to it. I know it isn't much but it can make a difference in a long, lonely day when most people have decided to take the entire day off. It can get rather lengthy but I will manage to cut that lengthiness a little shorter by doing this. I knew it would be a good idea.
I plan on hitting the gym right after I leave work. I am looking forward to that, too. Yes. I am actually looking forward to it. I had a slight calibration problem with my sensor yesterday. It didn't seem to be clocking my miles accurately. I knew something was way off when the treadmill stated I had ran 5.5 miles and the sensor only gave me credit for 4.3. I know they don't always agree but this was more than a mile difference - which in turn affected my recorded speed since it used the total time for less miles. Ah, the joys of nike+. I'll be using it again today and see if it doesn't straighten out. I don't seem to have this problem when I run outdoors. But maybe it's just time to replace the sensor. I could do that during my long weekend, couldn't I?
TT

Notice this

I have been going back and forth with Nike+ by email.  I am having a problem with the fact that they will send me a notification that a challenge I am in is ending soon.  That isn't the problem.  I have actually set up my preferences for it to do that.  It should be sending me a notification whenever a challenge is ending or I am getting close to the end of a goal I have set up.  That is the way the site is supposed to work.  I should be getting these notifications and I am getting notifications.
So you are asking, "what's the problem?"
Hopefully, you might be able to understand it better than the support person at Nike+.  I am getting notifications, yes, but they are NOT for challenges I am participating in.  Is that hard to understand?  Somehow, somewhere, something has been crossed and I have received notifications for two challenges I am NOT participating in and not the three challenges I AM participating in.  What happened to the notifications I should have received and why am I getting random notifications for others?  Sounds like there is a problem and that's why I contacted Nike+ support. 
I have been spending the past couple of mornings trying to get my nice, polite support person to stop trying to brush it off as if I didn't know what I was talking about and figure out why this is happening!  He finally sent me a note today saying...oh...I see two notifications you received for challenges you are not participating in!  Well, duh!  Isn't that what I told you in my very first e-mail?
So now I am needing to wait since he explained it would take some research and he didn't have an ETA on a resolution.  I'll give him a little time but he ain't getting off the hook that easy.  I know how to follow-up.  At least it hasn't affected my run stats.  How about 100.7 miles total in August? 
TT