Thursday, December 29, 2011

Annalee Update

Annalee was sent back to Vandy Tuesday night. Tommy was off yesterday, so we were able to drive up and spend the day with her. With the setback, they are back to square one with trying to figure out what is going on with her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

I did get in a workout on Tuesday, and hope to get in another one today at some point. And I am keeping my fingers crossed about tomorrow mornings Zumba class.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas and MIA

It has been 10 days since my last post. Not only have I not posted, I am also way behind in reading. I started trying to catch up with my reading last night after our Christmas festivities. Maybe I will get somewhat caught up tonight. The last 10 days did not go as I had expected, but there was alot of good in them.
As you guys know, my niece, Annalee, has been sick since the week after Thanksgiving and had been diagnosed with HSP...and the diagnosis was later confirmed at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Last Wednesday, Annalee was Med-flighted back to Vandy. This was such a scary time for the family. When my Mom called, I literally felt like I couldn't breathe...I was so scared for that sweet little girl. Annalee's intestines had started telescoping (enclosing on themselves) and she was soo sick and in such pain. A few hours after arriving at Vandy, she was already so much better and they were able to treat her with medicines and avoid surgery. She was released from the hospital last night, Christmas Day. Many of you on my Facebook page have been able to keep up with her progress and your sweet comments, emails, and prayers meant the world to me. She is feeling much better, and is very glad to be back with little brothers and celebrating Christmas with her family.

The Saturday following my last post (on Friday) I participated in the Reindeer Run 5k with my friend Dick. The run was a lot of fun. I thought the course was a bit tough and probably was my biggest run to date (only second to the Susan G Race for the Cure that I walked with my family last year). The race has a great atmosphere and it will definitely be one that I was participate in again in the future. The first might was really tough for the both of us, because of the crowd, and trying to find our pace. We killed the second mile, and then struggled a bit in the final mile having to take some walking breaks. I can't remember my exact time, but it was about average with my other 5k times.

I hope all of you have had a great Christmas! Our greatest gift this year was having Annalee released from the Hospital. I have talked to her on the phone, and can't wait to see her! Tommy and I celebrated yesterday with our Mothers and my Neene and we had a really nice time together. I have eaten way too much in the last 7 days, but hopefully a bit of normalcy will return to life in the following days.  My big plan is to head back to the gym tomorrow! I haven't done any formal exercise since the 5k and my body is ready for a good workout. I look forward to catching up with all of you guys!!


Friday, December 16, 2011

Five Things Friday

1. I only have 8 more hours of work until my vacation time begins. And these 8 hours are spread out over two days...a half day today and Monday. I am so excited about this. Earlier in the week, I was running my vacation leave for the end of the year, and realized when I put in for the time off in August, I have actually used 16 hours of vaca time on Saturdays (which I don't work, unless we have an event). So I had 16 extra hours to use!!! I will be off from Monday at noon until Jan. 2!!! I am super super excited!

2.  Thank you for your continued prayers for Annalee. She had an appointment yesterday at Vanderbilt. The HSP diagnosis was confirmed, however they are doing some more extensive testing just to rule out and other illnesses. We should know something by Wednesday.

3. Tomorrow is my Rudolph Race in Huntsville with my friend Dick. I just can't wait. He arrive in Alabama late last night, and will be staying at our house tonight. I know we are going to have a great time!

4. I haven't worked out as much this week as I had planned. I have ran 5k on Monday and did a workout DVD Wednesday (had planned to run again, but time just didn't allow it). Tuesday my Mom called to ask if I would help her put up a Christmas Tree. She had not put one up since my Dad died, so I definitely wanted to help her out! And last night I was just exhausted. I should have ran Thursday morning, but it didn't happen when I overslept...and after a nonstop 11 hour day I was pooped! But I still have two days to make some of it up..and Saturday will include that 5k.

5. Did you notice that I didn't have any Zumba classes this week! Boo!!! I hope to hit a couple of morning classes next week at the studio near my house. I really love that instructor and wish I had more free mornings to take advantage of such an awesome studio! I think it is great that one of the things I am most excited for during my vacation time is an exercise class!

Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

21 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me!

I was so excited when  (Just) Trying is for Little Girls tagged me in her post 21 Random Bits post! I love learning new things about my bloggy friends! Here are my 21 things....

1.  Santa never left my gifts wrapped under the tree. I always wondered why he wrapped my friends gifts and not mine. Mine were just scattered unwrapped.  (My Mom wrapped gifts as a part-time job before she got pregnant with me lol).

2. As a child, I could never sleep the night before Christmas Eve. I was just so excited that I would stay up all night...usually on the couch in the living room watching Christmas Movies on TV. Christmas Eve was a busy day for my family..we visited both sets of Grandparents and all of my cousins...plus my Great Aunt's House. Christmas Day was very laid back for us, which was nice because I could play with all my new toys.

3. These days, if I am up after 9PM it is a wild night for me...or I had a late Zumba class :)

4. I have naturally curly hair and am always terrified when I go in to get my haircut. I think this is the direct result of a REALLY, REALLY, BAD haircut in fifth grade. My Aunt Cathy checked me out of school (my mom worked at the school) and took me to get my haircut. The boy cut was all the rage...and my aunt thought I would look so cute with this cut. SHE WAS WRONG!!! I looked like an 80 year-old woman with her Sunday Perm in a 10 year-old kid's body. And it took forever to grow back out!

5. When I first met my husband, I thought he was cute...but didn't think a relationship was in our future. Boy was I wrong. I am very glad that Tommy is persistent. I can't imagine living my life with anyone else.

6. I love a glass of red wine with dinner, but Tommy doesn't drink. I usually try to limit myself to when we have company over for dinner.

7. I love to spend the day rummaging through antique stores. I don't always buy something, but I just love it. Tommy enjoys it too, on occasion and I am hoping for an antiquing trip for my birthday this year.


8. Tommy hates to eat in restaurants. It is just not his thing. He would much rather me cook dinner at home than eat out. However, he has no problem eating subway every day for lunch LOL

9.  My Neene (maternal grandmother) is one of my best friends. I am so glad that we have such a special relationship. I hope to be just like her one day.

10.  The first few years after my Dad died, I just couldn't get into the Christmas spirit. My only Christmas spirit came from reading cheesy Christmas books. This year, I have been more spirited than I have been in years....and haven't finished the first Christmas book yet.

11. I named an Orangutan at the Little Rock Arkansas Zoo. I won a contest online! :) I have never been to see my sweet little Moshi, but one day I will make it to Little Rock!

12.  When I was a senior in highschool, I had to have tubes put in my ears. Everyone thought it was hilarious since that's what toddlers have done...everyone but me! Ouch!

13.  I love eggs! I especially like them for dinner. I can usually talk Tommy into eggs  for dinner once per week. I only eat eggs for breakfast on the weekends...and not every weekend.

14.  In the past six months, I have probably spent more money on clothes for my dog than for myself. I am just not that into clothes. I blame this partly on working with kids at the library. I never want to spend much on clothes than might get painted...plus I sit on the floor at work everyday...or no skirts LOL.

15.  I hated pizza until I got married. Now I don't hate it.

16. I always shave my armpits when I take a shower. Even if I take two showers in one day..I run the razor over the armpits twice...now my legs are a different story...during the winter it is more like once a week.

17. My husband raises snakes. Yep...he is a hobby Herpetologist. People have alot of misconceptions about this....including thinking that snakes are just crawling all over the house. Truth is, you could come to our house and never know we had snakes. (And we usually don't tell people because sometimes once they know they start thinking of reasons not to visit LOL). He has a great setup and he says one day we might actually make money! He loves to read any and every thing about reptiles.

 18. We actually got engaged while he was on a trip for a reptile convention. I was completely shocked and had no idea he was going to propose. I was super excited! And even walked over to the convention center that afternoon instead of staying out on the beach.

19. I hate taking a bath. I often read about the joy women receive soaking in a nice hot bath. I am not one of those women. I am a fast shower girl all the way. Occasionally, when I am really stressed out, Tommy will run me a bath...and I think it is a sweet gesture, but all I can think he how long must I sit in this tub.

20. I am horrible about not reading magazines I have a subscription to. When they come in the mail, I get very excited...but then I never sit down and read them...unless I am sick.

21. I am a Brittany Spears fan. Yep... I said it. It's my little secret...but I love to belt out some Brittany!

Now I am going to tag...

Shannon
Kelsey
Alissa
Joy
TopsLady

Friday, December 9, 2011

Five Things Friday








1. I have really enjoyed working out with my new heart rate monitor. It is exciting to see how many calories each of my workouts burn. Some activities are burning more calories that I thought...and some are burning a bit less that what I expected. I think this will be a great tool to use.
 2. My runs have been great this week. Monday I did a 5k and Wednesday I did a nice 2 mile run. I am planning another 5k for this week either today or tomorrow. I have also done a WATP DVD and of course Zumba class!

3. Tommy and I are doing some reorganization in the house. Our plan is to trade the rooms his office and the gameroom are in... his office is much bigger than our gameroom so I will be able to make a little workout area in it! :) I am super excited about this room trade and plan to start working on it during my vacation time during the holidays. I don't have any workout machines, but it will be nice to have a room with a television for my workout DVDs other than our main livingroom. And maybe one day I will be able to get a bike or treadmill!

4. This has felt like the longest week ever. I only have one more full week of work before beginning my vacation time! YAY I will be off a full week and a half! Next week should go by pretty fast...

5. I am getting really excited about my Rudolph Run next week with my friend Dick. It should be fun. I just hope this head cold is gone!!!

Have a great weekend!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Hope Endures Virtual 5k

Today my run had special meaning...I wasn't running just to add milage to my weekly total or to prep for my next 5k, I was running for Courtney...and in honor of her infant daughter, Ashlyn, who passed away on December 2, 2008.

 I discovered Courtney's blog not long after she mentioned this virtual 5k, and I knew I wanted to participate. On her blog, she said this would not be about "winning or prizes, its for anyone who has to endure life after something they think they cant.  Its about just enduring life each day when we are down. Its a celebration of change and a celebration of never-ending love."

I am so happy I was able to join so many bloggers in "celebrating never-ending love."

Finish time:41:24

Candy Cane 5k Recap

Saturday I participated in the Fourth Annual Candy Cane 5k to benefit CASA.  CASA of Alabama supports and promotes court appointed, trained and caring volunteers for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in a safe and permanent home. The local chapter of this organization uses this 5k as one of the 3 fundraisers for the organization.
First, I want to say I really enjoyed this event...there could have been improvements but overall it was fun!  This was the smallest 5k I have ever participated in with only about 30 participants. This was also my first "cold weather" official 5k. Actually, the weather was perfect....cool, but not cold...in the low 50s. Everything about this run was very laid back....which has some pros and cons. First, I was really surprised that we weren't given bibs...and yet the timing seemed pretty organized for a run not sponsored by a running organization. The goodie bag was full of some pretty good coupons to locally owned businesses, with some pens and memo pads, a water bottle, and chapstick thrown in for good measure. The shirt was a cute long sleeve cotton.  My biggest complaint of the day was that there were no water stations. I ran this same course a few months ago, and there were two stations, so I was surprised when there was no water. Also post race didn't include any fruit...instead there were snack cracker packs, gummy fruit snacks, hot chocolate, and water...I was very happy to see that water, but could have used a banana!!! Time was kept by stop watch....with no spits given during the race...I finished somewhere around 41 minutes ( it wasn't a PR for me, and I can't remember my exact time.) My goal for official 5ks is always sub 40, but I still felt pretty good with this time. Awards were only given to First, Second, and Third place for the overall race...and then Jr. racers (14 and under). There was also a prize for best holiday dress....AND I WON! I couldn't believe it...I got a $10 gift card to a restaurant. There was also a drawing for everyone that brought a toy for the toy drive.
My coworker Abby also ran the race.

I was excited to see this on the organization's FB page.

Tommy took this when I got home!

I enjoyed this 5k and hope to run it again next year. Instead of feeling like a race it felt more like a really fun Saturday morning outdoor run...with a bit of swag :)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...


 I have had such a great weekend! Super busy, but such a great time. Tomorrow I plan to recap my 5k from Saturday! Today you get pictures of Christmas around the Hill House :)




Ho Ho Ho from Humphrey!



My Christmas decorations are now up. I had everything up except the big tree earlier in the week...but today my Neene, Mom, and MIL came over to join me and Tommy decorate the big tree. We had fun and hopefully this will be a yearly tradition...
Neene, Humphrey, and Mom


I just love the cozy feeling of my house during the holidays...



My Snow Village....My Grandmother has a small collection when I was a child. After she passed away my Mom got 4 of her houses and when I got married she gave them to me. Tommy has added to my collection each year.

A close up look...

I love my dishwasher magnet :) It almost makes loading the dishwasher more fun...not really!

I collect vintage Children's Christmas books.

An early Christmas gift...antique corner cabinet. I have been looking for just the right one for years and found it a couple of weeks ago while Tommy and I were out browsing. It was a great price, but with the end of the year bills, I just couldn't justify the purchase. I couldn't keep my mind off of it and was talking to my MIL about it...when out of the blue she said...let me get that for you for Christmas, I never know what to get you (in the five years Tommy and I have been married, she has always bought me cleaning items...steamer mop, vacuum, dustbuster, etc. lol). At first I was hesitant, but she insisted...when we called about it it was still there and they said they would hold it until we made it back over (it was in a shop over an hour away) when we went back they were having Christmas Open House and we got an additional 25% off! We got a great deal...and I LOVE IT!

I just love this snow globe!

When I added the deer to the tablescape Tommy wasn't so sure. Yesterday when we were out we saw deer on so many tables. Tommy said I was a trendsetter. Haha!

I bought this little tree at a yardsale  for a dollar this fall. It was missing a few bulbs, but Tommy was able to replace them. I love it!

Another shot of table and new cabinet.

This is my kitchen tree. You can 't see it well, but it is decorated with cookie cutters.

This is our Memories Tree. It is decorated with ornaments from our childhoods, ornaments the kids at the library have made/given me, and our dated ornaments we have collected since we started dating. We also have dated engagement, just married, and first house ornaments. I love just looking at all the fun ornaments on this tree.

This table is made from trees that were cut from Tommy's farm.

Our guest bed with Tommy's Childhood Pooh Bear and a Memory Bear made from one of my Dad's shirts.

Of course Humphrey has his own tree...


This Big Tree...

 I hope you guys will post some pictures of your Christmas decorations!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Five Things Friday

Yesterday was a bit wild...and before I knew it I was too tired to write up my 3 Things Thursday...so today you get a 5 Things Friday.

1. Please keep my niece Annalee (7) in your thoughts and prayers. Yesterday we found out that she has auto-immune disease (HSP). I have done a bit of research online along with the info her Mom gave me from the doctor, and it seems that if she can stay well the next six months, her long term prognosis is good. That is a great relief, but knowing that sweet girl is in pain just breaks my heart.
Here is Annalee last year after we finished Power of Pink 1 mile Fun Run!
2. I am really excited to be participating in Run With Jess's 12 Days of Fit Christmas Challenge! So excited that I got up this morning to get in a workout before work since I will be working late tonight. WOO!

3. On Black Friday, I got a great deal on a Mio Heart Rate monitor. I have been wanting one for awhile, but just didn't have the money...well Friday I found it on sale, had a coupon for additional off, and had an old gift card from last Christmas. I ended up spending only about $15 dollars. I am still trying to figure it all out. I used it this morning, but still need some additional practice...I found a video on youtube that I plan to watch this weekend for some extra instruction.

4. I really love winter, but I hate how dark it is so early! I am contemplating dropping my Tuesday night Zumba class for an extra day of running. I get off work at 5 and the class doesn't start until 7:00...ends at 8, and it is close to 9 before I am home at night. During the summer, 9 felt late...but not too bad. Now it feels like it might as well be midnight when I get home. If I were to run, I could be home by 7 at the latest. I am not sure....I will probably decide before the new year.

5. I have a holiday fun filled weekend, and I just can't wait! Tonight I am working late because the library is staying open for our holiday evening. We will be showing Polar Express for the kids, there will be a reading of the Christmas Carol, and then the town will have their Tree Lighting across the street in the park. Tomorrow I am planning to run a Candy Cane 5k (wish my luck on this cold weather run) and then going with a friend to a performance of the Live Christmas Tree. On Sunday, my Mom, Neene, and MIL are coming over to help us decorate the big tree. Too Much Fun! :) Hope you guys have a great weekend!