The upside of sick…

So I was lamenting to my sister the other day how the only upside of being sick is that you usually lose a few pounds, but my weight hasn’t budged an ounce!  Sure, I haven’t been to the gym in days, but my body’s been working overtime to fight the infection (Did you know you burn 7% more calories per degree your temperature is raised?) and I haven’t been able to stomach much food for days (I’m drinking apple juice like it’s my job just to get some calories.). 

Then I decided to shed the 12 layers of germ-soaked clothing I’ve been wearing for 3 days and tada!  Two pounds down… “I’m one stomach flu away from my goal weight.” (Name that movie.)

[FYI, I would never wish to be sick to lose weight (trust me, I LOVE food), I’m just trying to find the positive to my third day stuck inside on the sofa.  I swear, I’m developing pressure ulcers…]

So to inspire you those of you who CAN go to the gym, I’m sharing those treadmill routines I mentioned a few weeks ago.

These are great for those just learning to run who want to ease into it or for avid runners who want to work on speed training.  I love them because it keeps me from getting bored—keeping track of the timing and having mini-goals within my workout distract me.  Plus, the variation in speeds keeps your heart rate moving up and down, which is good for you.

The first one is pretty simple—I learned it from my friend Lindsey in college.  It’s a 45 minute routine: you walk 3 minutes, run for 1, and repeat twice more (total of 3, 3:1 cycles).  THEN walk 3 min, run 2 and repeat twice (for a total of 3, 3:2 cycles).  Are you seeing the pattern? Then walk 3 and run 3 (for a total of 3, 3:3 cycles).  You can vary your speeds to your liking… I generally start high at the beginning since I’m only running for one minute.  By the end, you’re running longer but at slower speeds than when you started so it doesn’t seem as painful.  Anywho—here it is mapped out:

Clock	Minutes	Speed
0:00- 3:00	3	Walk
3:00- 4:00	1	Run
4:00- 7:00	3	Walk
7:00- 8:00	1	Run
8:00- 11:00	3	Walk
11:00- 12:00	1	Run
12:00- 15:00	3	Walk
15:00- 17:00	2	Run
17:00- 20:00	3	Walk
20:00- 22:00	2	Run
22:00- 25:00	3	Walk
25:00- 27:00	2	Run
27:00- 30:00	3	Walk
30:00- 33:00	3	Run
33:00- 36:00	3	Walk
36:00- 39:00	3	Run
39:00- 42:00	3	Walk
42:00- 45:00	3	Run

Routine #2

This one I got from Fitness Magazine sometime last year.  This one’s only 30 minutes, but trust me, it will kick your butt.  I think it’s the incline…

Clock	Min	Speed	Incline
0:00- 5:00	5	3.5 mph	0%
5:00- 10:00	5	4.5-5.0 mph	1%
10:00- 11:00	1	3.5 mph	0%
11:00- 15:00	4	5.0-6.0 mph	2%
15:00- 16:00	1	3.5 mph	0%
16:00- 19:00	3	5.5-6.5 mph	3%
19:00- 20:00	1	3.5 mph	0%
20:00- 22:00	2	6.0-7.0 mph	4%
22:00- 23:00	1	3.5 mph	0%
23:00-24:00	1	6.5-7.5 mph	4-5%
24:00-30:00	1	3.5 mph	0%

Lindsey, over at Those Mitchells, just put out a call for good running music, so head over there and share your ideas!

Now go hit the gym, ladies!  Just take it easy if you’re a beginner.  Read: if your feet are slamming the rubber like thunder and you’re holding the handrails for dear life, take it down a notch…

As for me, I’ll be on the couch watching the snow fall… (and reading trashy magazines and painting my toenails and watching 500 Days of Summer…)

Happy Saturday!

This could only mean one thing…

Can you feel the germs oozing out of this picture?

DayQuil: check

NyQuil: check

Lots of Advil and liquids: check

Earache, swollen throat, chills, and body aches: check, check, and check

That’s right, I have the flu.  And it’s miserable!  We work with a special-ed preschool class on Wednesday mornings and almost immediately after the group left yesterday I started to feel sick.  By the end of the day I was ready to crash.  My fever’s gotten up to 101.5, then it broke, then it went back up to 101, then it broke again… My body just can’t figure out what is going on.

And aren’t the chills just the worst?  When your skin is a thousand degrees, you feel like you’re breathing fire, but you’ve shivering and shaking under six blankets?  I always feel like I’m on my death bed when I have the chills.  Ick, ick, and ick.

Sick days always sound better than they really are…

Can we just talk about The Bachelor for a minute?

Fate would have it that my husband was out of town for the premiere of this season’s The Bachelor a few weeks ago.  I haven’t watched The Bachelor or Bachelorette in years, but I tuned in.  And if I tune in on the first episode, I’m hooked for the season.  From the moment they step out of that limo, the suspense is just too much...

So, I’ve either scheduled my gym visits for 8:00 on Monday nights (our DVR is booked elsewhere—House and Chuck—I know, we watch too much TV.) or tuned in via the internet the following day.  Don’t judge.

Anywho.  Can we talk about these crazy girls for a second?

Or wait.  Let’s look at Jakey Boy for just a minute.

Okay.

First, I really like Tenley and find myself rooting for her because I feel like she’s genuine, but I think if I knew her in real life I would hate her (and feel guilty about it).  She’s just so darn perky, which is part endearing, part you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me.  She is THE ANTITHESIS of who I am at 6 o’clock in the morning.  And I’m pretty sure she’s like that 24/7.  Still, I’m drawn to her…

Second fave is Ali.  I’d be happy and conflicted if it came down to these two.  I like that she’s real with people and not afraid to confront them, but isn’t a snot about it.  That said, as much as I also dislike Vienna, I’m tired of listening to her talk about it.  We get it.  You don’t like Vienna.  “If he likes her, I am not the one for him”  times-a-thousand-pleeeease-find-something-else-to-talk-about.

And Vienna—I didn’t like her from episode one when she was like, “I’ve crashed, like, sixteen cars {hahahaha} and, like, my dad just keeps paying for it {hahaha} and, like, I Iove tiny dogs and piercing my belly button and, like, tanning…and, like, being 23…”  And can you believe Jake spent their one-on-one telling her that she needs to understand when to just keep quiet and not say anything??  I died. I almost fell off the treadmill.  Go Jake.

 

No surprise that Ashley…I mean, Ashleigh and Jessie got denied.  Really, Ashleigh?  You weren’t reading his body language when you were all. over. him and he did. not. reciprocate. (Molly B—If you’re reading this, I’m pretty sure she’s your long lost sister. Based on appearance, nothing else!)  And I’m surprised she wasn’t let go after that comedy thing last week (which, by the way, if I ever had to do, I’d pee my pants.)

Not surprised Vienna stayed because I think Jake is conflicted in that he had good date time with her but is starting to see the “red flags.”  Did you catch the “I heard every word you said” to Jessie?  It’s an omen of things to come… Jakey Boy ain’t stupid.

And can I get a “Thank the Lord God Almighty” that crazy Michelle went home last week?  Hide your wire hangers, people.

So, who are y’all rooting for??  And does anyone out there actually like Vienna?  Anyone?

[Crickets]

Weekend Update

Get ready for a post on a whole lotta nothing! (I tried to incorporate pictures because even if a post is dreadfully long and aimless, don’t pictures make it easier?) 

Our church challenged us to fast this weekend, but suggested it didn’t need to be fasting from food, but from anything that plays a big role in your life.  So we thought internet would be a bigger sacrifice… Therefore, there’s lots to catch up on.

So, I sort of had intentions to participate in Kelly’s Show Us Your Life Fridays (pre-fast), but my post ended up being something like, “I shop at chains stores (X,Y,Z), unoriginal recommendations, and available to everyone” so I just skipped that post altogether.  The only unique thing I had to say was that I liken J.Crew to Pottery Barn—I use the catalog as my inspiration to find pieces elsewhere because that crap is just too expensive.  (I do occasionally find deals though—I’ve got some great white jeans from J. Crew just screaming for spring to come…)

Speaking of Spring, it is 63 degrees today.  63.  That is crazy!  But there’s snow in the forecast on Friday, so that just shows you how fickle our weather has been.

I had a crazy busy weekend and just for the record, I hate busy weekends.  I need a 70/30 balance of laziness and productivity and this weekend was more like 10/90.  Not nearly enough lounging on the couch…

Jess and I went to dinner on Friday and I introduced her to Lost Dog.  I love me some Lost Dog pizza and I even branched out and ordered something outside of The Polynesian. (Plus, we had fun on our date!)

Tyler and I went to see The Lovely Bones after that.  Mixed reviews on the book, mixed reviews on the movie.  Even if I don’t love a book, I have to see the movie.  I thought they did a good job replicating the book, though there were several extended scenes of butterflies and bouncing balls in heaven, ooooh-look-at-those-Peter-Jackson- effects scenes that I could’ve done without.  Or at least had significantly shortened.

Saturday was interview day at my school for the next incoming class of DPT students.  I hadn’t helped with it before, so I hadn’t witnessed that whole scenario since my actual interview day.  How fun to be on the other side of the table!  To know their fate was partially in my hands—mwuhahahaha. No, it was really fun.  I was nice to them…

Saturday night was Tyler’s boss’ 50th birthday so we went to a big dinner at Cafe La Ruche in Georgetown.  We’ve only been there a few times, but every time we go we say, “Why don’t we come here more often??”  Quiche, salad, and lots of bread and wine…  We headed out for drinks with co-workers after that where I indulged in Champagne and Chambord.  I think I’ve stated on here that’s my new favorite drink, no?  If I haven’t yet, let it be known…

Sunday, we headed to brunch at Petit Plats (are you counting my calories yet??) with Kimberly and Michael who we hadn’t seen since before I went to Colorado, so we were overdue for a get together.  Great food, great to catch up.  I only wish I’d ordered their french toast…

We ran errands after that where I picked this up from Home Goods for $20.

Are you not in love?  This bowl is BIG.  Whatever salad goes in there, there’s going to be a LOT of it.

We then headed to Michael’s to buy a picture frame for Tyler’s office, but guess what we got instead?

Lots o’ paint! 5/$1.  I’ve been getting crafty lately and am considering selling on Etsy or Ebay (probably Ebay…not sure I’m talented enough for Etsy yet!).  I spent $7 for 35 bottles of paint.  I now have every shade imaginable and have already started my next project, whom some lucky family member will be the recipient of.

Here’s a sneak preview… My first canvas.

So, maybe you didn’t need an hour by hour break down of my weekend, but there you have it!  Even if it was busy, it was fun!

Hope all of y’all had a great weekend too.  Thanks for checking in. :)

iTunes, YouTunes

(I don’t really know what that means, I was just thinking about screaming for ice cream…)

My sister asked me for 10 recommendations for songs to buy on iTunes with the plethora of gift cards she received over Christmas.  But why email her when I can turn my musical insights into a blog?

I’ll preface this by saying these are NOT my recommendations for top ten songs of all time—just songs I like, some old, some new. I could never, ever, ever be that decisive.  It should also be said that I have absolutely no experience to provide me any credibility or knowledge in popular music… (unless you count knowing every lyric to every song currently played on the radio. :) )

I also realize some of you may read this and be like, “Duh…” but Big Sis isn’t as on top of music (because she has an awesome baby who is way cooler and worthy of more attention than anything on the radio).  Her husband, I think, is pretty on top of music, but then again, we swapped hard drives of music over Christmas and… that man has a lot of weird music.  So maybe she does need my help!

ANYWAY. I digress…and digress…and digress.

10. “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus (I don’t care what any of my brothers have to say about this. It’s fun.)

9. “Everything Falls Apart” by Dog’s Eye View.  Okay, so this song is 14 years old (How is that possible???), but I still get excited when it occasionally comes on the radio.  “I met God this afternoon…”

8. Anything by Lady Antebellum… I love “Need You Now” on their new CD (out next week!).  Everything on their first is great.

7. Beyond the singles by Zac Brown Band (“Chicken Fried” “Toes”) I love “Free.”  I do NOT love “Sic ‘Em on a Chicken.”

6. “Fallin’ For You” by Colbie Caillat.  Been out for awhile, but this song makes me bounce in my seat…

5. Lady Gaga is weird on the eyes, but her music really is so good! (“Pokerface,” “Paparazzi,” “Just Dance”…)

4. “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath. Not a new song either, but I just bought it recently… Good, non-cheesy Christian music.

3. “Down” by Jay Sean (She might normally fight me on this, but I know for a fact she likes this song and just needs to be reminded of it…)

2. “Hey Soul Sister” by Train (I dare you not to sing along while this plays in Target)

1. “Firflies” by Owl City.  I loooooove this song.  My mom thinks I’m crazy, but I think this song is so fun.  For added effect, watch it on YouTube. (I’m 99% sure Randy will approve this video, Beck.)

Didn’t make the cut: “Alone” by Hart, Kris Allen’s new single, the Irish New Year’s Eve song in Sex and the City, “Let My Love Open the Door” by Pete Townshend and “I Got a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas—this last one only because that’s WAY too obvious of a selection.  No one should not have “I Got a Feeling” on their iPod…

So that’s more than 10… I’m just not decisive enough for this whole list thing.

Happy digital music shopping!

Update: For the record, I stated my love for the song “Everybody,” back in November…before it was featured on Grey’s Anatomy last night! Pretty much the most fun song ever…

We Survived!

Pretend for a second you’re a fly on the greyish-blue walls of our bedroom this weekend…

It’s 2:30am on Saturday morning.  I’m dead asleep and my husband starts shaking me.  “Kathryn, wake up.  Wake up.  You have to see this.”

He’s standing in his boxers staring out of the bedroom window.

“What?” [Or more like, “Uuuuuuh?”]

“There’s something on fire outside and there are a thousand cop cars around!”

Crawl out of bed.  Shuffle to the window. Look outside.  Indeed, lots of blue lights across the street.

“So what?” [Or more like, “Uuuuuh?”]

“Look.”

Look harder. Small, bright light blazing on the ground.  Not a fire, but something electrical, like a bright white ball of sparks.

Wow. Back to bed.

“Seriously, you should have seen it.  Did you not see it?  It was so bright it woke me up.”

“Uuuuuh.”

“I’m not kidding.  There wasn’t a sound, but there was an explosion so bright it woke me up. I thought a nuclear bomb had gone off.”

A nuclear bomb.

 

 

 

A nuclear bomb.

 

 

(I just wanted to give you time to process that.)

My husband is typically way too smart and practical for this.  A nuclear bomb?  Really? You woke me up because you thought a nuclear bomb had gone off?  In Arlington?

He maintained his post by the window. I’m back bed ignoring his shenanigans.  It’s not over though. I get a play by play of the goings on of the small electrical fire nuclear holocaust outside:

“A fire truck just showed up….” “Okay, the electrical company is here.” “The whole block lost power.” “I’m not kidding…you should have seen that explosion.”  “Are you awake?”

Who knows how long he stood there, but I was long since asleep…

He’s at least able to make fun of himself… All weekend we said, “Can you believe we survived that??” “Hope there’s not another nuclear holocaust tonight..” “We’re okay, but what if we have a kid with three arms because of all that radiation??”

To be fair and equally self-deprecating, I’ve been walking around for a week trying to figure out why the heck the roads and sidewalks are all wet when it hasn’t been raining??  Then Tyler made an off-hand comment about the snow melting in the street and a little light bulb went off in my head… “Ooooooooooh.”

Show Us Your Life… Weight Loss & Diet Tips

With my degree in Exercise Science and being 3 months shy of earning my DPT, I have learned this stuff up the wazoo and could probably write a novel on this topic… But I’ll refrain and try to keep it brief. Most of what I’ll say is just personal preferences anyway—nothing academic.

- 30 minutes a day: this may not change your waistline drastically, but these are the minimum standards for basic health and disease control (Okay, so this is academic...). Walk, run, move, dance, skip, jump (read: cardio) for 30 minutes a day OR 10 minutes, 3 times throughout the day, 5 days a week. My personal goal is workout 21 times a month—this averages out to 5x per week, but setting the goal per month allows me some flexibility if I have a certain week that’s extra busy. I get at least 30-45 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill (I have some great treadmill routines if you want them!), with strength 1-2 times a week. But cardio is always priority. Cardio is what burns the calories, strength training will boost metabolism. (Sorry if that's an elementary concept. Maybe it's common knowledge?)

- FitDay.com: This is a great tool to track your eating. It allows you to create “custom foods” by entering the nutrition info for what you eat (if you know it), instead of choosing from their options which may or may not match what you’re actually eating. A bit tedious in the beginning, but if you’re a routine eater of the same things, it’s great… You can also track your weight, your workouts, and it provides great visuals of what your eating broken down into fat, carbs, and protein. Even if you don’t use it aaaaall the time, it can be eye opening to how much you’re really eating…

- Subscribing to Fitness or Shape or Self is always a great monthly inspiration. They’re full of great recipes, new workouts to shake things up, play lists to workout to, and the fun beauty & clothing stuff too. I subscribe using my Coke rewards points. Great deal.

- Weight Watchers: Not living by it, but I’ve done it before and it’s a great system. I officially endorse it (I know that means a lot). In the end, it's all about moderation...

- I our house, we eat a healthy diet 5 days a week and take two days/nights off-- usually Friday and Saturday night. I don't eat 12 Krispy Kreams for breakfast, don't I don't worry if I’m not eating yogurt for breakfast. Allowing yourself an indulgence will keep you track better than if you feel deprived all the time and you break down after three weeks.

- Eat what you want: There isn't a day that goes by that I don't eat ice cream after dinner. I just eat a light ice cream (Edy's Loaded is my fave) according to the serving: 1/2 cup. I eat it straight out of the measuring cup or eat it out of small caraffe (and you better believe that puppy is crammed full).

- Lastly (this is to answer a specific question for my sister)-- Your body burns substrates in this order: carbs, fat, then protein. So it feeds on carb stores until it runs out and then switches to fat stores. Therefore, the fewer carbs you consume, the faster your body switches to burning fat. Don't go all Atkins on me, but this is why low carb diets are effective... Alternatively, carbs ARE our bodies' main source of energy so don't skip them. YOU NEED CARBS. (That's right, I said it.) Generally speaking, I pay attention to calories first-- that's what our body consumes energy in (that's what a calorie IS-- a measure of energy)—then fat content. Overall, I pay some to my balance of carbs, fat, and protein, but I consider calories and fat first…

That’s it! Most of that is just what I do personally, but don’t ever hesitate to ask if you have real questions about nutrition or exercise…

P.S. I KNOW this is late… I’m determined to join in on the Show Us Your Life in a timely manner. Just not this week!

P.P.S. Re-Beck, consider this your email... :) I DO have an idea for MRE's Oreo habit though.

Freezing Cleaning

Check me out people! I have been on a cleaning craze.  We  finally broke 40 degrees here in DC today, but it has been FRIGID for the last two or three weeks.  And we’ve been holed up in the house making a big fat mess… So down came the Christmas tree last weekend(don’t judge—I know it’s late) and out came the cleaning monster.

Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of cleaning the naked eye would notice-- it’s the kind of cleaning where everything gets worse before it gets better.  It’s cleaning out cabinets, boxes, drawers, and dressers… 

Gone baby gone.

This weekend, much to Tyler’s dismay, I would intermittently drop a box in the middle of the living room  and say “Clean this out.” I’m normally NEVER bossy around here (ha) but it needed to be done.

Yes, that is an airline napkin, a dryer sheet, and the smoke monster from Lost under my night stand.

I cleaned out my night stand/general storage area, the kitchen pantry/general storage area, the island cabinets/general storage area, the front coat closet/general storage.  And now when I open a cabinet door, I’m not at risk of suffering an aneurysm…

Yes, five bags of garbage and then some…

It’s like dark chocolate covered raspberries sprinkled with peanut butter.  Sitting in a pile of whipped cream.  With a side of pumpkin spiced latte.

Let out a collective sigh with me, won’t you?

“Ahhhhhh.”

There’s one lucky fella out there getting ready to find a fantastic “Tequila” sombrero at their local Goodwill.

I Hate Mondays...

I woke up feeling like my esophagus was the size of a softball... Super.

Softball Esophagus makes my voice sound AWESOME... Added bonus.

I didn't quite get all of the conditioner out of my hair... Excellent.

I dripped coffee all over my fresh-out-of-the-laundry white sweater before I even left the house... Even better.

I was ten minutes late to work... Awesome.

I have a huge presentation on Wednesday that's been looming over my head all day and I had to work an hour and a half later than planned... Sa-weet.

All that and Georgia is STILL without a defensive coordinator. (Whatever, we didn't want you anyway, Kirby Smart. Or you Rennie Curran.)

On the brighter side, there's a new Oprah today, I came home to a (relatively) clean house (more on that later), and there's a four day weekend coming up so I just have to make it to Friday.

I still hate Mondays.

(Okay, I lied about that whole Kirby Smart thing... And the Rennie Curran thing.)

I'm in the Neighborhood...

For some new blogs. Either blogs I've been reading have now been closed to the public (snobs) or they haven't been blogging consistenly (I'm not talking a few weeks (ahem, Becky)...these people haven't posted in months...).

So what blogs do y'all read? What good recommendations can you send my way to keep me entertained? Be it your real life friends or celebrity-esque bloggers... And if there are any lurkers out there-- send me your blogs! I love "meeting" new people.

I found this one recently, which I know I will be loving whenever we move and have more rooms to decorate! It's called Copy Cat Chic. She finds copy cat items from the likes of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware at other places with smaller price tags. This is so my style.

So. Let's hear it.

P.S. I have a new layout coming soon, but I had to do something on the fly to replace my Christmas header. I know it's a little....sloppy...

I SWEAR…

I do NOT watch Wheel of Fortune, but that was what was on the channel when I turned the TV on last night and while trying to find some other tantalizing game show to watch, I saw this...

Hahaha. Seriously?

(Maybe I’m the only one…)

Speaking of the New Year...

Are y'all saying "Twenty-Ten" or "Two-thousand Ten?"

I'm saying "Twenty-ten." It's just less wordy... I mean, we never said "November 12th, Nineteen hundred and ninety-eight." But I also didn't say "Twenty Oh-Nine...."

What say ye?

Hellooo 2010!

I have been waiting a LONG time for you to get here! It’s not that 2009 was a bad year (it was actually a great year), but THIS is the year I graduate and I have been counting down the days, months, and years since I embarked on this academic journey. I started my doctorate program the same month that I got married and it seems that school has trumped everything for the last two and half years and, well, I’m ready for that not to be the case.

(It has also been two and half years since I received a paycheck, so…. There’s a lot to look forward to!)

This year holds a lot for us. I’ll graduate this spring, I’ll take my boards (and God-willing PASS them) in the fall, we’re traveling to Italy in August (to celebrate graduation—see, everything is school-centric!), we’ll move to a bigger place, I’ll get my first job, and we’re looking into getting a dog (I vote Beagle, Tyler votes Bulldog)—WHEW. Lots of changes in store and a lot to look forward to. I just hope 2010 lives up to the hype. Honestly, there were many times I never thought this year would come…

But before I move on too quickly, I’ll pay 2009 its due. This year was a great year…

I spent 8 awesome weeks in Colorado this summer living with my expectant sister and BIL while completing my first clinical affiliation (and hiked The Incline—yikes!). I turned in and successfully defended my thesis in November. We were also blessed with a new nephew and our first niece this year—Grant was born to SIL in April and Halley was born to sister in October. My triplet brother Charles married Landon in June. We attended four weddings this summer, four football games this fall. I went to Vegas (Vegas baby!) for the first time in February for a conference and was able to tack on great visits with my friends and family in LA and Tucson.

Tyler and I road tripped back from Colorado, with stops in Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis, and several great days in Chicago (a first for me). We also took an awesome trip to Boston in October, a first for both Tyler and I. What else… Oh yeah. TYLER TURNED 30!! (He’s so old…). Tyler also traveled to 13 different states for business trips (he keeps yelling things over my shoulder…like this is HIS blog. “Get your own blog,” I say.) I began my second clinical affiliation working in the school system, which I l-o-v-e, but haven’t written about yet (for whatever reason) and we survived the 2009 Snowpocalypse (where I went sledding for the first time!). Lastly, the small group I’ve been in for the last 3 years, which has been ever-changing with girls coming and going every few months, has really solidified and stabilized this year and we’ve become seven great, supportive friends to one another. I love them.

There were some down notes, like the loss of Grandma Betty in June and health problems for Grandpa Grassmeyer, but all in all, we’ve had a great year. As I read over this list, I realize how much God has blessed us and how lucky Tyler and I have been. We’re happy, healthy, and have many, many friends and family who love us.

It’s hard to believe that I’m expecting 2010 to be even better—I now wonder if it will be able to live up?? Only time will tell…

Lastly, I love having this blog to document my life and I love all of you friends I’ve made along the way. I’d like to think I’d keep this up even if no one read, but it sure is fun having y’all around for encouragement and laughs when I need them. As always, thanks for reading and thanks for caring. Sincerely.