We Salute You

Please take a moment to be thankful for those who have faught, and pray for those who continue to fight, and for those who have lost their lives while protecting this great country of ours. I know I am thankful for one specific veteran, and I, support him 100%.

Veteran’s Day Tribute
When America had an urgent need,

These brave ones raised a hand;

No hesitation held them back;

They were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family;

They gave up normal life;

To serve their country and their God,

They plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace

On strange and foreign shores;

Some lost new friends;

some lost their lives

In long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call

To support the ones who fought;

Their country had requirements for

The essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them,

The noble and the brave,

The ones still with us here today,

And those who rest in a grave.
So here’s to our country’s heroes;

They’re a cut above the rest;

Let’s give the honor that is due

To our country’s very best.
By Joanna Fuchs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZf619DIpo

Happy 30th Anniversary

Happy 30th Anniversary to the best parents in the world!

I hope you both have a wonderful day! Good luck on your Half Marathon in San Antonio this coming weekend! We all hope you enjoy your anniversary gift in Texas!

Preparing to Trot

All week I had been planning on doing a run outdoors this weekend. I knew that it wasn't going to be as warm as the two runs I had earlier this week (in the 50's), but I wanted to run outdoors, to get ready for the turkey trot in a few weeks.

Note: I am thankful for the small dusting of snow we received this week. In comparison to the western portion of the state, this is nothing. Ironically, we, those who are in the eastern portion of the state are still under a flood watch. weird.

Last year the temp was 15 degrees, and I completed the 5k in 37:10 (average 11:59/mile). Today, when I went out, it was 25 degrees; with the windchill it was 15 degrees. Pretty similar, however I was able to run 2.95 miles in 34:39 (average 11:44/mile). I figure that if I keep running outdoors in these cooler temps, I will be ready for whatever kind of weather we will have on Turkey Day. last year was terribly cold, windy, and icy, however a few years ago we had family playing cards out on the patio after Thanksgiving dinner. Who knows what it will be like.

Yesterday I spent most of the day painting my living room and hallway in the basement. It's amazing how long things take when you do them on your own. I plan on unpacking some more boxes today, and maybe start putting some pictures up on the way. Check back later for those.

Happy Sunday!

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Today's Workout: 2.95 mile run, 34:39, 11:44/mile average
Temperature - 25 degrees, felt like 15 with 15mph wind out of the NNW
- dusting of snow on ground with few ice patches here and there
- took two 1-minute walk breaks to get rid of the side stitch, adjusting to the cold air
Today's Song: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone

It's just beginning

For those of you who read my post from yesterday.... remember how I said kids are like walking barometers? Well, today they were even worse then yesterday. It's was freakin' out of control today!

It has been raining and windy here in Fargo ND all day. The wind is getting worse. Before leaving work today I was emailed pictures of southwestern part of ND and they have received inches and inches of snow.

Just 2.5 hours west of here, in Bismarck (aka The Bizz), they have already been hit with snow as well... don't believe me? Just check it out here, at Ms. Math's Snapshots.

Hopefully tomorrow I won't be posting pictures of all the snow. I don't think it is supposed to get much below freezing. But, let's not hold our breath. I think the 2008-2009 winter season is just beginning.

The Sound of Silence

You know your a teacher when...

.....you know a major storm is coming without watching a weather report... -or-

...you can tell it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
These two go hand in hand. Some people may think this is crazy, but when you have more than 5 students together at one time and things are quite different among them all, you know the weather is changing. Barometer dropping, storm coming, full moon, you name it.

.....you believe that unspeakable evil will befall you if anyone says,“Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.”

Need I say more?

Today was a good day at work. They were so good and quiet. Makes me wonder. We are looking at a "winter storm" possibly coming through within the next 24 hours... switching from upper 50's and rain yesterday and today, to freezing temps and 40mph winds.

A part of me really thinks that their behavior is a precursor of the weather to come.

I will keep you posted.

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Today's Workout: 1 mile walk with puppy
Today's Song: Simon and Garfunkel - Sound of Silence

4 on the 4th

We were given permission to leave work as soon as the kiddos were off and on the bus. That means, I was able to leave work today shortly before 3pm! Even though I had enough to keep me busy well into the evening, I had a burning itch to get in a decent run prior to the sun going down.

When I left work the weather was in the mid-50's and overcasting. It actually looked like it was going to rain within the half hour. Despite the forcast of rain, I hurried home, let the pup out, changed, put her back in her kennel (if she was potty trained I would have just let her roam), and headed out.

The plan, or hope, was to do 4 miles (4 on the 4th). I didn't wear my garmin and I didn't take time to map a route prior to heading out, so I just played the time game, stretching my 3 mile loop, and hoping that I went far enough. When I got back to the corner of my block, I was ready to be done but looked at my watch and new from experience and my pace, that I definitely didn't do 4 miles. It took everything in my to turn that corner, go down a few more blocks and make another small loop.

When I got home I let the pup out, and took her for a quick 1 mile walk, finishing just before the rain started to fall.

The results of the run? 4 miles exactly. I was able to do another successful run with NO walk breaks and finished in just under 12 minute miles!

I wore my favorite fall running outfit ... my bright pink/fuchsia, long-sleeved, wick-away Fargo Half Marathon shirt and Champion running capris from Target. It's just so comfortable! Unfortunately the temperatures are going to start dropping again in the next few days with snow and 40mph winds in the forcast. Time to bundle up...or get back into the gym...

What's your favorite fall running outfit?

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Today's Workout: 4 mile run, 47:00, 11:45/mile average
Today's Song: John Mayer - "Free Fallin'"
(love this song!)

Get ur vote (freak) on!

The plan was to vote early in hopes of avoiding the long lines tomorrow. However, today the lines were long, and it took about 20 minutes to get through at 3:45 this afternoon. I sat there filling out my ballot, making sure all bubbles were filled in completely... like a school kid taking the ND State Assessment. I wanted to make sure every vote counted! Supposedly they were averaging 500 voters per hour today. Crazy!

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I took a picture of the pup last night and sent it to a friend. She made up a quick flier and posted on the fridges at school. It sounds like a few people are interested and should be able to have a new home for Molly tomorrow. I am growing more and more attatched, but I just can't deal with the fact that she is not potty trained 100%. (If you are unfamiliar with my story related to the puppy I am dog-sitting read the post below.) Here's a pic of the pup....

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As much as I enjoyed the extra hour of sleep this weekend, and the visible sunrise on my way to work this morning, I did not like the fact that daylight was disappearing all too fast this afternoon. I rushed home from voting and took the pup on a near 2 mile walk. The temperature was well in the 60's. There is a nice man-made lake in my area and it was beautiful with the sun setting in the west.A picture like this makes me thankful for these beautiful fall days! Too bad we couldn't have a month of this weather. Winter will be here before I know it... or am ready for it.

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Today's workout: 2 mile walk
Today's song: Missy Elliot - Get Ur Freak On

Where has the week gone?

******Warning: Long Post******

The past week has been quite busy. In addition to the transition of moving, I have taken on another challenge, dog-sitting. It is supposed to be a few months, but with the difficulty of sitting a 1 year old pup that isn't potty trained very well, the owner (who is working out of town for a few months) has left me the option to take her to the humane society. I don't think I can do that, so I am in the process of trying to find her a good home with kids that will keep her busy as I am barely home except for a few hours in the evening.

However, here's what my week look like for workouts.... it's definitely not up to par, but I kept myself busy:
Monday - Rest
I cleaned out my apartment. That was enough work itself.
Tuesday - 2.92 mile run outside
I met with my apartment rental company and did the final walk through. I handed in my keys and was happy to be done with renting!
Wednesday - 2 mile walk with the dog
I also got a flu shot. I usually don't get a flu shot but I have already been sick, bad, once this year, I might as well give it a shot.
Thursday - 2 mile walk with the dog
Friday - 2 mile walk with the dog
Saturday - shopped and painted - that's gotta count for something!
Today - 3.05 mile run in approximately 36 minutes. It was a lovely day, about 60 degrees and no wind. The run was very slow but no walk breaks were necessary, again! Afterwards, I took the dog for a 1 mile walk before heading out to run some errands.

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Family Time:
This weekend my parents, as well as my sister and brother-in-law were in town again. Friday night we headed up to Grand Forks for the Sioux's first home hockey game - against the Wisconsin Badgers. The game was awesome and the Sioux finished off with a win, 3-2.

Saturday morning we were back in Fargo as I was expecting furniture to arrive that morning. After my couch and love seat arrived, we ran a few errands and did some shopping for a shower curtain and other bathroom stuff to go in the master bath. I picked up more paint, some for the bathroom, and then some for the basement. The master bathroom is finished and I will wait to paint to basement living room and hallway next weekend.

It was so nice to have family helping me with all this work. It sure makes it go by faster and it has been pretty fun to share this transition with them. Once I get the rest of the painting finished, I will post more pics.

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Awards:
Over a week ago I was given two blogger awards from Ms. Math.

The first:

Now the rules! Link back to the person who gave it to you and then award 10 other blogs!

Steph and Blaine
Wes
Chad
Jess
D10
Kelsalynn
Steve
Beachrunner411
Javamom
Sherry

The second:

Now the rules! List six things you value, six things you don't value, and then award six more people! Here goes!

Things I Value:

1. My family
2. My health and happiness (they go hand in hand)
3. My job/career
4. my own home
5. Friends (including all my wonderful readers!)
6. Sleeping - I have to agree with Steph on this one. Definitely love my sleep!

Things I Don't Value:

1. both MN and ND campaign ads. It's bad enough having to listen to all those ads, but when you live in Fargo, you get both MN and ND. Double wammie.
2. whiners
3. difficult parents - work related.
4. Negative attitudes. I am agree with Ms. Math here. It's one thing to be negative about things once and a while, but I don't see how some people can go around looking at everything as if the "glass is half empty".
5. cooking dinner for 1.
6. The war - I agree with Steph. again.

People I award:

1. Lisa
2. Runner Susan
3. Frayed Laces
4. See Bride Run
5. M*J*C
6. Viv
   

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October in Review:
I can't believe October has come and gone. I did my best to bring about more Breast Cancer Awareness and hope all has found some of the information beneficial. Now it is time to look back at the digits and look ahead to November.

Let's compare those numbers:

• SWIM - 12,450M..................8100M in September
• BIKE - 73.05 miles..............48.62 miles in September
• RUN - 22.94 miles................25.99 miles in September

I don't have much to comment on this. It's been a busy month, plain and simple. With that in mind, I think the month was pretty decent. Deep down inside, I wish I could have broke 30 miles of running, but once again that didn't happen. Maybe in November.

I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend! I look forward to spending the rest of the evening catching up on all your blogs and watching some football! Yay!