Addiction

I just got back from my Yoga class a little bit ago. Yoga always makes me feel so good. We learned a really neat stretch/pose for runners today: extended pigeon pose. It was really hard to do, but afterwards, it felt really good. Now I feel really pumped, and I'm itching to go running. My trainer was right. Once you get past that first few weeks of discomfort, running can definitely become an addiction. When I started out, I had HORRIBLE shin splints. So bad in fact, that I had to ice my legs down every night. It took me nearly a month to get over those enough to run more than once a week. I've slowly built up the number of runs I take a week now, and I'm running 1-2 miles at a time. I'm currently up to 3 runs a week, if I can possibly fit them in my schedule. The more I run, the more I WANT to run. I'm fast becoming a firm believer in the "runners high". I've become so addicted that yesterday, when my trainer wanted to run outside in 48 degree weather, that I just ran right out the door with her, shorts and all. That's another feature of running that I'm really enjoying...running outside. It took me a while to adjust to the outside from the track, but it has been totally worth it!

Casey has been nice enough to let me borrow his Zen Stone MP3 player and load up a running playlist. So the past couple of runs, I've enjoyed music with my runs. Here's what's on my running play list so far:

It's a really eclectic list of music from the 80's and today. If anyone has any suggestions for additions to my playlist, leave a comment!! Now, I've just got to call Casey and see if he has any late afternoon plans for us. If not, I'm going to sneak an extra run in today. Everyone have a great weekend!

Earth Hour

Today is the 2nd anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a campaign that is used to promote awareness of the effects of global warming. The WWF is asking everyone to turn out their lights from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. in their timezone to conserve energy. Countries and nations around the globe are participating. Australia's lights were some of the first out as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Syndney went dark. Thailand, Fiji, the Phillipines, and New Zealand were just some of the participants. In north America, the lights will be turned off on the Golden Gate bridge later tonight. Even Google has darkened their main screens today in observence.

Even though I'm not sure if any of Tennessee's major cities are participating, I'll be turning my lights off tonight. It sure couldn't hurt.

Swimming for A Cause

As most of you know, I swim several times a week. Yesterday I was VERY excited, when I got an e-mail from Speedo announcing the World Swim Against Malaria campaign. The World Swim Against Malaria campaign donations raised buy mosquito nets to help prevent malaria. As little as $5.00 buys one net. I figured since I usually swim at least 3 miles a week, that I might as well use that time for good. So if any of you guys are interested, sign up to be a participant or sponsor my swim. Saturday, April 5, 2008 is world swim day. The goal is to have 1 million swimmers swim on or around that day. The good thing is I can swim anytime and add to my mileage! Here's a little specific info from the campaign:

World Swim Against Malaria

I will be taking part in World Swim Against Malaria alongside a million other swimmers from all over the world. We are raising money to buy mosquito nets to help protect people from malaria, which currently kills over 1.5 million each year. 70% of the deaths are children under 5. $5 buys a mosquito net that can save a life. 100% of the money we all raise buys nets. If you would like to learn more about this global grassroots initiative, please visit www.WorldSwimAgainstMalaria.com. We’d love you to join us.

Havin' A Ball!

I've just got to share this GREAT video with you guys. I wonder if I could get this guy to make one of these for me. Talk about CUTE!!! Enjoy!!

Happy Easter!!

Well, time sure flies. It's Easter weekend already. I hope that you all have a VERY Happy Easter with your families, furbabies, and friends. Mom is taking the whole family out for Easter dinner tomorrow at Henry Horton State Park. They are having a FAB-U-LOUS buffet. It's a good thing that I'm working out today!!

Also, please remember that even though we enjoy LOTS of those Easter treats, it can be toxic to our pets. Easter Lilies, chocolate, and that plastic Easter grass is toxic to pets.

Happy Spring!!!

It's finally spring!! It's finally officially spring!! As is the case with our schizophrenic weather around here, the forecast doesn't know it quite yet. We had the coldest morning all week this morning!! I'm officially tired of this now. I demand warm weather!!

Casey's doctor's appointment went well yesterday. Luckily, he has no rotor cuff damage. That means that he can put of the surgery for a while. We are going to try various and asundry other things first, before we got the surgery route. He's got to have physical therapy two times a week for the next four weeks first. Then, we'll see where we are and how he is doing. I think Casey feels relieved that he's at least got a reprieve from surgery for now. I just hope that the therapy works.

Not a lot going on around here again today. My allergies are wreaking havoc with me at the moment. The Bradford Pear trees and the forsynthia bushes are about to drive me over the edge. I'm just one big sneeze, snort, and itchy spot. Oh mighty Zrytec save me!! Well, I'm off to take some Advil. Have a great day everyone!!

Windy Wednesday

WOW!! The wind is really howling out there today. Typical spring weather around here. Not suprising, since tomorrow is the first day of spring. It's been raining nearly all morning.

Not a lot going on around here this week. Casey has been having some shoulder problems, since before Christmas. The first orthapedic doc we went to diagnosed it as just bursitis and started giving cortisone injections. They didn't help. In fact, Casey's shoulder has been steadily getting worse. We were driving all the way into Nashville to an orthapedic group. We realized that they have an office in Mufreesboro too. So, we transferred Casey's records down to a doctor there. He went for his first Murfreesboro appointment last week. New x-rays showed a shoulder spur. So yesterday, he went for an MRI to see if it was damaging his rotor cuff. This afternoon we get the results back from the MRI. Anyway all of this to say, Casey is probably going to have to have shoulder surgery. He's decided to wait until after the cruise. It's getting so close now, and he wants to feel as good as he can. So, this afternoon will tell the tale. Everyone keep their fingers crossed.

In other things, I made a new spring template today. Let me know what you guys think. I like the colors, but I'm afraid it might be too busy. I may let it sit overnight and decide tomorrow. Well, gotta run. Everyone have a good afternoon.

Weird Week

It's been a really weird week. I started off good, but ended up battling with a migraine Wednesday night and all day Thursday. I HATE migraines. I don't have them much, thankfully, but when I do, I make up for it. So, I mostly just lounged around the house with my pillow on Thursday. Luckily, the puppies were more than understanding and kept the crazy to a minimum. They ended up mostly sleeping, when I did. I've got to give them extra treats for that. Yesterday, I just felt thick and foggy headed; I usually do after a migraine. I'm also usually in a very bad mood the day after I get over one. I refer to yesterday as a crisis of enthusiasm. I didn't like anything or anyone. I did manage to make myself go workout, which really helped a lot.

There's not much going on here today. I've just watched the rainy weather all day. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and much nicer, along with Monday. I don't really have anything special planned, but you never know what Casey and I might get into. Since Monday is going to be so beautiful, I'm planning on cleaning tomorrow or tomorrow night, so I can have the day Monday. I may take the puppies for a walk.

Everyone have a great weekend!! I'll leave you with a picture of me, trying to recover from the migraine with Shingo assisting.

OUCH!! That light was painful!!

Snowy Scenes

WARNING!! PICTURE HEAVY!!!

Late Friday night (nearly Saturday morning) it finally started snowing at my house.

This is what I woke up to on Saturday morning.

Well everything, including the street, was covered earlier in the morning.....

After breakfast, we ALL went out to play in the snow.

We had to enjoy it, while it lasted. By 1:00 p.m. it had nearly all melted. I guess now we'll have to wait for next year.....

2 Dogs, 2000 Miles

On March 16, 2008, Luke Robinson will begin a walk that will lead him over 2,000 miles across the country from Austin, Texas to Boston, Massachusetts in memory of his beloved Malcom. His two other dogs, Murphy and and Hudson will complete the walk with him. This walk is to raise funds to benefit the very first canine cancer study by the Animal Cancer Foundation. From the press release:

The implications of this research are even more far reaching. Scientists have discovered that the vast majority of cancers found in pets are the same types affecting humans making dogs an ideal model for study and giving rise to an area of cancer research known as comparative oncology.

Visit the website to follow the journey and to support Luke's walk at:

http://www.2dogs2000miles.org

Waitin' On The Snow

Even though I said that I probably wouldn't check in, seems like I'm not going to have much else to do this weekend. We are waiting on our biggest snowstorm of the last several years to move into our area. In my neck of the woods, we are supposed to get anywhere from 2-4 inches. That's a LOT for my area. We just don't see big accumulating snows in this area. The groceries are INSANE!! It is the end of the world, when it snows here. Us southern folks just don't quite know how to handle snow here. We also have LOTS of steep hills and not a lot of equipment to clear the roads. This is going to shape up to be an interesting weekend. Luckily, I don't have anywhere to be. It looks like I'll be reading a good book and watching movies this weekend. If we do get a good snow, I want to be sure to sweater up the puppies and get some good pictures of their first snowfall. It will be fun to get all of the dogs out in it to play. I'm not too sure that I'll let Shiloh go out in it. She's just now getting over her respiratory infection, so I don't want to jepordize making her sick again. She's home by the way and doing quite well. Dr. K is really pleased with her progress. Well, I'm going to run. It's nearly dinner time.

Much Needed Break

I'm off work for the next several days. I may be away, but I'll be back soon. Until then, enjoy some picture goodness.

Everyone have a good weekend!!

Sunny Sunday Fun!

This past weekend was just beautiful!! It was a true spring day. Jennie, a VERY good friend, from Kindred Spirits Dog Training and Boarding gave us permission to bring the dogs out to play in her large play yard. This was a wonderful thing, since Molly and Shingo are still working on their leash training. So early Sunday morning, we loaded Shingo, Molly, and Fergie up and drove out to the play yard. We just turned them loose to romp and play. We played ball with the Chuck-It and frisby. They had an absolute ball. We stayed out there about 2 hours. We knew they were finished, when they all laid down. We took them home, and they slept all afternoon and all night! Sorry for posting these, but my Flickr download limit has been reached for the month ;)

We came home and had a snack lunch. Casey and I made a run to Wal-Mart to get grilling supplies for Sunday night. Casey had a wonderful dinner of BBQ chicken, Terriyaki Chicken and Pineapple kebobs, grill cooked corn, and baked beans. It was such a good warm weather meal. This was just one of those most perfect weekends!! Today it's overcast, cold, and drizzly. Hopefully, we'll have more days like this past weekend soon.

Snapshots: The Sequel

Well, it looks like the weather may cooperate this weekend. FINALLY!!! It's supposed to be sunny and near 70 degrees tomorrow. Now before all of you get in a twist that are still in the winter dregs, we'll pay for it come Monday and Tuesday. Yes, we are supposed to have more storms and then snow on Tuesday. Casey and I plan on enjoying every minute of tomorrow. The first thing on the agenda is to take all of the dogs out to walk and play ball and frisbee in the yard. Casey and I also want to go to the movies tomorrow night too. Other than that and soaking up the sun, we are keeping our options open. And now....more pictures.....