Can you say tacky?

This Today was another long day since my fur beasts woke me up again last night. 3:30am and wide awake. This is getting old and really making me a level above angry. I changed my mind on the window unit with door. I don't want maimed varmints brought in the house and Sir Purrs A Lot  (SPAT for short) loves me so much he would probably deliver a mouse to me in bed!! My coworker Sarah came up with this brilliant idea today. I've tried double sided tape on the bedroom door and it works so why didn't I think of this before?? Next step, if this doesn't work, will involve some wiring and 110 volts.

This is duct tape attached to the ledge and for extra sleep measures I added it to the window where I see paw prints. Yes, this is tacky (no pun intended) but I don't and won't care IF it works. 

I may wake up to a long haired black cat stuck to my window, but at least no pawing, banging, and scratching on the window hopefully. 

After work I drove uptown to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy new running shoes since the last ones didn't work out. I knew exactly what I needed and wanted, yet the sales associate was annoying me and testing my patience. Just go and grab the shoes I asked for now!!! Instead they asked lots of questions and I answered very specific. I told them this is my third pair of Brooks Glycerins and I'm happy with them...no they try to waste my time with other shoes and so on. Is it bad that I knew more about Brooks shoes than the associate? Not just my favorite pair but all of them! Finally I had to get a bit snarky and tell them if they don't have a 9.5 in the black Glycerins then please stop wasting my time. Ugh!! 

This alone is one of many reasons  why I always shop at local running stores. Pacers and Racers and Fleet Feet are my favorite stores. Why was I even there you ask? I had a score card reward, and several coupons that added up to $35 off my shoes. I didn't want to haggle my favorite store to save more, but now I think I'd rather went to my store and asked them to toss in a pair of socks to sweeten my deal and I would have been on cloud nine. Oh well! Lesson learned and in about six months when I need to replace my shoes I will know better. I also know better to replace those shoes when they're worn instead of trying to make them last. As many injuries and aches I have that's a bad idea.

 Now I've gotta make my right lower leg happy again. My friend Sara is going to probably do a "Helga" massage on my legs this Friday. A Helga massage is like a sports, deep tissue, trigger point, try not to cry or curse (which is nearly impossible) all in one massage. I prefer her "fluff 'n buff" massage where you can relax and breathe normal. I've got a few nasty knots for her to work out so I'm sure a few areas will not be pleasant. If you're looking for a great massage check out the Natural Touch Spa (Corydon, IN). 

How often do you get a massage and what kind? Do you go more often when you're training for something special? 

Time to gather up my stuff for Spin class tomorrow and pack my lunch. Have a great night and I wish everyone a restful night! 

Flatulent feet and missing toes

For a Monday today wasn't bad at all and I was somewhat surprised when I left work. Since I was a zombie and missed my long run Saturday morning I decided to get back to my running schedule. Ok, I don't really have a schedule other than run at least 3 times a week and one of those a long run and try to add a soft turf or trail run in if I can. Today I wanted to try out my new shoes and enjoy a few miles. 

I wore my new Balega ultra thin socks Nathan bought me at the Derby Mini Expo (yes I know that was back in April)  and I was excited to try out my new Brooks Transcend 2 shoes. 

I went to 4 local stores trying to find these shoes in this color that I wanted. I do go for comfort and fit first but the show must look good to me or I will not buy it. Simple. Sam at Pacers and Racers told me they didn't even carry this shoe because it wasn't as great as others were saying and it really didn't work for so many people that they just quit ordering. After no luck at other stores  I finally just ordered them online. I have a love them or return them guarantee thankfully! 

Todays run started out like the others, but I noticed right away my shoes just didn't fit as well as my Glycerins. With every step my feet farted!! Now it wasn't like the loud ones or the silent and deadly ones, but more like the fart you tried to hold in but it escaped out of your undies or whatever is covering your bottom. Yep! The type you spend a few moments hoping it wasn't a shart. Well, my shoes kept doing that and after about a mile or so it almost felt like I had a wet shoe on. 

The other issue I had was my right ring and pinky toes kept going numb. I couldn't feel them for most of my walk (forget running today). The colors are neat and the cushioning is amazing. That's it and certainly not $$$ worthy even though these were more supportive shoes my right ankle rolled inwards way too much and that was making my tibia ache terribly. After all the injuries I've had and recovered from I'm very attuned to my body. These are definitely a no go. The socks were ok but I'll use them for cycling and other activities. I'm going back to my tried and true Glycerins with thicker Balega socks and my super feet inserts. Why change what's working?? I should have just bought a new pair of my usual shoes because the ones I've been running in are almost six months past their expiration date and I can really feel it. 

Things didn't go as planned today, but it's okay. I will do something else and I feel better knowing that some changes aren't meant to happen right now. 

What's your go to running/walking shoe?

Happy Sunday

I usually say "happy Friday" to people I meet when I'm out and about on my day off (usually Friday's). However, this week I had a working interview/subbed for an office in New Albany. It was a whirl wind, long, overwhelming, and stressful day. By the time I got home it took almost four hours to calm down and stop the outbursts of tears and kindly let my wonderful friends know I don't want to talk right now. It was that bad. 

 Saturday I was a zombie and hung out with the Blerch all day. If you don't know who the Blerch is Google it or check out this website http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running

I missed my long run and hardy did anything productive all day. Not my typical Saturday. 

Today has been a wonderful day! I still didn't get much rest (what else is new) but I was happy to wake up next to Nathan. I got up a little early and enjoyed some coffee and got my bike gear together. I met up with a new friend named Jenn this morning and we enjoyed a country bike ride. It was fabulous with some hills to challenge us. It was great to finally meet her in person and we look forward to more rides soon. I'm still trying to figure out my Garmin 810, so I didn't record our ride! Jenna computer said we got in a little over 27 miles. Darn! We should have rode a few more to settle my OCD and get an even 30. The weather was perfect and the traffic was little to none. 

After the ride I spent a little time with Nathan before he had to leave for work. I decided to go down to my parents and visit for the afternoon. It's so beautiful out there and peaceful. I never appreciated what I had when I lived there and always complained how far out we live (the boondocks or BFE). It was a wonderful visit. My Momma and Dad were there, my brother just got home today from his vacation, and my Aunt Karen was staying the weekend to visit. 

One of my tri peeps (Connie) called me and I sat on the front porch and talked to her for a solid half an hour or so. It really perked me up and just knowing how much my peeps think and care about me makes me so happy. Here is the view from the front porch. I think it looks like a picture from Pintrest! 

Here is the frog pond complete with Lilly pads galore. It is frog heaven and late at night they make so much noise! I couldn't help be show you the back yard as well. No filter was used and what you can't see in the picture is the sunflowers galore to the left. This is the perfect hangout spot! The Tiki hut was build by my Dad and they recently added the gazabo. Notice the watermelons sitting there... Not for long! 

 

After dinner I shared a cupcake with Momma. She threatened to smash it in my face and I told her she wouldn't do it because it would waste icing. Well she slowly are hers and waited for me to finish mine up. No sooner than I swallowed my last bite...smash!!! Chocolate cupcake in the face. At least she was being nice because it could've ended up my nose! This woman is crazy, but she's my crazy. My Aunt Karen just cracked up and kept her distance to be safe. 

Other awesomeness for today was the gift my Brother gave me. I love Peeps! I really wanted the "Peepmobil" but this will do. 

Thank you Jeremy!! I love it. 

I didn't get much (any) housework done but oh well. Thoroughly enjoying the day and being happy outweighs cleaning anyday. 

I hope this week goes smoothly. I will admit I have a little different attitude towards my current job. There's things that must change and be addressed, but for now one day at a time. 

Happy Sunday everyone! 

A new solution to an old problem

I'm  I have many reasons why I don't sleep much and I've always been a night owl. Even when I was a kid I could easily pull an all nighter playing Nintendo, Barbies if Katie came over to stay, or organizing something. Yes, my OCD started at a young age! Anyways, one of the major problems lately to having a restful nights worth of sleep is our cats. No, don't even say "get rid of them" because that is not and will not be an option. They're great cats except between 12-5 am because they want to go outside then come back in. 

Last night Nathan said he was 4 different times dealing with the cats. I didn't stir once because I took some tums for the acid reflux I've caused myself from stressing out lately and one Rx anxiety pill that I knew would make me sleep solid.i usually go for a long run on Saturday mornings with Nathan, but I told him last night "do not wake me up unless the house is on fire or there is someone with a weapon." I slept a solid 10.5-11 hours, but I feel blah and outta whack right now. Perhaps some fresh air and movement will help me. 

I  think I've found a new solution to help our sleep deprivation due to the cats. I found this on Amazon earlier today. Why didn't I even think to look for something like this years ago? It's a unit that you sit in your window sill and secure it. It comes with stuff to seal the edges to help insulate it better and to secure the window top so it cannot be opened from the outside. Genius!! The picture here shows a vinyl flap, but the other one I'm looking at says it has a piece that goes around the flap and you can lock the door, have it open in/out, in only, and out only. 

I briefly thought I could buy a $10-15 cat door and make my own window unit. I don't feel like investing my time or effort and I don't know what materials I would use. $123.50 is worth a good nights sleep to me and that's cheaper than one night in a nice hotel room.

Honestly I'm not concerned with someone trying to break in and as easy as this is to install I can take it out when we're outta town. What does concern me is other critters coming in! I've had a squirrel run in the window after I've enjoyed an adult beverage (OK FINE- several adult beverages) and I chased it around the house with a frying pan that I was beating on with a wooden spatula. It found its own way back outside and no harm. I haven't had any critters try to get in lately but my cats are so loving that they like to bring me gifts. Lots of gifts. I really don't want to find mauled mice, birds, voles, moles, and so on in the house. Sometimes my "gifts" are alive and well and my kitty gets upset when I return it back to its home. I'm weighing my options and will give an update if I do end up ordering this. It has great reviews online by the way. 

Other things I've tried to stop the noise is place double sided tape (bought at Petsmart) on my bedroom door and window sills. They don't like the feel of it and stop scratching the door, but it doesn't last long because they're hairy little beasts and once it loses the tackiness its game on again. I've locked them up in a pet carrier in the back room before. I hate doing that. No room to move around, bathroom, and or food or water. It's a small carrier and my cats are rather large. The squirt bottle and ignoring them doesn't work either. I have considered getting a portable electric fencing kit (like you would use for a garden) and hooking it to the outside of my bedroom window. They go out and stay out for the night. When they try to beat on my window 2-3 hours later...buzz buzz. I would use lowest setting, but that's still not very nice. Also the UPS guy and other visitors may question our sanity.  The wire would look better than a sheet of plywood secured like I considered as well. 

Do any of you have any ideas or solutions  for pets that constantly want to run in and out? 

Sleep is overrated

It's the second sleepless night in a row. Again my cats woke me up from meowing and scratching on the door. I'm pretty mad at Nathan at the moment because he should have gotten up and dealt with the furballs before I woke up past the point of return (back to sleep). I can put them out when I go to bed but at 3 am or so they're beating on the bedroom window and making even more noise to come back in. Leave them in and they make noise and want out. I seriously wish we had a cat door so they could go in and out as they please. I can deal with an opossum or other critter coming in the door with the possibility of a good nights rest. I'd like to check into a hotel tonight just so I can sleep, but I will save my money. 

After Sir Purrs A Lot carried on more and I told Nathan not to put them in a crate outside (he finally got up but way too late to help) I got the squirt bottle and chased the cat around the house. He wanted outside so I gave him several good and hard smacks to the rear and tossed him out. The house is now quiet but I felt awful. This is one of the many reasons I DO NOT WANT A BABY! I must sleep and I do not like to be disturbed. Everyone says it's different when it's a child...I still see it as sleep deprivation. Cat, dog, baby, husband...it doesn't matter. 

As I was laying in bed I felt terrible. I should have just let the cat out and been done instead of the tail whipping he got because that was a bit much for just making noise. I guess because I've had less than 5 hours of sleep over the last 2 days (not much sleep earlier this week either) and I've got to get ready for work in 40 minutes I'm stressed. So much for looking bright eyed and bushy tailed for my first day/interview. I'll have some coffee and use more makeup. 

I tried to go back to sleep but my head and chest was pounding. I tried breathing exercises to calm myself down, but that didn't help much. Instead I went outside and did hill repeats. Yes, I ran up and down my driveway I don't know how many times. It was actually nice outside . The cool weather and little humidity felt comfortable and the sky was clear and full of bright stars. I love running at night and I have no idea why I don't do it more often. I guess cause I wouldn't want to run alone in the dark. After running I did some starlight yoga as I will call it and came back in to stretch a little more. 

I was hoping to find my kitty outside but I'm sure he's in the barn next door where he usually goes when outside at night. I still feel bad for being mean to him but not for fussing at Nathan. I really don't know what to do to solve this problem. I don't want to crate my cats at night and lock them in a back room, plus I don't have room for the crates to sit around. 

It's 4:30 am and I'm going to have a bowl of Lucky Charms then get ready and leave for work. It will take me about 35 min to get there and they have a morning meeting at 7:30am. I want to be early to help ease the stress and nerves. I'm afraid I may try to doze off so I need to keep moving. Sorry for the boring blog post and please don't report me to the ASPCA or anything because Inrealky do take good care of and love my kitties! 

I feel like I should write goodnight but I guess it's good day.

A Katy Perry Day

Today has been what I will call a Katy Perry kind of day. This is based on her song  "Hot n Cold". It goes something along the lines of "you're hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, up and then down" ... And whatever the rest is you get it. Here's the video link below if you want to listen to it while you read my blog. 

https://youtu.be/kTHNpusq654

It started at almost midnight last night when dear husband woke me up several times over silly stuff. I did chat a little with him and remind him about his dental appointment. At 12:40 am I don't give a damn what you do with the flour and there IS a difference between all purpose and whole wheat flour. I fell asleep around 1 something and was actually dreaming (deep sleep) until my cat was beating on the window at 2:30 am wanting back in. I was hoping Nathan would get up, but the longer I waited I woke up more and more. I should've just got up and let her in and fall back asleep quickly. Nope. I waited and waited then I was WIDE awake from 3-5:30am. There's nothing on tv and FB is slow. I went back and fourth with going to the pool (opened at 5am), running, or doing some yoga at home. I ended up doing nothing after forever going back and fourth. Went back to bed at 6 am and Nathan woke me up at 7 with "are you going to get up for work!!!". I still had 30 min to sleep! I was so pissed at Nathan at 5:30am because he was sleeping solid and even snoring a bit. I seriously considered dumping a pitcher of ice water on him. The Tempurpedic  has a protective cover over it so it would be fine, but I didn't want my quilt soaked or his pillow. I do have a heart. 

On with the long day at work. Same  old stuff here but I was thinking about my working interview tomorrow. How different is it going to be? Will I accept the job if it's offered to me? Am i making the right decision? I will miss my patients so much (some I'd be happy to never deal with again). What IF My boss sees the light and will pay me what I want and get some help in there for me...will I stay? My head has been spinning all week but due to the lack of sleep really bad today. 

I enjoyed lunch with Nathan and even ate healthier since I planned to run after work to break in my new shoes. Instead I had dinner with my parents (not so healthy). I don't mind missing exercise for some reasons and seeing my parents is one of them. I was too full to even think about running afterwards but figured I could at least walk and enjoy the pretty evening. I  stopped by the Y where I run on the paved trail only to stay in my car and head back towards home. I wish I had went ahead and got that run in this morning. I do this ALL THE TIME! I wish I was a morning person. Again I went back and fourth with myself this evening. Do this...nah I'll do that...then end up doing nothing. Hey!! This is the 2nd blog post this week so it's something.

Normally I would stay up late and watch tv with Nathan and have my homemade popcorn tonight. Instead I've got to get stuff ready for the very early morning tomorrow and finish my chores so I can get to bed early. I will arrive at work tomorrow 30 min before I usually roll out of bed for work. Please cross your fingers for me and I hope my head stops spinning and my heart and mind can work together and decide what's best. What am I so afraid of or worried  about?

I hope to have more answers tomorrow and get in some sort of exercise. I always feel so much better! I will be all in one week (or day) with training then all out the next one. Are you picking up on the Katy Perry song reference? 

One day at a time. 

By the way, I really like how handy the Blogger app is. 

 

Random things to be happy about today.

Okay so it's been a little longer than I though since my last blog post. Thank you Alexis for the gentle reminders of my delinquency. I will try to do better for now on and I've just downloaded the blogger app for my iPhone and iPad! I had no idea this existed and just thought I would check and see because it would be much easier to update. Woohoo! I found what I was looking for and hoping existed. Darn. I guess I can't develop that app and make lots of money.

Anyways today's blog is just things to be happy about. I've had a really hard time over the last 6 months and it's time to change things for the better. The first way to change things is to change the way you think and see things. I'm trying to remove all the negativity in my life and that does take some time. In the meantime I can focus on the positive and what makes me happy. 

Let's start off with finding the Google Blogger Apps! Yea! Now I can fill y'all in on what I'm doing and what's going on. 

I will do my first working interview this Friday at Denzinger Family Dental. I'm really nervous but excited to check out another world in my career. I know it's going to be very different, but my Dad has always told me that "change is good" so we'll see how that goes. I will give an update on here for my (stalkers) followers.

I'm happy to be healthy enough to teach Spin or "psycho cycling" as some class goers call it. I usually eat very light before any exercise, but I went to dinner with my wonderful Momma right after work. The company was great and I always cherish seeing her, but eating a buffet at KFC  was a BAD IDEA before class. I noted that in the books and I'm really glad everyone wanted to take it easy tonight. 

I enjoyed one margarita after class and shared some good laughs with friends. I'm thankful and happy for all the friendships I have made. I love you all- yes I'm sober. 

Coming home I was happy to see two packages on my front porch. I LOVE MAIL!! unless it's a bill then not so much. My wooden box came that I am going to decorate and store my Young Living Essential Oils in. I also ordered some label stickers. I am so OCD organized that binders, labels, new pens, paper clips, and other organizational crap makes me elated!!! 

I also (finally) got my new running shoes in today. It really didn't take long at all but I wanted them on Friday before my longer run on Saturday. I was so excited to open the box and look at my new shoes!! I ordered the Brooks Transcend 2 in purple and orange. I found a pair my size at two local stores but the colors were ugly and I wanted this specific pair. Does anyone else have that problem? I'm a slow runner so I have to look good!  Anyways, opening the box was a treat to my senses. The vibrant colors, the fresh smell of new shoes (that won't last long), and the feel of ultimate cushion. If I wasn't so ugh feeling right now I would gonna run up and down the driveway tonight! Hill repeats anyone? I'm happy I'm well enough to run. Over the last year it's been hell for my body, yet I feel I'm getting stronger than ever and training smarter not harder. 

Finally another happy thing was I came home to a cozy and clean home. My three kitties were happy to see me. I carried in another watermelon to sit on the floor in my kitchen. One of my Spin peeps gave me a watermelon after class (thank you Randy) !! Yea that's how we roll in the country.  It's wonderful to have a place to call home and people to share it with. I don't always appreciate that like I should. 

I hope this new App works well. We'll see how it goes! Until next time rock on! Have a great night.