Weight loss

I stepped on the scale Tuesday and saw I number I've wanted to see for weeks. I finally have lost 55 pounds. During the last two weeks, there have been several times I was only a half pound away. I thought I would reach the milestone the next day, but I didn't. I ended up eating too much food. Especially at dinner. My husband makes too much delicious food and it is hard to pass up.

To reach the milestone, I've added more exercises after running. Besides the usual crunches and push ups I always do, I added bench using free weights, triceps extensions, side leg lifts, mountain climbers, stair climbing and t-push ups. The t-push ups are very hard. They are so hard, I can only do 10.

I have given myself until November to lose 25 more pounds. I know I can do it. I just hope it doesn't take until November.

Random things

I crushed my 10K PR Sunday. It was a humid day and I dropped my PR by ten minutes. That number could have been higher. After crossing five miles, I developed wicked side cramps. I tried to keep my pace up, but the side cramps hurt so much. It was in this last mile that a man and woman passed me. I did all I could to try to keep up with them, but I couldn't. I did run down a younger girl. The last stretch of the race to go and we are side by side. I started my sprint towards the finish line. The girl didn't come with me. If she did, I wonder if I could have held her off? I finished in 59:59. My first 10K ever under one hour. I hope to do it again Saturday when I run another 10K. It is not supposed to be as humid this weekend.

The photo of me waving was about 15 minutes before my race started. The second photo is me after I crossed the finish line saying "Yay" and wearing my dailymile shirt.

My husband and I finally decided on days were are going on vacation. He told me what days he got approved for. I was surprised. He asked me a couple of days ago, which week would be better for me. He misunderstood me and requested time off for an earlier week. He now has to request off the correct week. I'm hoping that his other co-workers haven't requested that time off. There is a new policy at his work. If someone else has already requested certain days off, no one else can ask for them off. It has been a struggle to plan this year's vacation. I'm hoping tomorrow he will tell me he got the time off. I really need some time away from work. My last real vacation was last October. Eight months is too long.

Photos by Lad Strayer

Indie Ink

My photo, Dead Bird, is featured on Indie Ink today.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene

Backstage view - Tecumseh, MI

Miles run in 2010

I haven't updated my mileage in a while. I figured I would wait until I crossed a big milestone. I crossed it last week. I have run over 1000 miles this year! In 2009, I passed 1000 miles in November. Running 40-50 miles a week this year really helped me reach it quicker. If I ran 1030 miles halfway through June, maybe I can make it to 2000 miles by the end of the year. Only time will tell.

2004: 151.6
2005: 191.2
2006: 241.8
2007: 229.4
2008: 495.2
2009: 460.5
2010: 1030.0

Change of seasons

After standing in the sun and humidity for 1.5 hours, the time had finally come. The spring sports season was over. The softball team I photographed lost 1-0 in the state semifinals Friday.

With the spring sports season over, we are already onto our new season: the summer season. The summer sports season started a couple of weeks ago. We cover three American Legion baseball teams and a collegiate baseball league over the summer. Their seasons last until August.

Soon after the summer season wraps up. The fall sports season is already upon us. Usually the second week of August, the local high school fall season teams start practice. It is only a few weeks later that the first contest is played. The county that I live in is very sports oriented. I think that there is rarely a week that a sports contest is not played somewhere. And where that game is being played, you'll find us there.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene

Indie Ink

My photo, Ballerinas, is featured on Indie Ink today.

Cool - Tecumseh, MI

I love the color of this photo. The color is due to the stage lights.

Then and Now

What a difference! Now that I see photos of myself side by side, I can see it. My face is thinner and I'm 50 pounds lighter.

The photo on the left was taken in June 2009. The photo on the right was taken today.

I really like how I look today. I will really like me better when I lose 30 pounds. I'm almost there and I can see the finish line in the distance.

True Blood

I didn't even know what HBO's True Blood was about two weeks ago. Now I do. I added Season 1's DVDs to my Netflix queue months ago and they finally came. After watching the first episode, I was hooked. It took about a week and half to watch Season 1. I had Season 2 on my queue. But deleted them. My sister said I could borrow her Season 2 box set. I watched Season 2 in two days. True Blood Season 3 premieres on Sunday and I can't wait. Unfortunately, I will have to watch it on Monday because it is on at 9 p.m. and by that time I should be in bed. I can't wait to see who kidnapped Bill.

As far as the characters, I like Sookie and Bill together. They are a cute couple. And they are engaged in real life. I wish Eric would stop trying to interfere with their relationship. I'm really excited that James Frain is joining the show. James is a terrific actor and I was sad when his character, Thomas Cromwell, was executed in The Tudors. Can't wait to see what he will bring to the show.

Smiles - Tecumseh, MI

I'm still editing recital photos, but I really liked this one. I love the smiles on all of their faces.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene

Weekend update

I enjoyed photographing a dance recital Friday night. All of the dancers were wonderful. I really got carried away this year. I can't believe I took over 1000 photos. That is as much or more that I used to shoot at weddings that lasted all day. The recital was only 2.5 hours.

I attended a Miss Michigan candidate's send off party Saturday evening. It was fun. First, we had a nice buffet dinner. On the menu was a chicken salad sandwich, broccoli salad, mixed fruit, vegetables and a cheese tray. It was so good. After we were all full, the candidate modeled her outfits for the week of Miss Michigan, the pageant and performed her talent. Her dresses were so pretty. Her evening gown for the pageant is breathtaking. The judges will either love it or hate it. I personally love the dress. It will be very different from everyone else. I had such a great time, I was there for three hours. This Miss Michigan candidate was in the top 10 last year. This year I hope she does much better.

Busy, busy

I had a pretty busy weekend. I had a pretty busy work day Tuesday. I worked a total of 12.5 hours. I got about four hours of sleep this morning and then my day started again. When the alarm went off, I got right out of bed. My first couple of steps this morning were staggering. What I mean by staggering, I was really staggering around my bedroom. I think it was my lack of sleep.

After working 5.5 hours this morning, I went home to run. I ran eight miles, showered, made lunch and waited for our new stove and refrigerator to be delivered. Once the items were installed, my husband and I transferred all of the food from the old refrigerator to the new one. Our new fridge is bigger and has an water and ice dispenser, which is nice.

A couple of weeks ago I planned to photograph a dance recital rehearsal tonight. I decided against going because I was so worn out. I stayed home to rest. I figured that was best because Thursday, I will be driving out of the county to photograph a district soccer game. On Friday, I will be photographing the actual dance recital and Saturday evening I will be attending a send off party for a Miss Michigan contestant. I decided a night at home with my husband would do me good.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene

Random things

I lost 40 pounds 18 days ago. I finally lost 45 pounds today. This time was a struggle. There were three to four times were I was a half pound away from 45. The next day when I thought I would be there. I wasn't. I was usually 1-2 pounds away again. It was very disappointing. My plan is to keep going to lose more. I know it won't be easy, but I will be doing my best to work it off.

Earlier this month, I wrote about joining The President's Challenge. I won a Bronze award Sunday by reaching 20,000 points. I'm after the Silver award now. I'm only 23,805 points away.

Random things

I photographed two track conference meets and a regional track meet. Each of these meets takes hours and I was in the sun a lot. The first two meets, I really didn't get sunburned. My legs just below my knees got really burned at yesterday's conference meet. It is my fault. I put sunblock on my arms and face, but not my legs. Besides being at a track meet for hours, there was no shade. The only shade was under the bleachers. Most of the teams set up their team tents there. I enjoyed photographing all three meets, so many great runners.

With all of the track meets I've photographed this week, my Nancy Drew reading has been on the back burner. My plan is to read at least three books over the Memorial Day weekend.

In speaking of Memorial Day weekend, my three day weekend officially started at 9:30 a.m. I will enjoy having three days off. I would say that I'm looking forward to running a 5K Saturday morning. It should be fun. I never have run this course before so I'm excited to run something new. I am worried about the heat during the race. The race starts at 10 a.m. I don't know why it is so late. Usually the races around the area start at 9 a.m.

Warm up - Adrian, MI

Jump - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

I love reading Nancy Drew books. It really brings me back to my summer childhood. I would attempt to read the series every summer. I never succeeded. While reading these books again, I've been finding my old bookmarks. Always near the front of the book. I can now read a Nancy Drew book in a couple of hours. Boy, times have changed.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene

Random things

I should have posted this last week, but I was busy. Here is a photo of me after my husband's awards banquet. When we walked into the banquet, my husband's boss and his girlfriend asked him who was with him. He said it was me, his wife. They didn't recognize me. I talked to them and they said I looked fabulous.

I'm happy that I'm photographing so much track this week. I'm photographing a track regional this afternoon because it was postponed on Friday due to rain. On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm photographing conference meets. With the weather being so nice, I could photograph a track meet every day.

From out of the blue, it went from 60° to 80° in a day. On my runs, Sunday and this morning, I was not used to the heat. I hope to get accumulated to it this week because I'm running a 5K late Saturday morning.

Books read in 2010

I've been having a wonderful time re-reading my old Nancy Drew books. If I sit down and read, I can get through a book in an hour. That is what happened with the first two books. I have been a little busy this week, so I haven't had enough time to sit down to read it cover to cover so quickly. I plan to continue reading all of the books that I have in the collection. Those books should keep me busy for a month or so.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene

New clothes

My husband's award banquet for work is tonight. I bought a new outfit and shoes. I bought heels. HEELS! For over a year, I have been wearing nothing besides running shoes. I wear running shoes to the office, running shoes to church, running shoes to run. You name it, I wear them there. I thought since my heel feels normal again, that I would try heels. The awards banquet shouldn't be too long. I think I can manage heels for three hours or less.

I told my sister that what I was wearing for this evening. She wants me to get a photo of myself. She wants to see me in heels. I'm hoping I can get my husband to take a picture of me. If I get one, I will post it.

Unison - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene

Random things

It feels like it took forever, but I finally reached it. I have lost 40 pounds so far this year. There would be days when I was a half pound away, then dinner would happen. After dinner, I would be two to three pounds away again. It did get frustration that I would have to work it off again. Finally losing 40 pounds, It is nice to reach the halfway point of my goal. Now I only have another 40 pounds to lose until I'm satisfied.

I mailed in my entry form for a 5K over Memorial Day weekend today. The race is relatively new and I thought it would be something fun to do over the holiday weekend. Should be a good run. The course is flat except for one or two hills.

The kitchen renovation is still in progress. My husband is painting the ceiling as I type and the walls were primed yesterday. My husband wants to finish up the tile over the weekend and paint the walls. It is slowly coming together. I would say the project should take another week or two. I hope it will be a week. I need order in my house. But at least I have a working sink and dishwasher now.

Miles run in 2010

I bought a new pair of shoes last week. My old pair had way over 500 miles run in them. I bought Mizuno Wave Riders. I love these shoes. They are the only pair of running shoes I've worn since 2004. You can say I'm a satisfied customer.

2004: 115
2005: 151
2006: 187.6
2007: 184.3
2008: 370.5
2009: 360.4
2010: 741.7

The President's Challenge

Out of the blue, I Googled Presidential Physical Fitness Test. Now its know as the President's Challenge. I wanted to see if I could reach the standards today. Back in elementary and junior high, I participated in these tests. I won an National Physical Fitness Award once. I always wanted to win it again, but never did. If I had to do the test today, I know I could win another National Physical Fitness Award. I know I couldn't win a Presidential Physical Fitness Award because I'm terrible at pull-ups.

While I was at the site, I saw an adults link. I clicked on it and found that adults can still participate in the program. I signed up to do the Presidential Champions challenge. This challenge is for active adults that want a new challenge. I exercise six times a week, so I thought it would be fun to participate. You earn points by exercising or different activities. Once you reach a certain amount of points, you win an award. The award is an actual medal. The medal can be purchased. For Bronze, you need 20,000 points. To win silver, 45,000 points are needed. To win the Presidential Champions Gold Award you have to reach 80,000 points. I've been in the program for two days and I have 1500 points out of 20,000. I should reach bronze in less then a month.

Weekend update

Had a wonderful Mother's Day. First, my sister and I took our Mom out to dinner Saturday night. The restaurant was packed before 6 p.m. I guess everyone else wanted to eat the early bird special also. Besides people eating dinners with their mothers, family or friends; there was another prom night in the county. A group of teenagers in their prom outfits came into the restaurant. Apparently, the 20 minute wait was too long for them. They decided to leave. I hoped they realized at 6 p.m. they were going to have a wait at any restaurant they went to. Silly kids.

Woke up early Sunday morning. It was 6:20 a.m., according to my alarm clock. Started my 7 mile run right after 7 a.m. After running and showering, sat down on the couch to read. I have to read almost 300 more pages before Friday. The book is due back at the library. Reading made me tired. I laid down on the couch and took a short nap. Went to my Mom's in the afternoon. It was too cold to get out the grill, so hamburgers and hot dogs were made inside. There was so much food because all of us brought something over. I had a piece of cake for dessert. It was really good and filling. I passed up eating a brownie because I already had too much to eat. My brother and sisters watched a movie together after lunch. Before leaving, my sisters and I helped our Mom cover the plants and flowers outside due to the overnight frost warning. Excuse me, its May. Can we not have any more frost warnings? Had a nice time visiting with the family. Mom had a nice Mother's Day. Only my oldest brother was missing. He called in the afternoon to talk to Mom.

Kitchen update

I helped my husband hang cabinets on Monday. Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I put all of our food and kitchen utensils away. Our new cabinets are huge. We have extra space still. Not every cabinet is filled. I guess that is a good thing.

Received a call this afternoon, the granite guys are coming to install the counter tops Thursday. YAY! It will be so nice to have a sink again in the kitchen. Along with having a sink it the kitchen, we will no longer have to wash our dishes by hand. We will now have a dishwasher. Our dishes will really be clean now. I'm not saying they weren't cleaned when washed by hand, but sometimes I missed a couple of spots.

It will be really nice if the kitchen remodeling project will be wrapped up this week. Things that still need to be completed are: painting, installing a new back door, putting the basement door back on the hinges, finishing the floor in the dining room and installing the thresholds.

Random things

My husband is still plugging away at the kitchen. He is almost done laying down the hardwood floor for the kitchen and dining room. Later this week, the granite counters will be installed. When those are finally installed, my husband paint the walls and put up the glass tile back-splash. I think when that is finished, the kitchen will be nearing completion. It has probably been only three or four weeks, but it has felt like an eternity. Not being able to work around the house. Looking for food in totes. Eating peanut butter sandwiches, three times in one week. It is just so frustrating. I will be so happy when the project is done and everything is in its place.

Every time I see this commercial on TV, I smile. The raccoon is just so cute.

Books read in 2010

I finished both Agatha Christie books last week. I finished The Mysterious Affair at Styles in about a day. I'm currently reading a book about the John F. Kennedy assassination. It was written back in 1980s. Most of what was written, has been disproved. But it is fun to see what was believed then. After the JFK, I will be reading a bunch of Nancy Drew books. Last week, Nancy Drew turned 80. I wanted to re-read the books that I loved growing up.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie

Currently Reading: Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
Up Next: The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene