PartyLite

Years back when I first got stationed in Germany, for the second time. A co-worker/friend invited me to a PartyLite party. Having just arrived to the area I decided, sure why not. So I attended. I fell in love with these candles! Fast forward (close to 10 years later) I have become a consultant! I don’t really do in home shows because my schedule just won’t allow them, so I “catalog shows”! I have one going on right now and it doesn’t matter if you live right up the street from me or on the other side of the world you can still order stuff (see, catalog shows are great!). Please do me a favor and check out the site, if you chose to purchase you will need to look me up as you “host” (I am hoping the link will bring you right to me!) if it doesn’t just enter Sammie Rowan and you should find me. If you have any question, please feel free to drop me a line and I will see what I can do to help!

Did I mention they even have little air fresheners for gym bags!!!!

Friday

I really should know better than to plan on run either after work or after class on school nights. It just never works out. By the time I got to my trail yesterday I had less than an hour to do my run, get my food and get to class. So, I cheated! I stopped by my favorite running store. What else was I supposed to do? J I picked up a new running bra, a running top thing (once I hit my goal weight I will be able to go out running with just the top and not the top with a shirt on over it!), two new pairs of running socks and another Sweaty Band! They carry SkirtSports running skirts, which is fine (SkirtSports has a good verity but they don’t stay where they need to, on me at least) so I asked the manager to please carry Running Skirts. He explained why he doesn’t carry them (and I understand his reasoning) but then I let him know why I prefer them over SkirtSports (they have a drawstring in the capris). He said ok! I was so happy! I then went to Wooglin’s and grabbed my dinner. I love their Veg Head Chili! I got school, set up my computer and by that time class was about to start!

Wednesday I had a pretty good scare. I was getting stuff organized for the next day when I heard about the shooting at the Frankfurt Airport. Mind you, someone I care very deeply for is military and is currently stationed in Germany. When I got to work Thursday morning I sent off a one-liner making sure it wasn’t him (he is Army and most of the reports were saying airmen, so I was pretty sure it wasn’t him, but I still had to check). It took about two hours for him to read my email (gotta love read receipts) but I got an answer back immediately. I have to say this guy makes most guys look like girls when it comes to written communications; getting an email from him once every three or so months is his way of being talkative. He will sort of talk face-to-face. But emails, texts, stuff like that, only if he has to! The beginning of last year when all hell was breaking loose on the kid front (the whole ER thing) I had to send him a very personal question and he had no issue writing back and giving me the information that Jose was much appreciative for! He will be there for you, but he would rather not do it via email! Much to my surprise, I got another email from him today! Letting me know where his next duty station is, ok, I admit I really wish it would have been here, it would be nice to see him again, but NO! He will be on the other side of the country. Oh, well.

Tomorrow is another group run. Once again, I am going to try to get a run in this evening (I have a lot on my mind I really need to clear out) but I will be at the group run tomorrow, so at least I will have that! This is the end of Week 9 at school so I have two weeks left of the quarter and then I will be in a classroom on Mondays only! I have an online class I get to deal with, yay, but I am getting there.

Here is to another Friday!

YAY! Another outside run!

Today has become a two (well, three if you count the ABCs) kind of day.

As I was walking around earlier I remembered that tonight I have class (I already knew that) and that on Tuesday I had decided I would go to Wooglin's Deli & Café to pick up dinner. This is a big deal because this place is awesome to two reasons. #1 – it is two or three doors down from my favorite running store (I need to pick up some more running socks!). #2 – they have a huge selection of non-meat stuff to include chili. My entire household loves it when I bring them food from this place, but tonight they won’t be so lucky! It’s mine, all mine! Besides the fact that this place has great food, it has college kid prices (might have something to do with the fact it is less than a block away from one of the local colleges). I had been in there to meet someone way back when, but I hadn’t really tried them until I wanted a hot chocolate and the coffee shop a door or two up informed me that all they had was coffee (they is just stupid!). I brought my boys in to the deli and not only did I get a pretty good hot chocolate (sorry, Ghirardelli’s was better, but what do you expect?) but I had dinner for everyone and whenever I am in that part of town (and others know) I get a nice list of what I need to pick up!

Another thing I started thinking about was my weight. Yes, I want my number to go down, but I had to take notice of non-scale related steps too. Yesterday my two primary pairs of work pants were stuck in the laundry, since I can’t wear jeans to work and I really don’t like wearing skirts to work (but yet I will wear them to run) I grabbed a pair of pants that I didn’t think would fit because they are significantly smaller than my usual pants. I pulled them up, hey! They made it over my butt! Buttoned them up and then zip! They were on and done up!!!! YAY! Can I sit down in them? Yup! They were a little snug around the midsection, but not in a horrible way, I wore a long shirt to cover the nice muffin top I had going on, but I was able to put them on, do them up and not be horribly uncomfortable all day long! It is accomplishments like this that I need to keep in mind too.

A few days ago EMZ had posted something about King’s cakes, I was so excited when I walked into the break room at work to toast my Vita Top muffin and low and behold there was a huge VERY colorful pastry thing. My first response was ‘What the hell is that?’ the two guys standing there said it is a King’s Cake! As one of them was chewing on it I told him to watch out for the baby! He didn’t even realize there was a baby in there (no, the baby was not in the piece he had). I thought it was so cool I actually saw in real life what EMZ was talking about! I did break down and try a piece, yea, not my cup of tea! Too much sugar and it had a lemon taste to it (I am not a fan of citrus flavors unless I am actually eating the fruit or drinking the juice).

As far as my run goes, I am overly excited to report that I will not have to hit the dreadmill, I actually will be able to my lunch break at the end of the day (to much going on to take a normal lunch break) so I will be able to hit the trails, again! Since I am going to Wooglin’s I will get on the trail near there (great part is, it is the longest run this week and the flattest!). It is kind of nice hitting the trail three days this week and not seeing the same scenery. One thing that was talked about at Weight Watchers last night was shaking things up. Well, I am shaking things up!

Tomorrow is a cross training day, I am not sure if I want to hit the stationary bike (which I really should) and/or hit the pool. I might bring my kiddos to the pool and let them play after they swim their laps. I know, I am a mean mommy, I make my kids swim laps totaling their age. My dad did that to me and my sister, I think it is just fine for my boys to do, as well! If they swim double their age, they get a Starbucks or an ice cream! Saturday is the group run and my schedule has 5 miles. The weather looks pretty good for Saturday… “Mostly sunny. Highs 44 to 51. West winds up to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.” (www.wundergroud.com)

ABCs

A~Age: 26 – just ask my boys!
B~ Bed Size: Queen, but I really need a dog sized bed!

C~Chore you hate: laundry

D~Dogs: 2 – Charlie (great dane/lab) and Freddie (boxer) – both sleep on my bed with me, hence the dog sized bed!

E~Essential Start your Day Item:

F~Favorite Color: purple!
G~Gold or Silver: silver (or platinum)
H~Height: 5’8
I~Instruments you play: flute, sax, violin, cello, piano, give me an interment and a week and I can play it.
J~Job Title: Quality Assurance Analyst
K~Kids: 4 boys! Ok, fine 2 two-legged boys and 2 four-legged boys
L~Live: The beautiful state of Colorado!

M~Mom’s Name: Mom, Your majesty, Mommy (when I use that one she KNOWS I want something [or I did something!]
N~Nicknames: Sammie, kid, kid-kid, cutie, lady…

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: 5 – 2 child births, 2 pregnancy issues, 1 MAJOR eye infection
P~Pet Peeve: people who do not keep their word, liars, rude people, dishonest people…

Q~Quote from a Movie: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."

R~Right or Left Handed: Right
S~Siblings: one – the best big sister in the entire world

T~Time you wake up: the time I get up and the time I wake up are two totally different things! During the week I get up around 5:30 am, I wake up at about 4:00 pm. The weekends, I am awake before I get up!
U~Underwear: Yes
V~Vegetable you Dislike: spaghetti squash (YUCK!)
W~What Makes You Late: My kids!
X~X-rays You’ve had Done: What haven’t I had x-rayed?
Y~Yummy Food you Make: Spaghetti (I will even make the noodles from time to time), Mexican cornbread, chili… you know, when I actually decide to cook (not just throw something together) I am pretty damn good cook!
Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: I am actually not a fan of the zoo, it just seems to cruel to me! My favorite animal is a turtle.

Sore

My weigh in last night didn’t quiet go as well as planned, I put on .2 pounds. At first I was a little let down but then I started thinking. I had been weighing in first thing in the morning; no food, no water, no nothing for 8+ hours prior to being weighed in. Yesterday I ate my normal breakfast, lunch and snacks. I went for a run, I consumed a significant amount of water. So a .2 pound gain? I can live with that. Next week, however will be different!

With that said and done I woke up this morning and my upper body was sore! I laid in bed smiling. Ok, so I have planned on hitting the bike during lunch but I didn’t feel like it. So I did some good upper body weights. I felt great! After work, I made it for my run. Styling my new Preppy Pink Running Capri from Runningskirts.com I selected a point on my favorite trail and headed north and then came back. I realized I wasn’t pushing as much as I could, but I felt good. I was a little slower than I was on Monday (I think I was tired at first), but I was out there and enjoying everything.

Today is a 3.5 – 4 mile run; sadly I have class tonight so I have to hit the treadmill for this run during lunch. I guess I can’t get all my miles outside.

When Irish Eyes are Smilin’

Have you noticed how in a lot of cases St. Patrick’s Day is no longer a day, but more of a month? I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, I just think it is entertaining! After much research I have found out that I am, in fact, half Irish/half Scottish. Ok, to be really and truly accurate I am I am half Australian/half American (my ‘mum’ is an Aussie and my dad is an American). My sister and I have actually gotten very interested in where our ancestors came from on our dad’s side we were able to track back to exactly when that side came to the US from Ireland (it was the late 1800s). Our mom’s side, well, that took a little more work but first we did not come from criminals (I was a little disappointed in that one) but that side took a more roundabout way of getting here! What does this have to do with anything? Nothing, really besides the fact I find that type of stuff interesting!

Last night by the time I was leaving class I was going cross eyed so I went home to check on poor Freddie instead of going to the gym. Poor Freddie is fine, he is acting as if nothing had happened! Today I have another Monday workout. Since I didn’t get my miles in yesterday I will be getting my ride in during lunch (still on the stationary bike, to much sand on the roads still) and then I will head north for my run. Yes, I could leave work and run my miles around the office (or even on the treadmill) or I could hit the Santa Fe Trail and not just put in miles, but actually really and truly enjoy my run! That’s a hard decision, isn’t it!!!!

Tonight is also Weight Watchers night, yay! I am going for 2.4 pounds! Here is to a wonderful day!

Work to Live or Live to Work?

As I stated yesterday I had to work over the weekend and that got me to thinking. There are two categories of people in the world, those who work to live and those who live to work. Actually, there are three categories you also have the group who are to lazy to work and just mooch off of others. For the record stay at home moms do NOT fall into that third category by any stretch of the imagination (as far as I am concerned they have the hardest job around, there are no sick days, there are no lunch breaks, etc.).

I will be the first to admit, I fall 100% into Category 1, work to live race. J When I can help it I get my time in and get out. Don’t get me wrong, if there is something that needs to get done, I have no issue putting in extra hours, not a big deal, its life! I need my weekends (Sunday I was dragging something fierce and Monday was even worse). I like knowing Friday is just around the corner and when the weekend comes the fun starts. I like having my family at the top of my priorities (which is why I work!). I like providing for my kids and knowing if there is a movie coming out that they just have to see we can go see it. I try my damndest not to let work interfere with that.

I work with something who is Category 2 and to be brutally honest, it is actually quite sad. I have never seen anyone so miserable, not to mention cranky! A family at home, speaks degradingly to spouse, kid (who is a brat) who can do no wrong. The priorities are just so different. And so are the personalities!

Yesterday I am ecstatic to report I got both of my workouts in yesterday. I did a 12-miler (on the stationary bike) in during lunch and I decided to hop on the treadmill for three minutes as soon as I was done. My legs left pretty good on the treadmill which was nice, I plan on throwing in a mini brick from time to time during my week session just to get my legs used to having to do that turnover and then as my triathlons approach I will get some bricks in on the weekends. I did say I got both of my workouts in yesterday. After work I stopped by the bathroom, got changed into my running clothes and then drove up to the north gate of the Air Force Academy and did a nice 3-miler, actually by the time I got back to my car is was more than 3 miles, but it felt absolutely amazing being out there running!

Today I have another 3-miler on the books, but I might end up with a forced rest day. I had to drop Freddie off at the vet, he is fine, he is just have the operation today. Then I have class tonight, so I am not sure I will get my miles in (I am going to try to get them in after class, but I next expect that to happen, most of the time I am just to tired!).

On a side note, I have been shopping (hence the new running watch)…

Sweaty Bands

I think the first time I saw them was at the San Diego RnR Marathon and I thought they were cute, that was until I saw the price. My first thought was ARE THEY NUTS??? And I continued on my way. Then later on a good running buddy started talking about them, again, Is she insane spending that much money for a headband? (Sorry Lynne!) Saturday I did a smidge of emotional shopping before having to go into work and where else would I go, but my favorite running store? They had this really cute Sweaty Band and I decided what the hell, I will get it (not expecting much). Yesterday I did my bike ride and it didn’t move; treadmill, no moving. Put it on again to hit the trail (luckily it had dried out some) put my visor on over the top and guess what, didn’t move!!!!

Dear Sweaty Bands,

I am sorry I ever doubted you!

Running Skirts

I got home last night and there was a package in front of my door. YAY! My new skirts have arrived. As I got closer I realized two skirts would not need that big of a package. I looked at it and it was for my sister. L I was on the phone with my sister as she was driving home and she said she was stopping by the mailbox. There was a key in the box! She said I had a package, little did she know I was still in my running stuff, I flew out the door and hauled butt down to there, Jose handed me the package out the driver side window and I hauled butt back up the street! My two new running skirts had arrived. Now, I am not talking about SkirtSports running skirts. These are actually from RunningSkirts.com. Their Capri running skirts have drawstrings! (SkirtSports, you might want to make a note of this). I ran upstairs and tried on my new skirts! I got the green plaid athletic skirt (no drawstring) and it fit nicely, it will be perfect for the St. Patrick’s day 5K! I also got the Preppy Pink Capri Running Skirt (has drawstring), I like the purple one so much (I did my last marathon in it), I had get a pink on! Apparently the spring line should be coming out soon, I can’t wait!