Ramblings.

That's all you are gonna get from this post. I really need to dedicate more time to blogging. 

So here goes. My ramblings of everything going on. This may be a long post. Get a cup of coffee, or a SPARK, get comfy cause here it goes.

The OSU 4 MILER was amazing. The race course itself was fantastic. Run thru The Ohio State University and finish on the 50-yard line of the SHOE. No brainer. Especially if you are a BUCKEYE fan! And to top it all off, Nate and I ran it together. You know that teenager of mine??? Yeah, him. SMH. He was encouraging. I was encouraging. We encouraged and did it together. I have never had a prouder moment (that I can remember) as a parent than running with him.

I took the following Monday off to work on things around the house. It's was Veteran's Day. Base was closed. And I had a dentist appointment. I got the leaves raked. Christmas lights up on the house. Toilet caulked. Garage cleaned up so my car could fit. New blinds in the kitchen installed.Food prepped for the week. I got a lot done that day. I love productive days. I know there is something I am forgetting.

Anyhow. It wasn't the last time I raked the leaves. I, or rather Nate and I, probably have done it a total of 6 times since then with the final time being this past Sunday in the blustery wind! But it's done. At least it is for this year unless it warms up to 50 degrees!

I did manage to get a run in last week though. Nate had SNAPP (Samaritan North Athletic Performance Program) on Tuesday. Kelly has Ryan (her oldest son) enrolled too and at the same time. So, I told her to dress warm cause we were going for a run! I have wanted to run for so long! And I really have no excuse to not go by myself other than it is BY MYSELF. Who likes to do that??? I better start...  It was cold that night. But the wind was minimal so it seemed doable. We were just going to run around the perimeter of the hospital. It lighted and security drives around, so we felt safe. We started off fast. I felt good tho. I mean, it was about 12/mile, which is fast, for me. And even more so for her considering she hadn't run since the half at the END OF SEPTEMBER! Shame on you Kelly!   It was also hilly. But OH MY GOODNESS! I felt great. It felt great. She talked. I listened. We ran. It was fun! Just like 'old times'.  I even thru some stairs in there. There's a small set at the top of the lot that goes to another parking lot. Maybe 10-15 steps, with a landing. Easy peasy. Up and down those fast about 5 times. Felt good! Down the hill to the bottom and then back up the hill. The second time around we were going to go back to the car but she was talking about something and I didn't let her know we could be done so we kept running. Until we turn the corner and she says "well shoot, you distracted me!" Yep! Sure did!  It was fun. I felt amazing. It just felt good.

I did get some house projects done that I have been putting off...like hanging my medal rack that my dear Waltham co-worked CAF made for me! And finding a hat hanger at the thrift store to hang up my ball caps!

Where the medals used to hang...not safe

On the medal rack in the spare room!

Love my hat rack! $.99 at the thrift store!

 On another note...feeling good. I haven't been. So I have been thru a round of doctors (okay, just the Chiropractor and my Gyno and Digestive). All three VERY IMPORTANT doctors.  So here's the run-down:

• Chiropractor. Yes, the AHHHHHMAZING Dr. Prikkel. I made an appointment a couple of weeks ago for some numbness and shooting pain in right arm (I clarify for fears of heart attack). He was aware of this as I inquired about carpal tunnel with him and he did some special thing and some special exercises for it so I thought going back to him before I made an appt with the GP would be good. See, this pain was shooting up my arm from my fingers and back down and then radiating up and down my arm to about my shoulder and shoulder blade. The pain was so bad it would wake me in the middle of the night. I would roll over and cry. Hurts. So. Bad. So some electro-stimulation, adjustments and what not and I am about "cured". Or rather, the pain is subsiding. Thoracic Entrapment. That's what it is.  I am sleeping more. The tingling and pain isn't as constant. It's definitely an improvement. One more appointment and hopefully I will be more on the mend. 
• Gyno. Annual. You know. My meds are off. I am so moody. Expressed concern about pre-menopausual (aren't we all?!?!) She thinks I'm fine. I scheduled a Mammogram. My first. It was today. Interesting. I was very reflective during it. The technician was very nice. Kept asking if I was "doing okay" Yes, it was awkward. But all I could think about was my friend who had a mammogram to confirm her worst fear. And then the GMA news anchor and how she had her first mammogram without any suspicion and she found out she had breast cancer. So, I reflected. And I prayed. For my friend. For all the women (and men) that have breast cancer. It really wasn't bad at all. If you are of age to get one, get it. Don't wait.
• Digestive. Damn UC. Actually, it was just a follow-up. And my doctor has the best bedside manner a doctor could have. He is gentle. He listens. He expresses interest in your life. And he is even better at expressing concern about your life. So I had a full blood workup done. Concerned that I am pre-diabetic. That scared me. Here I thought I was healthy. Making healthy choices. Taking my supplements and vitamins. Watching what I eat. Only to realize that I AM NOT doing everything I can or should to take better care of myself. So, in this week before the biggest eating day all year, I am embarking on a plan to become more aware of what I eat. To physically WATCH what I eat. I am not going to limit myself. If I want a cookie, I get a cookie. One. Not two. I am going to consciously be aware of what I eat. 

Nate is going to his dad's for Thanksgiving this year. It's his fathers favorite holiday so I relent. I made a whole 11# turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, stuffing. The whole shebang!  (NOTE: This was before the Digestive appointment.) It was delicious. Nate enjoyed it. And we will be eating it until tonight.   In turn, I am going to go home to my sister's. She begged. So I said yes. I can't resist my niece. And my sister promised shopping. I love shopping with my sister.  

Happy Boy!

Thanksgiving just wouldn't the same if I didn't do a RACE! I usually sign up for the Turkey Trot in Miamisburg which is a 5-miler. But they changed the course and the swag was a crappy crew-neck sweatshirt. So I didn't sign up. Hey, at least I am honest about it. I had planned on doing a 5k here in V-Town at the Rec or even just going out on my own. But since I am heading home, why not do one with my Dad and Deb! So I signed up last night for a 5k with them! I will even get a shirt! Yay me! And then I looked at the weather. Crap. Cold. NE Ohio. Yay NOT me!  I will do it. It will be fun. It's only 3.1 miles. Easy peasy. HA! Wait for that update!

So, that's my ramblings. At least all that I can think of for now. I may be back later. 

I am going to try and run tonight. Or do the stairs inside the hospital.

Run. Strong.

-t-