There is a really great site Walk Across America that I found that measures how far across America you run/walk/cycle. It has photos of exactly where in the US you have made it to. You can set weekly goals in miles or kilometers for yourself. Did I mention that it is free?
Today, I signed up. I set my goals low for now. I plan to walk and bike, as running is a bit out of reach for now. I am really hoping that this encourages me to exercise. Well, this and getting the bike out of storage and tuned up for the spring!
Do yourself a favor, give this transcontinental virtual trip a try, you may like it!
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Life Lesson from a Tune-up
A week ago I dropped off my husband's bike and my own bike off for a major tune up. Who knew that bikes sitting in storage for a few years get flat tires, wheels out of true, and more? Obviously not me...
Friday, I had my oldest drop off my (still-sick) husband and me at the shop so that we could pick them up. Then, she ran home for our two younger daughters. She loaded up their bikes, dropped them off, and headed to work.
Okay... I had not been on a bike for several years, and was really nervous about how it would go. The last time I tried bike riding was several years ago, and found it was very hard to stay balanced and upright as I wobbled all over the place.
We all rode home from the store. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for bike riding! I had forgotten how wonderfully free I feel on a bike. I didn't fall. I didn't even wobble. It was a miracle!!! I discovered that my bike is in better shape now than when I bought it, thanks to a tune up!
It made me think... What else in my life do I not do because I am afraid, or think it is or will be too difficult? What am I putting off?
When we owned our first home, there were things that I wanted to do to make it better, that I put off thinking that it was too expensive, or that I didn't know how to fix just right.
When we prepared to sell that home, I pulled up the carpet that I had hated from day one, and found gorgeous hardwood floors stained perfectly, and ready to go; I learned to drywall and more.
Our total fix ups cost so little, that it was almost embarassing that we had gone so long without attempting any of them previously.
Life lesson: Sometimes we need to get past our barriers and do what we have put off.
Friday, I had my oldest drop off my (still-sick) husband and me at the shop so that we could pick them up. Then, she ran home for our two younger daughters. She loaded up their bikes, dropped them off, and headed to work.
Okay... I had not been on a bike for several years, and was really nervous about how it would go. The last time I tried bike riding was several years ago, and found it was very hard to stay balanced and upright as I wobbled all over the place.
We all rode home from the store. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for bike riding! I had forgotten how wonderfully free I feel on a bike. I didn't fall. I didn't even wobble. It was a miracle!!! I discovered that my bike is in better shape now than when I bought it, thanks to a tune up!
It made me think... What else in my life do I not do because I am afraid, or think it is or will be too difficult? What am I putting off?
When we owned our first home, there were things that I wanted to do to make it better, that I put off thinking that it was too expensive, or that I didn't know how to fix just right.
When we prepared to sell that home, I pulled up the carpet that I had hated from day one, and found gorgeous hardwood floors stained perfectly, and ready to go; I learned to drywall and more.
Our total fix ups cost so little, that it was almost embarassing that we had gone so long without attempting any of them previously.
Life lesson: Sometimes we need to get past our barriers and do what we have put off.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Girl Time and More
I am so excited for tomorrow morning! Well, mostly excited.
I can't wait to drop the kids off at school and meet up with some friends for breakfast! It has been way too long since I've "gone out with the girls" if you don't count my cooking class/luncheon last week.
The part that I am not super excited about is my doctor appointment afterward. Really? I have to be weighed again? I know, with ulcerative colitis it comes with the territory. It's a bit sad though, that most people with this disease have to try to gain weight, and I have to try to lose it. Soooo not fair!!! My GI (gastroenterologist) and I will try to come up with some sort of a game plan for how to deal with this disease from here without my wonder drug.
Then, SuperNurse (who is still sick, I might add) and I are going to the hospital to set up for the World Kidney Day Celebration. It needs to be memorable, it needs to raise awareness.
He and I brainstormed, and came up with a strange, funny, but seriously great plan:
1. We got a bakery to make cutout sugar cookies shaped like kidneys (I had to search for the cookie cutters). People acted funny when I asked if they had any kidney-shaped cookie cutters.
My oldest, Swimmergirl, suggested that it might sound nicer if I asked for jellybean-shaped. I did, and the salesperson asked, "You mean like a kidney shape?" That was so hysterical!!!
So, cookies with red icing ordered.
2. Apple juice (Looks like urine. Nasty, but funny, right?)
3. Centerpiece is a urinal filled with daffodils... get it? He thought that one up himself. Clever man.
4. A jar of jellybeans that people guess the number of beans, and winner gets the jar.
It goes on, but those give you a taste of what it is like.
Overall, it should be an interesting day! I am really looking forward to the girl time and breakfast out.
I can't wait to drop the kids off at school and meet up with some friends for breakfast! It has been way too long since I've "gone out with the girls" if you don't count my cooking class/luncheon last week.
The part that I am not super excited about is my doctor appointment afterward. Really? I have to be weighed again? I know, with ulcerative colitis it comes with the territory. It's a bit sad though, that most people with this disease have to try to gain weight, and I have to try to lose it. Soooo not fair!!! My GI (gastroenterologist) and I will try to come up with some sort of a game plan for how to deal with this disease from here without my wonder drug.
Then, SuperNurse (who is still sick, I might add) and I are going to the hospital to set up for the World Kidney Day Celebration. It needs to be memorable, it needs to raise awareness.
He and I brainstormed, and came up with a strange, funny, but seriously great plan:
1. We got a bakery to make cutout sugar cookies shaped like kidneys (I had to search for the cookie cutters). People acted funny when I asked if they had any kidney-shaped cookie cutters.
My oldest, Swimmergirl, suggested that it might sound nicer if I asked for jellybean-shaped. I did, and the salesperson asked, "You mean like a kidney shape?" That was so hysterical!!!
So, cookies with red icing ordered.
2. Apple juice (Looks like urine. Nasty, but funny, right?)
3. Centerpiece is a urinal filled with daffodils... get it? He thought that one up himself. Clever man.
4. A jar of jellybeans that people guess the number of beans, and winner gets the jar.
It goes on, but those give you a taste of what it is like.
Overall, it should be an interesting day! I am really looking forward to the girl time and breakfast out.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Turkey Noodle Soup
I had planned on making turkey soup tonight. The rain and a sick husband made it seem more well-planned than it really was!
I have been slowly trying to clean out the freezer, so earlier I pulled out turkey that has been sitting in my freezer since Christmas. Hopefully turkey lasts that long frozen. It looked good, it tasted good, and I'm pretty sure that it will last 2 months frozen. Crossing my fingers here!
I make a lot of food well, but homemade chicken or turkey soup really isn't my thing. It all comes down to the seasoning. I've tried many recipes, but nothing seems quite right. I was in a hurry, and had a creative brainstorm to season this soup with something from my pantry.
Can you guess?
Tonight I threw caution to the wind and tossed this soup on the stove in record time. Here is what I did:
Turkey Soup In a Flash
Last Christmas: I boiled the turkey carcass, and pulled meat off the bone. I added in the extra meat that we didn't eat and weren't saving for sandwiches). Mine filled a 9x13 pan in the freezer. Approximately 3 qts.
Turkey and Stock
2 large onions, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup frozen peas (all that were left in the bag)
1 cup broccoli stems, chopped (I saved them from broccoli we ate recently)
1 package Pasta Roni Creamy Parmesan
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp pepper
Thaw the turkey, and put into a large pot on Medium-High Heat.
Sautee the onions in a little oil, and then add to the pot.
Add the celery, carrots, peas and broccoli.
Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for half an hour.
Toss in the pasta and seasonings from the Pasta Roni, as well as the bouillon cubes and pepper.
Cook 12 minutes and then serve.
It was delish!
Pasta Roni? That was my crazy brainstorm, and it worked! I hope that you will enjoy it too.
ps. I should add that this soup made enough for a hungry family of five dinner two nights in a row, and that my teen athlete took a ton for school lunch.
There is a microwave at their school for that very purpose. How cool is that?!
I have been slowly trying to clean out the freezer, so earlier I pulled out turkey that has been sitting in my freezer since Christmas. Hopefully turkey lasts that long frozen. It looked good, it tasted good, and I'm pretty sure that it will last 2 months frozen. Crossing my fingers here!
I make a lot of food well, but homemade chicken or turkey soup really isn't my thing. It all comes down to the seasoning. I've tried many recipes, but nothing seems quite right. I was in a hurry, and had a creative brainstorm to season this soup with something from my pantry.
Can you guess?
Tonight I threw caution to the wind and tossed this soup on the stove in record time. Here is what I did:
Turkey Soup In a Flash
Last Christmas: I boiled the turkey carcass, and pulled meat off the bone. I added in the extra meat that we didn't eat and weren't saving for sandwiches). Mine filled a 9x13 pan in the freezer. Approximately 3 qts.
Turkey and Stock
2 large onions, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup frozen peas (all that were left in the bag)
1 cup broccoli stems, chopped (I saved them from broccoli we ate recently)
1 package Pasta Roni Creamy Parmesan
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp pepper
Thaw the turkey, and put into a large pot on Medium-High Heat.
Sautee the onions in a little oil, and then add to the pot.
Add the celery, carrots, peas and broccoli.
Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for half an hour.
Toss in the pasta and seasonings from the Pasta Roni, as well as the bouillon cubes and pepper.
Cook 12 minutes and then serve.
It was delish!
ps. I should add that this soup made enough for a hungry family of five dinner two nights in a row, and that my teen athlete took a ton for school lunch.
There is a microwave at their school for that very purpose. How cool is that?!
A Must Read
No, I am totally not a morning person, although I am surrounded by family and friends who are.
I have been up all night because my sweet husband, SuperNurse, is sick. He has a fever that is making my bed WAY too hot to sleep in, even for me.
I am the one who steals his covers every night, and slides my cold feet onto his legs.
I said he was sweet, and it is true.
Not once has he ever even shuddered or screamed (I totally would), let alone made a peep, when I do that.
I confess, I do this nightly.
In fact, sometimes he will cool himself down with my feet! A match made in heaven. :)
So, being awake all night, I made my blog a bit more "cool," I hope that you like it. And... Yes Swimmergirl, I do realize that saying 'cool' does not make me cool. Maybe I should say 'sick' or 'legit?' Obviously I need to stick with my out-of-date terms here!
I also read one of Bookworm's (my middle daughter) library books and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down. Yes, I like to and will read anything!
What is the book? I'm getting to it... It is "The Green Glass Sea" by Ellen Klages. You can even read an excerpt if you scroll down her page.
It is the story of a girl whose father works on a secret project as a scientist for the government during WWII. It is wonderfully written, and the author has won so many awards, that I don't know where to start.
Let me know what you think of this book!
I have been up all night because my sweet husband, SuperNurse, is sick. He has a fever that is making my bed WAY too hot to sleep in, even for me.
I am the one who steals his covers every night, and slides my cold feet onto his legs.
I said he was sweet, and it is true.
Not once has he ever even shuddered or screamed (I totally would), let alone made a peep, when I do that.
I confess, I do this nightly.
In fact, sometimes he will cool himself down with my feet! A match made in heaven. :)
So, being awake all night, I made my blog a bit more "cool," I hope that you like it. And... Yes Swimmergirl, I do realize that saying 'cool' does not make me cool. Maybe I should say 'sick' or 'legit?' Obviously I need to stick with my out-of-date terms here!
I also read one of Bookworm's (my middle daughter) library books and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down. Yes, I like to and will read anything!
What is the book? I'm getting to it... It is "The Green Glass Sea" by Ellen Klages. You can even read an excerpt if you scroll down her page.
It is the story of a girl whose father works on a secret project as a scientist for the government during WWII. It is wonderfully written, and the author has won so many awards, that I don't know where to start.
Let me know what you think of this book!
Monday, March 8, 2010
First Blog Ever!!!
So, here I am as a very official First Time Blogger... wish me luck!
I had so many ideas about what this could be about, but ultimately, I decided that it should be about me trying to rediscover myself.
I have three girls, and I'm a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), and have been for over 17 years.
My kids are all in school, and my husband (SuperNurse) works a lot. Thus, lots of time for me home alone. I always laugh at that... Okay, more time than I used to have, but really? Why do people assume that?
So... when I first had all of my kids in school, I was really sick for a long time. I have Ulcerative Colitis, which is a really crappy disease (pun intended). If you don't know what it is, you aren't the only one. After all, who likes to talk about poop? I may include a few links later on about it, or you could look it up yourself!
That's what mom's say, isn't it? Haha :) (I had to throw in the haha for my teenager, Swimmergirl. I swear she won't understand your text unless it has a good half-dozen of those babies thrown into it)!
Now, I am much healthier (thank you Remicade, my wonder drug that I can no longer take).Being healthier, I can now find myself again!!!
When you no longer know who you are, I think that you should remember who you were originally. I remember loving cooking, throwing parties, reading (did a lot of reading while sick), hiking (bring on the summer already!), crafting, sewing, and things like that.
So, that is where I began. Take last week, for example.
I have a fairly new friend WonderChef, who is from Malaysia. She let me plan a little cooking class with a few mutual friends, at her house! That's how you know she will be a great friend! She taught us how to make authentic Chinese Spring Rolls and Fried Rice. Ohhh, it was so yummy!
I really should have taken pictures then, so that I could post them, but I had no clue that I'd start blogging today. So, pictures will have to wait. I will include her recipe AFTER I make it. I am going to wait on the recipe too, because she kind of threw things into her wok, as I furiously scribbled what I thought were the amounts she used. I would like to make it first to see if I actually wrote it down correctly!
And, out comes the perfectionist in me!
I had so many ideas about what this could be about, but ultimately, I decided that it should be about me trying to rediscover myself.
I have three girls, and I'm a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), and have been for over 17 years.
My kids are all in school, and my husband (SuperNurse) works a lot. Thus, lots of time for me home alone. I always laugh at that... Okay, more time than I used to have, but really? Why do people assume that?
So... when I first had all of my kids in school, I was really sick for a long time. I have Ulcerative Colitis, which is a really crappy disease (pun intended). If you don't know what it is, you aren't the only one. After all, who likes to talk about poop? I may include a few links later on about it, or you could look it up yourself!
That's what mom's say, isn't it? Haha :) (I had to throw in the haha for my teenager, Swimmergirl. I swear she won't understand your text unless it has a good half-dozen of those babies thrown into it)!
Now, I am much healthier (thank you Remicade, my wonder drug that I can no longer take).
When you no longer know who you are, I think that you should remember who you were originally. I remember loving cooking, throwing parties, reading (did a lot of reading while sick), hiking (bring on the summer already!), crafting, sewing, and things like that.
So, that is where I began. Take last week, for example.
I have a fairly new friend WonderChef, who is from Malaysia. She let me plan a little cooking class with a few mutual friends, at her house! That's how you know she will be a great friend! She taught us how to make authentic Chinese Spring Rolls and Fried Rice. Ohhh, it was so yummy!
I really should have taken pictures then, so that I could post them, but I had no clue that I'd start blogging today. So, pictures will have to wait. I will include her recipe AFTER I make it. I am going to wait on the recipe too, because she kind of threw things into her wok, as I furiously scribbled what I thought were the amounts she used. I would like to make it first to see if I actually wrote it down correctly!
And, out comes the perfectionist in me!
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