Nice Fall Weekend

We had a really nice weekend this past weekend.  It was a beautiful fall weekend so we got to do a lot of things outside.

Saturday we went to a Medieval Faire at Waterloo Park.  It was nice and James has a good time.  There were a lot of games where James earned popsicle sticks that could be remdeemed for trading cards later on.  He loved it!  He got to storm the castle, fire a trebuchet and crossbow, and several other games.  We had lots of good snacks and watched knights fight.

Sunday we got up early and did the Terry Fox Run with the swim team.  James kept saying he was going to do the whole 10k.  When we got there, that changed.  We did do almost a 5k.  He had fun doing that.

After the Terry Fox Run, we went to Birtch Farms to pick apples.  We started going here 3 years ago and love this little farm.  The apples are always great and there is a lot of other things to do for James.  We picked Empires, Courtlands, McIntoshes,and Royal Galas.  James ate 5 apples while we were picking.  He actually picked some apples at the very end.  Several times he had an apple in each hand and was alternating bites. 

We were all really tired at the end of the weekend.  I'm so glad that fall is here and we are able to get out and enjoy the weather.

I'm not ready for this cold

I got up yesterday morning to go to practice and it was 47 degrees out.  This morning I got up 3 hours later than yesterday and it was 41 degrees out.  Right now my computer says its 37.  We went from hot and sweltering to here comes winter.  Where was my nice transition?  Where was my free energy?  You almost need the heat on.  Almost...I refuse to turn it on this early though.

I did get up and run this morning.  It's one of my fastest paces so far, but I felt like lead.  My legs just never seemed to loosen up and every time I picked my feet up they felt like bricks.  I don't know if its because I let myselft sleep until 7 instead of getting up at 6:15 or if yesterday just really drained me.  I know I don't like running at 7:30.  Too many people and too many cars.  I like the nice quiet early mornings.  I like watching the rabbits and being alone with myself.  I don't like dodging cars and people.

Tomorrow I'll get up at my normal time and head out again.  I want to try to run longer tomorrow.  Today was just one of those run and get it marked off your list days.  Tomorrow will be better.

Yesterday I picked up the framed Star Wars sampler.  It looks amazing!!!!!!  The frame makes it look even better.  I got the Care Bear framed the other day as well.  It looks really good too.  It's amazing how a frame can really make something just pop.  For the purple Care Bear I did I got a shiney pink frame and it really looks good with the purple.

 With the rose Care Bear I found a shiney green frame that looks really cool.

Finally the Star Wars sampler framed.

I'm still waiting on the Aida cloth for the next Star Wars and the last Care Bear.  In the meantime I'm working on some tea towels.  They are quick and keep me busy.  I'm really itching to get the next Star Wars started though.

Off to get the rest of my day started!  Tomorrow a longer run and up at the right time.

Back in the swing of things

Last week was crazy!  School started for James.  Swimming started for me.  Time just slipped away from me.

I didn't get any runs in last week and I could tell.  I was grumpy and sluggish the whole week.  I got up today and ran.  It felt good.  With each step I could feel my mood getting better.  I ran with the radio on and it seemed like I wasn't running at all.  I love the morning talk shows.  I need to get my iTunes moved to this computer so I can download some podcasts to listen to.  I'm thinking I need to download the Sports Junkies since I miss them so much.  The talking makes me feel like I'm having a conversation and it makes the time go faster.  Music is okay, but I have found I run better with talking.

Swimming is back in full swing.  Last week was good.  Getting them back in the routine.  I have a wide range, but it will be fun.  It's a good group and I enjoy them.

James loves school.  His first week went great.  He loves his teacher and his classmates.  He told Aunt Kristie that he only learned a tiny bit though.  He's so funny about that.  This coming weekend we are going to a Renaissance Faire at a local park on Saturday.  I think he'll enjoy that.  On Sunday we are doing the Terry Fox run with the swim team and then going apple picking. Birtch Farms is where we do our picking and they are having their apple festival this weekend.  It's a great place.  They have lots of stuff to do for the kids and a corn maze.  This will be our 3rd year going here and we love it.

Yesterdy I finished Sylvie's Care Bear.  It looks really cute.  I have to get it framed yet and I'm doing that on Thursday since I don't have swimming that day.  Here is the finished product.

I am starting on another Star Wars project as soon as the black cloth I ordered comes in.  I have 2 more to stitch and then my neices and nephews are done.  Right now I'm working on some holiday tea towels to kill time.  I can't even do James' betta fish as the pattern has come in yet.  That's all right.  I'll get a start on these towels.

Mike is in Pennsylvania again this week.  He's spending more time in the States then I am.  This flight was fairly uneventful he said.  I'm glad because the last time he was there it was quite the adventure.

Everything is clicking right along.  Tomorrow is my long day and then I have Thursday off.  Gearing up for a busy weekend and then another really busy week.  At least it keeps me off the streets!

First Day of First Grade

James has been so ready for the first day of school.  All weekend the excitement has been building.  It didn't make it any easier that it was raining and we didn't get out to do much.

Yesterday he woke up and asked how much longer to bedtime so that he could go to sleep and have it be time for school.  He was bouncing off the walls all day long.

This morning he woke up at 7am which would be okay except that daycare is closed so we didn't have to leave for school until 8:15 since he and Mike were walking.  He was ready to go by 7:15 and was really wound up.  He was bouncing all around the house.  I finally had to say lets work on your scrapbook to help pass the time.  That helped a lot.

He and Mike walked to school today so they left at 8:15.  I drove over a little later so that Mike had a ride back so he could leave for work.  When we got to school he still had to wait a few minutes, but he was with all the kids so it was okay.

When he got to his classroom he gave us a big hug and disappeared.  He is so ready to be in the first grade.  He is excited and loves school.  I think last night was worse than Christmas Eve as far as excitement.  I can't wait to hear how his first day went.

I got out there this morning

I had to really force myself out this morning.  I got up and tried to talk myself out of running,  but I didn't.  I kept reminding myself that tomorrow I could go for a long walk since it's my off not a running workout day.

I did an interval run today.  I did a nice warm up run for about 5 minutes then I did 5 rounds of 30 seconds sprint/2 minutes recovery run.  I pushed myself on the sprints and I thought I did well.  The recovery runs got slower as I went through this set.  During my cool down run I walked the last 3 minutes.  I wasn't happy about that, but it is what it is.  I got out when I didn't want too and I ran.  I felt okay.  It was cool and started to rain at the end of my run.  I ended up running just over 2 miles in 25 minutes so I felt pretty good about that.

Tomorrow I will take a long walk with the dogs in the morning.  Tuesday I have another hard run.  I will do cruise intervals instead of sprint intervals.  I will do 5 rounds of cruise for 2 minutes with a 3 minute recover run between each.  Wednesday is my rest day and I believe Thursday is my long run.  I'm going to be ready for this zoo run no matter what.  I want to run a best time since I don't think I'll be running anywhere close to 30 minutes.  I just have to adjust my goals and know that I will get that 30 minute mark sooner than I think.

Yesterday I did register for 2 more races.  I officially registered for the Resolution Run on January 1st.  I enjoyed that run last year and I believe its the same course so I want to run faster than I did last year.  I believe my time was around a 36 so I think I can do it.

I also registered for the St. Patrick's run in Hamilton.  The last 2k of this race is straight downhill.  It killed me but it was fun.  I ran 34:04 last year so I would like to run faster next year.  I will be gearing up to start my 10k training at the point so hopefully I'll be in good shape.

Yes, I want to run a 10k next year.  I'm trying to decide if I want the Choclate Race or the Zoo run to be my first one  I'm leaning towards the chocolate race, but we'll see.

I'm excited about running again and I'm hoping that by my starting back into it on a more consistent basis that I will feel better about myself.  I"ve been feeling like a blob and I can tell the difference.  I want to get back on track so that I like to be in my skin.  Two days in and I'm already feeling better.

Happy Long Weekend!!!!!

Well, the last weekend of summer vacation is here.  James is excited to start school on Tuesday and I'm excited to get back to swimming as well.  I have some work to do this weekend that I've been putting off, but that will have to happen tomorrow and Monday.

We decided on a name for our new betta.  Her name is Simona.  She loves her new home and is often found zipping around her tank.   She loves the blood worm treats that Simon didn't care for and she will come up to the tank to talk to you when you are looking at her.  James loves his new friend.

I am trying a new running schedule.  I have 21 days until the zoo run and I need some major training.  I got up and went for short run today.  Tomorrow I will push myself doing some interval running.  Monday it's an off day for running, but will go for a long walk.  Tuesday I'm out for a long run of at least 40 minutes.  Wednesday is a rest day.  I have to look to see beyond that.  I'm really trying to get myself back on a schedule.  I want to run outside this winter as well.  I've already signed up for the Resolution Run on January 1st.  I don't know that I can get lucky 2 years in a row with warm weather.  I also registered for the Slainte St. Patrick's Day 5k.  This is the race that the last 2k are straight downhill.

Last night I finished the Star Wars sampler for my nephew Chi.  It turned out really well.  I have to get a frame for it today, but it looks so cool!  I'm thinking of getting the villian samler so I can maybe make stitch an afghan with the Star Wars characters on it.  That would be really cool!

Here is a picture of the finished sampler.

I'm now working on another Care Bear for my neice Sylvie.  I have another Star Wars one to stitch and it will be cool!

Well, off to enjoy the weekend!  I hope you all have a safe and restful holiday!

RIP Simon

This morning I went into James' room to wake him up and saw Simon floating belly up.  I had to tell James and he was heartbroken.  We got Simon last October because James was begging for a fish tank. We thought it would be a good way for him to learn responsibility.

He loved Simon.  He would read to Simon at night.  He sang to him all the time.  You could hear James often just talking to Simon about everything.  So to have to bury Simon at sea was tough.  He cried, but he was trying not too.  He said that Simon was the best fish ever.

James then asked if he had to go to daycare today.  Luckily due to a strike, daycare was closed so he got to stay home with me.  He got dressed in blue clothes because that was how he felt today.  He asked me if I could cross stitch a picture of Simon for his wall.  I said I would and hopped online to find a pattern.  James will help me pick the colors so that they match Simon's.

We went to the Market and got the stuff to make pickles.  He kept talking about Simon and how GQ was now watching him at the Rainbow Bridge.  He then asked if he could maybe get another betta fish this weekend.

Later today we were sitting in the living room and he asked if we could go look at fish because his room seemed empty.  So off we went to Petsmart.  He looked at all sorts of fish, but decided on a female betta.  We got new rocks and a new decoration for the tank as well.  We got it all set up and are now just waiting for the water to reach room temperature before we put her in the tank.

He is trying to decide on her name.  A few of the choices are Simone, Belle, or Dream Drop.  He sat in his room and told her all about Simon and what a great fish he was.  He then told her about himself and the other animals.

Today was a tough day, but he got through it.  I was so touched by how much he truly loved Simon and how he is working through his grief.  He made me cry several times today by what he has said or done.  Simon will be missed, but we welcome our new betta with open arms.