Am I a runner now?
During my last run, Thursday, I was contemplating this exact question. I used to see running as the third of a triathlon that I HAD to do to complete the event. I have always enjoying swimming and biking, but running....sometimes it feels like stabbing myself in the eye- or legs for that matter. It's something I need to suffer through because it's a GREAT workout and my heart rate stays constant at 155-170 the entire time which I can't accomplish doing anything else except P90X plyo. Although I love me some Tony Horton, you simply can't do that three times a week if you don't want to have injuries.
But, for the past couple weeks I've been pushing myself way out of my comfort zone and stepping OFF the treadmill for my runs and forcing myself to run outside. For runners this sentence makes no sense, because real runners prefer running outdoors leaps and bounds above the "dreadmill." But, I've clung to the treadmill for 2 years now because it gives me control. If you feel a recurring theme from my last post, it's not a coincidence. I am a control freak, I admit it. I like that on the treadmill you can set the speed, time, incline (or lack there of) and just go. You can just zone out to good tunes and I can even read my kindle while running on the treadmill which makes the dreaded time go that much faster.
But I had a moment last Sunday on the road where something major happened in my brain. I don't know how to describe it, but I could actually feel a change. I had just run 3 miles and was approaching my parents house to be done with my run. Let me first say that this was the first time in my life I had run 3 miles without walking at all on the road. I've completed 5ks but I always took walking breaks. I have done it once on a treadmill and felt like I was going to die when I finished- but again, only once.
I'm approaching the house and suddenly I don't want to stop, I want to keep running. After this fact seeped through my legs into my brain and I fully registered it I almost tripped I was so surprised. Not even 10 minutes ago I had to convince myself to finish the hill on 272, and now I was ready for more? Who is this person and what did she do to Colleen?
So, I did what any sane person would do- I kept running. I did another full mile before I realized I actually had plans so I had to get back home. O snap!!
And then...as if it wasn't a fluke at ALL but actually a shift, I ran again on Thursday and my "quick mile run" because I wasn't feeling very good but wanted to do something turned into another 4 mile jaunt that was only ended then because I was meeting Jen for dinner and needed to get clean. And it was a killer run- I took a different route that was all hills, including the Thankless Lane hills and 273 hills that are brutal and never end. The hill I was running on 273 isn't the steepest grade on 273 but it is so long, it's almost a mile of hill. Best part of the run- I got chased by a dog. Except not. Have you ever been chased by a snarling dog? He actually almost got me a few times. Lucky for me he was a little chubby guy that couldn't run very fast and had his owner yelling after him. After I lost the adrenaline from sprinting away from the dog it did make me laugh and feel like a real runner though. I have been chased by a dog, honked at by cars and a tractor trailer (that one really startled me), and actually ran because I wanted to- for the sheer joy of running.
A lot of changes this week, now if it will only show up on the scale....
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Who needs a gym?
So today I was all wrapped up in a big, lame excuse: I'm staying at my parents and therefore can't go to my gym. Not even a hotel gym.
I am a self proclaimed gym rat- I LOVE the gym. I particularly love the control of the gym. Temperature and weather control, plus all the fun toys that encourage my muscle soreness loving brain. All that said, the prospect of over 2 weeks away from access to not only MY gym but any gym has had me searching hopefully for another solution. Saturday I ran 4 miles which was awesome and the longest straight run I've ever done- zero walking! Then Sunday I horseback rode for 3 hours (if you don't think that's a workout you haven't ridden). So, I can enjoy workouts outside but now I need to work during normal working hours- butt early in the morning before work or after work.
I wasted at least 30 minutes of my life trying vainly to find a gym I could use this week...with no luck. I was feeling all blah and annoyed for my luck because I don't want my weight loss to get stalled.
Then I got my head out of my ass, looked at myself square in the mirror and told myself to get over it and figure out another way to work out. So, I dug my sister's elliptical out from behind stuff at my parents place where I had forgotten it was even there and did that for 30 minutes. And since I haven't done any strength training since Thursday (bad Colleen!), I did a 30 minute death by squats and lunges lower body strength training workout that was tougher on my legs than any machine.
Mission accomplished- Colleen can officially workout without a gym....although I still prefer it, DUH!!
I am a self proclaimed gym rat- I LOVE the gym. I particularly love the control of the gym. Temperature and weather control, plus all the fun toys that encourage my muscle soreness loving brain. All that said, the prospect of over 2 weeks away from access to not only MY gym but any gym has had me searching hopefully for another solution. Saturday I ran 4 miles which was awesome and the longest straight run I've ever done- zero walking! Then Sunday I horseback rode for 3 hours (if you don't think that's a workout you haven't ridden). So, I can enjoy workouts outside but now I need to work during normal working hours- butt early in the morning before work or after work.
I wasted at least 30 minutes of my life trying vainly to find a gym I could use this week...with no luck. I was feeling all blah and annoyed for my luck because I don't want my weight loss to get stalled.
Then I got my head out of my ass, looked at myself square in the mirror and told myself to get over it and figure out another way to work out. So, I dug my sister's elliptical out from behind stuff at my parents place where I had forgotten it was even there and did that for 30 minutes. And since I haven't done any strength training since Thursday (bad Colleen!), I did a 30 minute death by squats and lunges lower body strength training workout that was tougher on my legs than any machine.
Mission accomplished- Colleen can officially workout without a gym....although I still prefer it, DUH!!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I am hardcore!
I totally rocked the spin a thon today! While some people might think I was crazy (including myself leading into it) I'm so glad I took the challenge on and approached it with an attitude that only 100% would do.
Today was the YWCA's 1st annual spin a thon- 6 hours of spinning with some awesome instructors. It was 10-5 today- yeah that's 7 hours. There was 6 one hour spin classes with 10 minute breaks in between. The breaks definitely saved us, especially "the 3 muskateers" as Lisa dubbed us during the last class since there were only 3 people that did the entire 6 hours- Rick, Mary, and myself.
Overall, the day was better than I was expecting. Jen, the organizer, did a great job having a wide selection of snacks and plenty of water of course as well as leading her class, which was the second one. Each class was also really varied which broke it up nicely. The most amusing was Eric's- #3. He was one of only 2 spin instructors that I haven't taken and I can definitely see why people like him so much and his class is always over filled. He was hilarious and very encouraging throughout, but called a few people out that weren't pushing it. He called me out several times saying my form was perfect (holy red face) and was giving the 3 muskateers major props for committing to stick through all 6 classes. He said a lot of really nice and encouraging words that helped me get through the complete agony that occurred during class 4- Tammie. I take her Wednesday morning 6am class (love it!) so I knew what to expect- no mercy.
I was feeling really good till about half way through Tammie's class. That was when I realized that I really hadn't eaten enough (a couple bananas and orange slices) and my reserves were completed depleted. Through sheer will power and complete refusal to quit, I made it through Tammie's class and could barely get off the bike fast enough to get food afterwards. I have never felt such extreme and immediate relief after gulping down power gel- it was amazing.
So end result- I KILLED class 5, Betsy's. I've taken her before- a killer class with lots of sprints and standing runs (similar to Tammie). Class flew by because even though I could feel every single muscle in my legs, back, and glutes (holy pain!) in a beautifully painful way, I had the energy to push through it. There were a few new entrants also and they were all amazed by the fact that the 3 muskateers were still going. A little bit of pressure always makes me feel even stronger.
After class 5 I was stretching and went to do a quad stretch when my left knee screamed at me. Like screamed at the top of its lungs. I immediately dropped to the ground to stretch further and massage my knee. Miraculously the pain eased and I was able to stand and walk around with no pain after about 10 minutes. Thank goodness- I really wanted to finish, but I had already decided that I would stop if the pain didn't subside.
Class 6, Lisa, was fun as she is always full of bubbly energy, which is infectious. I will admit though that I was counting down the minutes until we were done and the last 5 minutes was pure and complete muscle exhaustion.
Adrian was awesome and supportive and came to cheer me on at the end- husband brownie points! :) All in all it was a great day and I'm proud of myself! :)
Today was the YWCA's 1st annual spin a thon- 6 hours of spinning with some awesome instructors. It was 10-5 today- yeah that's 7 hours. There was 6 one hour spin classes with 10 minute breaks in between. The breaks definitely saved us, especially "the 3 muskateers" as Lisa dubbed us during the last class since there were only 3 people that did the entire 6 hours- Rick, Mary, and myself.
Overall, the day was better than I was expecting. Jen, the organizer, did a great job having a wide selection of snacks and plenty of water of course as well as leading her class, which was the second one. Each class was also really varied which broke it up nicely. The most amusing was Eric's- #3. He was one of only 2 spin instructors that I haven't taken and I can definitely see why people like him so much and his class is always over filled. He was hilarious and very encouraging throughout, but called a few people out that weren't pushing it. He called me out several times saying my form was perfect (holy red face) and was giving the 3 muskateers major props for committing to stick through all 6 classes. He said a lot of really nice and encouraging words that helped me get through the complete agony that occurred during class 4- Tammie. I take her Wednesday morning 6am class (love it!) so I knew what to expect- no mercy.
I was feeling really good till about half way through Tammie's class. That was when I realized that I really hadn't eaten enough (a couple bananas and orange slices) and my reserves were completed depleted. Through sheer will power and complete refusal to quit, I made it through Tammie's class and could barely get off the bike fast enough to get food afterwards. I have never felt such extreme and immediate relief after gulping down power gel- it was amazing.
So end result- I KILLED class 5, Betsy's. I've taken her before- a killer class with lots of sprints and standing runs (similar to Tammie). Class flew by because even though I could feel every single muscle in my legs, back, and glutes (holy pain!) in a beautifully painful way, I had the energy to push through it. There were a few new entrants also and they were all amazed by the fact that the 3 muskateers were still going. A little bit of pressure always makes me feel even stronger.
After class 5 I was stretching and went to do a quad stretch when my left knee screamed at me. Like screamed at the top of its lungs. I immediately dropped to the ground to stretch further and massage my knee. Miraculously the pain eased and I was able to stand and walk around with no pain after about 10 minutes. Thank goodness- I really wanted to finish, but I had already decided that I would stop if the pain didn't subside.
Class 6, Lisa, was fun as she is always full of bubbly energy, which is infectious. I will admit though that I was counting down the minutes until we were done and the last 5 minutes was pure and complete muscle exhaustion.
Adrian was awesome and supportive and came to cheer me on at the end- husband brownie points! :) All in all it was a great day and I'm proud of myself! :)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
These meds hate me...or maybe they love me?
I couple weeks ago I was finally able to have an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to evaluate my tennis elbow. It got moved back several times because of the crappy first two weeks of this year.
After getting a TON of cortisone injected into my elbow (we are talking 5-6 ccs which is lot and HURT) he also gave me some other things to do (a specific stretch and this carpal tunnel brace to wear at night) and...dun dun dun....huge "hardcore" meds as he called it. My tummy didn't respond pretty much at all with the previous NSAID prescription, which he said is a good sign. The he said what my doctor has prescribed me just wasn't going to nip it in the bud considering how much pain I had and the extent of damage (yikes). He basically warned me that this medication would suck and that under NO exceptions should I ever take it on an empty stomach or even if I skipped a single meal in between. I instantly agreed to everything because he asked me straight out if I wanted to stop this pain quickly or slowly. Why wouldn't I want immediate gratification? ps- I like this Dr, he was very straight forward and kinda funny even though I've heard that some people don't like him.
So after less than a week after cortisone +medication my elbow pain went from a pain scale of 8 (on a scale of 1-10) to a 5 and now it's very low. HALLELUIAH!
The only problem...he was right about this darn NSAID. It makes my stomach feel terrible- at times actually causing me to double over in pain. This past weekend I had to skip a dose because I was drinking my calories in the form of shots not eating them (yeah, yeah I occasionally make bad decisions, but I am only human and need to cut loose sometimes :P In my defense though I worked them all off in the form of dancing). So, like a good patient I skipped a dose Saturday morning and another Sunday night because there wasn't enough time in between doses to take it with food. So since Monday I have been back on full swing normal schedule of twice a day.
It's like I am restarting the medication from scratch after finally feeling normal again. Yeargh!! I've eaten even better than I have in probably months- very light, only whole fresh ingredients and still, my stomach is killing. The one good thing about your stomach bothering you- you have no appetite. Despite the alcohol consumption Friday night, I lost 3.2 lbs this week! holy crapola!! As a source of update, I am now down 213 lbs! I am only 42 lbs away from my doctor goal!
I honestly can't believe I just wrote that- I am so close to goal I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Just last night I was in dress barn picking out some new shirts for my conference in Phoenix that I'm leaving for Monday morning. I fully broke down in the dressing room. It's hard to believe how far I have come when I was too big to fit into normal women's plus. Now I'm in a misses L, pant size 14! This totally blows my freaking mind that I am still overwhelmed by it. Now that goal of a size 10 isn't so far off- I will get there!
After getting a TON of cortisone injected into my elbow (we are talking 5-6 ccs which is lot and HURT) he also gave me some other things to do (a specific stretch and this carpal tunnel brace to wear at night) and...dun dun dun....huge "hardcore" meds as he called it. My tummy didn't respond pretty much at all with the previous NSAID prescription, which he said is a good sign. The he said what my doctor has prescribed me just wasn't going to nip it in the bud considering how much pain I had and the extent of damage (yikes). He basically warned me that this medication would suck and that under NO exceptions should I ever take it on an empty stomach or even if I skipped a single meal in between. I instantly agreed to everything because he asked me straight out if I wanted to stop this pain quickly or slowly. Why wouldn't I want immediate gratification? ps- I like this Dr, he was very straight forward and kinda funny even though I've heard that some people don't like him.
So after less than a week after cortisone +medication my elbow pain went from a pain scale of 8 (on a scale of 1-10) to a 5 and now it's very low. HALLELUIAH!
The only problem...he was right about this darn NSAID. It makes my stomach feel terrible- at times actually causing me to double over in pain. This past weekend I had to skip a dose because I was drinking my calories in the form of shots not eating them (yeah, yeah I occasionally make bad decisions, but I am only human and need to cut loose sometimes :P In my defense though I worked them all off in the form of dancing). So, like a good patient I skipped a dose Saturday morning and another Sunday night because there wasn't enough time in between doses to take it with food. So since Monday I have been back on full swing normal schedule of twice a day.
It's like I am restarting the medication from scratch after finally feeling normal again. Yeargh!! I've eaten even better than I have in probably months- very light, only whole fresh ingredients and still, my stomach is killing. The one good thing about your stomach bothering you- you have no appetite. Despite the alcohol consumption Friday night, I lost 3.2 lbs this week! holy crapola!! As a source of update, I am now down 213 lbs! I am only 42 lbs away from my doctor goal!
I honestly can't believe I just wrote that- I am so close to goal I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Just last night I was in dress barn picking out some new shirts for my conference in Phoenix that I'm leaving for Monday morning. I fully broke down in the dressing room. It's hard to believe how far I have come when I was too big to fit into normal women's plus. Now I'm in a misses L, pant size 14! This totally blows my freaking mind that I am still overwhelmed by it. Now that goal of a size 10 isn't so far off- I will get there!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Awesome weekend
What a totally awesome weekend! Saturday I burned a ton more calories than I ate, which should result in a good loss this week on the scale if I keep it up....or my body could hate me and hold onto like it does sometimes ;)
It snowed about 4 inches Friday night so I woke up to a text from Emily letting me know that the Y was opening 2 hours late- which was good since it took me about an hour to dig out my car. My elbows held out pretty well because I took it much slower and smaller shovels than I normally would and took breaks and stretched when my arms were getting tired. And don't get mad and ask why my hubby didn't do it- he would have if I had waited until he woke up to go to DE. I could have just walked to the gym and not shoveled (aka wasting 2 hours of my life doing nothing). But enter exhibit A- I hate feeling totally useless with this injury and B- I wanted to see if my elbow could handle a little lifting without over doing it. Given the fact that right now my arms feel fine, I don't think I did any further damage. I did ice both arms off and on for 2 hours on the way to DE so I'm not completely irresponsible ;)
So Saturday afternoon we met part of the usual group in Avondale for laser tag- part 1 of the 3 part Alex 30th birthday extravaganza. I didn't know what to expect going in but just in case, I wore work out clothes. I'm very glad I did cause it was a rip roaring, running, squatting and jumping good time! During the madness I slammed my shoulder into different walls at different times so I'm all bruised up on both arms like I got into a fight. Kinda amusing but a good reminder of a great time. :)
After a quick refresh and change at Miranda's we went to Macaroni Grill where a bunch of others joined in for the festivities and good food. Then we went to Trolly Square in Wilmington to our usual digs for drinking and dancing. I think there might even be a few awesome pictures taken on Jen's cell phone...have to be on the lookout for them. So two hours of dancing and only one drink- lots of more calories burned.
Saturday was one of those days that just wouldn't have been possible 2 years ago. Sometimes I just spontaneously break into a grin for no reason. Then I remember I have 209 reasons to break into a grin and I keep right on being happy :D
End result: sexy good time had by all. :)
It snowed about 4 inches Friday night so I woke up to a text from Emily letting me know that the Y was opening 2 hours late- which was good since it took me about an hour to dig out my car. My elbows held out pretty well because I took it much slower and smaller shovels than I normally would and took breaks and stretched when my arms were getting tired. And don't get mad and ask why my hubby didn't do it- he would have if I had waited until he woke up to go to DE. I could have just walked to the gym and not shoveled (aka wasting 2 hours of my life doing nothing). But enter exhibit A- I hate feeling totally useless with this injury and B- I wanted to see if my elbow could handle a little lifting without over doing it. Given the fact that right now my arms feel fine, I don't think I did any further damage. I did ice both arms off and on for 2 hours on the way to DE so I'm not completely irresponsible ;)
So Saturday afternoon we met part of the usual group in Avondale for laser tag- part 1 of the 3 part Alex 30th birthday extravaganza. I didn't know what to expect going in but just in case, I wore work out clothes. I'm very glad I did cause it was a rip roaring, running, squatting and jumping good time! During the madness I slammed my shoulder into different walls at different times so I'm all bruised up on both arms like I got into a fight. Kinda amusing but a good reminder of a great time. :)
After a quick refresh and change at Miranda's we went to Macaroni Grill where a bunch of others joined in for the festivities and good food. Then we went to Trolly Square in Wilmington to our usual digs for drinking and dancing. I think there might even be a few awesome pictures taken on Jen's cell phone...have to be on the lookout for them. So two hours of dancing and only one drink- lots of more calories burned.
Saturday was one of those days that just wouldn't have been possible 2 years ago. Sometimes I just spontaneously break into a grin for no reason. Then I remember I have 209 reasons to break into a grin and I keep right on being happy :D
End result: sexy good time had by all. :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
O to be "normal" sized
I had a totally awesome moment today in Kohl's when I was in the dressing room. An awesome moment while trying on clothes- I know crazy, right? I pulled about a dozen tops, trying to re infuse my work wardrobe with some different clothes and every single one I tried on (all XL of course) was too big. Let me just take a moment to absorb that again.
To somebody that has never struggled with always being plus size, you may not understand quite what it means to be able to shop in "normal" stores like everyone else. Since middle school I have been overweight. I was already shopping in the misses section when I was in middle school and half way through high school I was in the women's section- aka the dreaded "plus size." So when everyone else was in the juniors section wearing cute little shirts, I was already wearing clothes made for your mom. Not cool.
I can still remember this time I was in Kmart in early college looking for a bathing suit or something (plus size of course) when two young women passed by me and said under their breath (but definitely loud enough for me to hear it) : "Please just kill me if I am ever so fat that I have to wear clothes like that." I felt alternating waves of hatred and depression which resulted in me just leaving the store close to tears while trying to tell myself I didn't care what those women said.
But of course, I did care. Duh
So the end of the shopping trip at Kohl's today resulted in 3 really lovely fitted tops from Simply Vera Wang all in a size LARGE. I know that I am not out of XL forever because everyone has their different cuts and styles but just the fact that I can go shopping with my girl friends- in the same section, for the first time, makes me feel all giddy. :D
To somebody that has never struggled with always being plus size, you may not understand quite what it means to be able to shop in "normal" stores like everyone else. Since middle school I have been overweight. I was already shopping in the misses section when I was in middle school and half way through high school I was in the women's section- aka the dreaded "plus size." So when everyone else was in the juniors section wearing cute little shirts, I was already wearing clothes made for your mom. Not cool.
I can still remember this time I was in Kmart in early college looking for a bathing suit or something (plus size of course) when two young women passed by me and said under their breath (but definitely loud enough for me to hear it) : "Please just kill me if I am ever so fat that I have to wear clothes like that." I felt alternating waves of hatred and depression which resulted in me just leaving the store close to tears while trying to tell myself I didn't care what those women said.
But of course, I did care. Duh
So the end of the shopping trip at Kohl's today resulted in 3 really lovely fitted tops from Simply Vera Wang all in a size LARGE. I know that I am not out of XL forever because everyone has their different cuts and styles but just the fact that I can go shopping with my girl friends- in the same section, for the first time, makes me feel all giddy. :D
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Do you have a plan?
"A goal without a plan is just a wish"
Wow, what a powerful statement from this week's weight watcher weekly bulletin. So, have you set your new years resolutions yet? I know some people have given the increased numbers at the Y and weight watchers in the past couple weeks. Today it was packed at weight watchers, which I love seeing- I just hope people can stick with it.
And that's what is so hard for so many, and was so difficult for me until I gave up all my excuses, looked myself in the mirror and admitted that I needed help. Thank God for weight watchers and support I have received from it and my loved ones. But the reality is...I AM DOING THIS. Not weight watchers, or my friends and family, but ME. Just as the all wonderful Jennifer Hudson says- you have to Believe.
So, do you Believe? After my weigh in today... with a whopping 3.6 lb loss- I have to believe! I'm in shock that I had such a good week with so much other stress going on. On New Years day we lost a great man, my grandfather- Joe Mulrooney. So Adrian and I packed up and drove down to Louisville, KY to mourn his loss with my family. It was very difficult because not only was Joe a great man, but it seemed like I couldn't help but re-open the wound that my father's death has left on my heart. My uncle Rob and his wife Debbie were there which was comforting. Seeing uncle Rob always seems to transport me back in time to Christmases in Kentucky where I would be on Papa's knee and Rob would play with us and my cousins in the basement while the "boring adults" socialized upstairs. In my eyes he was always such a cool uncle because of the silly things that kids care about when they are 5- barbies and toys.
And of course, it was great to spend time with the Crush family (my Aunt Brigid and her family), they are always so warm, fun and loving. It was wonderful spending time with them last time we were in Kentucky to see my dad when his health was failing...it's just a shame that we usually spend time together during difficult times because they are so full of life and love. With family far away, sometimes that's just the reality of life. I love that I never feel pressured to eat extra around them like I often feel around other family members and even some friends, in fact I feel just the opposite. Their healthy life style makes me feel at ease and like I am in my own house- which showed on the scale this week despite fewer total workout days and some of the most delicious desert I have ever tasted (but in moderation). If you have never had Derby Pie you obviously haven't lived. Also, chocolate chip pumpkin bread is so delicious it might have been created by the devil himself- it was the only thing I really "splurged" on and enjoyed two slices with no guilt because it was 100% worth it.
But fate stepped in again to throw us a curve ball...after the funeral on Thursday and a relaxing afternoon with the Crushes and uncle Rob, Adrian got the hard news that his grandmother died.....just 4 days after we lost Papa. Talk about a bad start to 2012...
Sometimes life is just hard. But all you can do is pick up and keep going.
Wow, what a powerful statement from this week's weight watcher weekly bulletin. So, have you set your new years resolutions yet? I know some people have given the increased numbers at the Y and weight watchers in the past couple weeks. Today it was packed at weight watchers, which I love seeing- I just hope people can stick with it.
And that's what is so hard for so many, and was so difficult for me until I gave up all my excuses, looked myself in the mirror and admitted that I needed help. Thank God for weight watchers and support I have received from it and my loved ones. But the reality is...I AM DOING THIS. Not weight watchers, or my friends and family, but ME. Just as the all wonderful Jennifer Hudson says- you have to Believe.
So, do you Believe? After my weigh in today... with a whopping 3.6 lb loss- I have to believe! I'm in shock that I had such a good week with so much other stress going on. On New Years day we lost a great man, my grandfather- Joe Mulrooney. So Adrian and I packed up and drove down to Louisville, KY to mourn his loss with my family. It was very difficult because not only was Joe a great man, but it seemed like I couldn't help but re-open the wound that my father's death has left on my heart. My uncle Rob and his wife Debbie were there which was comforting. Seeing uncle Rob always seems to transport me back in time to Christmases in Kentucky where I would be on Papa's knee and Rob would play with us and my cousins in the basement while the "boring adults" socialized upstairs. In my eyes he was always such a cool uncle because of the silly things that kids care about when they are 5- barbies and toys.
And of course, it was great to spend time with the Crush family (my Aunt Brigid and her family), they are always so warm, fun and loving. It was wonderful spending time with them last time we were in Kentucky to see my dad when his health was failing...it's just a shame that we usually spend time together during difficult times because they are so full of life and love. With family far away, sometimes that's just the reality of life. I love that I never feel pressured to eat extra around them like I often feel around other family members and even some friends, in fact I feel just the opposite. Their healthy life style makes me feel at ease and like I am in my own house- which showed on the scale this week despite fewer total workout days and some of the most delicious desert I have ever tasted (but in moderation). If you have never had Derby Pie you obviously haven't lived. Also, chocolate chip pumpkin bread is so delicious it might have been created by the devil himself- it was the only thing I really "splurged" on and enjoyed two slices with no guilt because it was 100% worth it.
But fate stepped in again to throw us a curve ball...after the funeral on Thursday and a relaxing afternoon with the Crushes and uncle Rob, Adrian got the hard news that his grandmother died.....just 4 days after we lost Papa. Talk about a bad start to 2012...
Sometimes life is just hard. But all you can do is pick up and keep going.
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