Ten Miles and the Goose Incident

Today I set out on my marathon training walk with the goal in mind of walking twelve miles. Twelve miles consists of walking 6 times around Eric's parents' complex.  I walk there a) because I am so very bored of walking around my complex, one loop equaling only a half mile, and b) because there are sidewalks in their housing complex.  Sidewalks are, for some reason, a rarity in South Carolina so it's almost impossible to walk anywhere here without risking getting run over by a big rig truck, or a drunk driver.  

Anyway, I was on the first half of my 5th lap, when all of a sudden I see a commotion in the street.  There is a gaggle of geese, and a couple of cars stopped in the road.  I look, and I see a goose lying in the street.  I cannot tell if it's alive or dead- I didn't have my specs on, for distance.  By now I am thinking, "oh no," because if it's dead, I cannot walk around and look at a poor dead goose in the street, and if it's alive, I have to help it.  (I have been known to rescue animals, and I just cannot bear to have an animal suffer, no way around it, I just can't help but help them!!)

Well, thank goodness, the goose was alive, but injured.  Apparently a woman in a bright blue Mercedes was speeding, hit the goose, and just kept on speeding.  (poor goose!)  A woman had stopped, and there was a man in a work truck that was nice enough to move the goose to the side of the road.  The woman said she would call the DNR to see if they would come and pick up the goose.  The only problem with the DNR is that for sure they would euthanize the goose.  I told them I would try to call someone, too.  I called my vet because they run a program called the NOAH program which takes in injured animals, wildlife included, and try to rehabilitate them.  If they can't rehab them, they euthanize them, but at least they give it a try.  

I called my vet and they said they would be happy to take the poor goose, but the goose would have to get there first.  There lies the problem.  I was walking, and couple of miles from home. How on earth would I get this goose to the vet? I called everywhere!  The DNR, the environmental agency, some numbers to animal rescue places that the vet gave me, all to no avail.  Some people couldn't take birds, some people were out of town, the DNR had some gas mileage cap (?), another person couldn't get to the area until the next day.  I wasn't going to leave this poor goose to suffer until tomorrow.  I wouldn't be able to live with myself.  

Luckily a woman drove by, and slowed down.  She asked if the goose was hit, and I explained everything, and she said she had a dog crate that she could get.  Fabulous!  Shortly after the woman who went home to call the DNR came back,  she was waiting for them to call her back, but she wanted to check on the goose.  I explained to her what was going on, and then, the goose- droopy wing and limpy leg, started to walk in the street and then just stood there. There was no way that I was going to guard this goose, then let it get hit by another car.   So I had to play traffic cop for a little bit, then the woman with the crate came back!  And she came back in a pickup truck!  Now we just had to get the goose in the crate.  So, after some chasing and wrestling, we got the goose in the crate, and the nice woman took my new buddy, the goose to (hopefully) get fixed.  How nice.  I am so glad, because otherwise I would've had to wait for Eric to get back from school.

Phew! So, long story short, I only finished five laps today, on account of an incident with a goose.  

 *I honestly thought about taking a picture of the goose, but then I decided not to.  I didn't want to exploit the poor guy.  He had been through a lot.  :(

Oh No!

Uh oh, I ate ice cream. 

It wasn't really my fault, Eric made me do it.  We just got back from a walk and he wanted something cold.  Specifically, he wanted ice cream.  I said I would buy it for him, but he said he wouldn't eat any if I didn't.  What's a girl to do? I know he really, really, really, really wanted ice cream.  I felt bad, so I caved in! But I'm not happy about it, boy oh boy! I was doing so well with my sweet willpower, and I didn't want to eat something sweet unless I really HAD to have it!  

I guess I'll just have to start over, but I don't know what I'll do when I am in California!  After a marathon, or any kind of physical exertion, you have to restore your sugars, and electrolytes.  I guess in that case it would probably be a matter of life and death, and willpower just wouldn't matter.  I would have to eat sugar to save myself!

After the marathon, I'll see if I can make it to Halloween!!

Sweets, cont'd....

Okay, still no sweets. It's been like a thousand years, and I am tempted! I don't want to waste my no sweets on just any ol' sugar fix, so I am going to stick it out until something really fantastic is presented before me, and I just can't help but to eat it. No mere candy will do. I am not sure what it will take, though.
This is so great, I am forming new habits!

Marathon

Well, before I write about my training, I should probably write about what I am training for!
My auntie Mary Ann invited my mother, sister Andrea, and I, along with her daughters Koren and Elizabeth, and sisters Kathy and Joanne to participate in a marathon. The purpose being a personal challenge and some girl time. We are going to walk the marathon, and have a great time. Kathy and Joanne will be unable to make this marathon, but I have a feeling that this won't be the last! Maybe we'll run the next one!! Accompanying us on our marathon will be special guest star Emma Bradshaw, in her very first marathon, and my two fantabulous friends Monica and Toni. (Toni and I were going to try to rollerskate the marathon, but I don't think that's allowed!!)
We are going to walk the Long Beach Marathon on October 12*. After the marathon, we are going to chill out in my parents' Disneyland pool. (After we have some post-race beer. It aids in re-hydration, so we practically have to!)
I am very excited, and I think I am speaking for everyone involved. It's going to be so much fun! It might be painful fun, but it will still be fun!!
P.S. Still no pictures. I swear I will get better. I haven't taken my camera anywhere!!

*Bridget's Birthday!! Bridget will be in NYC having a blast! The only way I would have missed it was to do a marathon with my family, and that opportunity arose. :)

Seven Miles

Today, I began my marathon training. I know it's a little (very) late, but I will be prepared. I walked seven miles, this morning. It was fine, other that it being a little bit boring because there's nowhere to go here, but around and around. Also, my feet hurt a little, but Eric said it was because I was wearing the wrong socks. I need slippery, fancy marathon socks. Before I embark on my marathon, I will purchase some slippery socks, and also maybe a pair of compression tights/capris. Those will be to prevent chafing. I was chafe-free on my seven mile jaunt, but I don't know if I can remain so on a 26.2 mile journey. I think that would be pretty uncomfortable!
My plan is to go ten miles on Friday, as long as there is no rain. There's rain in the forecast, but so far, the rain has not come, this week. I am hoping that if it does rain, the rain will come after my walk.
Aside from being not-so-prepared as far as distance is concerned, I am otherwise amped, pumped and excited about our marathon.

Happy Fall!

Happy belated fall! Do you know what that means? It means that I get to start thinking of Halloween costumes for Eric and I. (Yes, I know that we are 32 and 30, but seriously, it's still important) I will think of some and post my ideas. Any ideas are welcome, also. I want to be Elvis and Priscilla, because that means that I can wear lots o' eyeliner, and tease my hair really BIG. Eric says 'nay'. I'll have to think of something good.
Fall also means that a lot of important people are having birthdays. (A lot of important people have also already had birthdays, this year, just the fall ones seem to be all clumped together.)
Fall means NO MORE HUMIDITY in the South. Well, less humidity! Less humidity also means better hair days. Fall also means that I get to open the windows in my house because it cools down just a smidge.
Fall also means crackly leaves, which are fabulous to step on. The air smells different in the fall, also. I like fall, except for the shorter days, but we have until November now, so everything's good.
There are many other good things about fall, but I can't think of any right now because it's making my mind wander to winter- and I DO NOT want to go there. Too cold. I would like to maintain my autumnal state of mind.
P.S. Sorry, still no pictures. I'm working on it.

Pictures

Okay, I know this blog is not so visually appealing. I guess I will have to step it up. I am going to start to carry my camera around- something I used to do all the time, but have seriously slacked since living you-know-where. I will try to post, fun, beautiful, relevant photos- maybe not all at the same time, but I will at least try to post some photos with my entries. I'm not so experienced at this blogging thing, and I really haven't figured out all of the options and gadgets with which to adorn my blog. So, gimme a little time, and my blog will be so fabulous that Martha Stewart will want to feature me on her program. Although I will not know it (read earlier post).
Good evening.

Sweets

Guess what? I still haven't had any sweets! It's been over 2 WEEKS!! That is crazy. I am the queen of will-power. I think it's carrying over into other aspects of my life. For example, I have been exercising pretty regularly! Although that could have something to do with the upcoming marathon that I am participating in....
...more to follow about the marathon in a later post.

A Cable-less Life

Eric and I are contemplating a life without cable T.V.. The main purpose being to cut costs in our semi-restricted, student-budget lifestyle. Another purpose would be to possibly free up some of our brain space. Instead of watching "What Not to Wear," (while I am studying sometimes- ha ha!) I could devote my time entirely to my (somewhat, for now!) academic endeavors. Also, instead of watching "Martha Stewart," (although I feel like that is an academic program) I could be working on my own crafting projects! When I am not studying, I could read books, like I used to love to do- before "How Do I Look," was created. I also feel that if we didn't have television in our lives, save for a Friday night movie night, Eric and I could converse instead of using up all of our brain-space to stare blankly at the screen.
I think the convenience of television in our super-busy lives , with school, work, and the whole-shebang, has made it easy to momentarily escape from the busyness. But, the ease of momentarily escaping has kinda led to some time-wasting. Before we know it, a couple of hours have passed, and nothing productive, or even fun, has been accomplished. Directly related: I have been a little bit counter-productive regarding my earlier post of "negativity into productivity." I have been makng an effort to be less negative, but I still fall into a T.V. induced stupor, every once in a while, when I really do have a lot of things that I would like to accomplish.
We'll see how Eric feels about the no-cable option. Even though we do become engrossed by the television, we are still not completely enslaved by it. But, when an option arises that gives one a choice to eliminate a constant creature comfort, no matter how really unimportant it is (we still have computers with internet access!!), there's a little apprehension about what we could be missing out on.
I'm still voting for no T.V.. We can rent movies, or go to the movies! We shall see what the outcome is. Look for upcoming posts about all of my crafty-projects, and books read.

Interview Update

Friday, Eric had his interview with a dental school.  Unfortunately, he won't find out the results until December.  I believe that this will probably be the longest 2 and a half months ever, for Eric.  He said that the interviewers were mostly ambiguous, so he really has no idea how well the interviews went.  I know that they went just fine.  He went to the interview very prepared (and looking smokin' hot in his new suit).  He's very well-spoken, articulate, and intelligent, so how could they not just love him?  

I will post updates to Eric's school happenings as soon as they come in! 

Nothing much else has really gone on this week, except for a lot of preparation for this interview.  Well, that and finally getting to feel human again, via waxing!!  

More, later! 

Ciao!

Hip hip hooray!

Today, my underarms were finally epilated.  Hallelujah, and thank goodness! Now, I can at least wear sleeveless tops in this sweltering humidity.  Legs will be Thursday.  The forecast looks like skirts and tank tops for the weekend.  (Phew!)

*I promise, at some point, there will be some semi-intelligent banter, but I have been waaaay preoccupied with hair! 

**Anyway, it's my blog and I can be silly and frivolous if I like. 

Toodles

What I'm Reading

When I have the time, I am reading John Adams, by David McCullough.
So far, even though I am not far into it, I like it. John Adams seemed to be a pretty nice guy. Inquisitive, open-minded, and thoughtful. I am looking forward to reading more of this book, in between skincare and eyebrows.
(Looking through the book at all of the portraits of the Adams family, I saw a painting of John Quincy Adams. He was pretty cute! I had no idea!) ;P

Restraint

So, I have decided to forgo eating sweets for a little bit. I usually tend to eat a little somethin' somethin' of the sweet variety, at least once a day. More often, I eat a little sweet snack more than once a day, so I am doing a little experiment. A practice in willpower, if you will. I have to say that not eating a sweet morsel, when what I really want to do is eat a sweet morsel, isn't all that easy. I am succeeding, though because today it's been a week! Yea!
I am hoping that the willpower it takes to not eat sweets will also lead to the willpower to not make any impulse/emotional-buying/frivolous-type-purchases! I think it's almost working, too! I did completely, absolutely NOT buy a houndstooth skirt the other day, when all I have really ever wanted to buy was a houndstooth skirt. (I think about it all the time, though!)
My iron willpower also, kind of worked, because I did accidentally pick up a couple of things at Anthropologie the other night, (Honestly, I couldn't help it because we were out buying a suit for Eric and Anthropologie was right across the street from Banana Republic, and I just had to walk in...) but- here's where the willpower kicks in- three of the items were on clearance, another was a sweater that I just loved, and I am going to return all but one shirt! Isn't that great? It was on clearance, too!! I am getting better. Well, I also am exchanging the sweater for a sweater on clearance, but I feel like that counts a little bit.
Maybe I'll just take everything back...
and go get that houndstooth skirt and an ice cream!
Updates to follow.

We Had a Visitor Last Night

Well, Hanna came to visit last night.  I thought she was going to have a big party outside, but she was pretty calm.  She didn't keep us awake, or anything! She even left without saying goodbye.  I hear she's headed up to New England, next.  Stay safe and dry! 

Ugh!

Still hairy...!!! 

We didn't have time to wax.  We had to go through the chapter, and then watch a video.  It took aaaaaall day.  I am very optimistic about Tuesday, though!

It's the Pits!!!

Tomorrow's the day! I am so excited! I can't wait! It's going to be the best day ever!!
Back story: I am in esthetician school. Part of esthetician school is learning how to wax. Part of learning how to wax is by waxing fellow students. Are you catching on? I am a fellow student. In order to wax, there has to be hair to wax. In order to have hair to wax YOU HAVE TO GROW IT! See what I'm sayin'?
All of the girls in school were instructed to, in the middle of August, begin growing hair that is normally epilated, shaved, waxed, tweezed, lasered, ripped out, or burned off. Hair that on males is so public, so "no big deal", but on females, at the very least, gets disgusted looks from strangers. It gets worse from there.
So, tomorrow, September 4, 2008, we are going to learn how to wax! Hip hip hooray!!
I think the hair-growing thing might not be as bad if it were January, or we lived in Alaska, but we do live in South Carolina, in the subtropics. (100% humidity!) It is definitely very unusual to see people wearing long pants and turtlenecks in the middle of August and beginning of September.
That's my story! Tomorrow should be a good day.

Turn that Frown Upside Down.

My new motto, creed, (whatever) is going to be "negativity into productivity." Instead of whining, "boo hoo, I'm bored," or, "it's too hot to run outside," or "I don't feel like going to a Civil War Re-enactment today," or (one more!) "I'm really not interested in getting a 12-pack of Busch and ridin' my bike up to SBB," I am going to be productive.
First, I am going to clean my closets, and get rid of some stuff; liberating! Then, I am going to make stuff; crafty! I am going to make all kinds of things, like pictures and presents, and cookies! Next, I am going to exercise(more); healthy! I am going to do yoga, and walk a marathon with my family, then I am going to (well, I WANT to!) run the half-marathon here in Myrtle Beach. I am also going to learn and research all kinds of stuff about skincare, and living healthy, and reducing my consumption of petro-chemicals, and all-kinds of stuff; fun, responsible!
Those are really just a few things that I am going to do. But since I am going to be more productive, it'll all get done.
You read it here first, folks. Now taking orders for craft items.
Cheers!

Interview with a ... Dentist??

BREAKING NEWS... Eric was called today for an interview at one of the dental schools that he has applied to. (Yay! woo hoo!) He has an interview next Friday. Luck, and good wishes his way, please! We'll be shopping for a new suit tomorrow. Looks like I might get that miniature cow, afterall!!