I don't even know where to begin...
We visited my Gram on Sunday. As we came in the door, I asked her how she was feeling. "terrible! I just got out of the hospital this morning!" How did I miss that? She had fallen on Friday, catching her leg on the side of the coffee table. Sunday morning, she woke up with a puddle of blood and masses of bruising, so she went to the hospital. They gave her some suture tape and bound it with gauze. Getting home was the tricky part, she couldn't get ahold of her "driver," and she insisted on not bothering me... Makes me so mad! What else am I good for, if not a ride home from the hospital? It was a great visits despite the mishap. She is always delightful and getting her to discuss her health is next to impossible. We doted on her, extra.
Dad flew to Portland last Thursday. He had some paperwork in Washington to take care of that he somehow missed over Christmas. Important enough to get him to fly home... JE and I have been relishing our time alone at home together. I never really thought about how much our ability to walk around in our altogethers meant, until we altogether lost it. That man is two seconds from making me crazy. We are working on getting him into his own apartment when he returns. I am not a golden goose, nor can I ever be a golden goose. Two seconds...
Why do I do this to myself? I max myself out with stress, then find a few more things to do to add to it. I've enrolled in another class. This one is photography. When I was trying to enroll in my pattern making class, I had gone to the classroom on the wrong day of the week. I stood outside the class, trying to figure out what class was in the room next door. After a while, I sat in on the first day of photography 50. There were several people there, trying to add the class as well. Over the next week, I gave up trying to add. The professor emailed me and let me know there was a space, if I wanted it. Long story longer, I wrote told him no, but could't stop thinking about the class. On the way to Gram's on Sunday, I finally figured out that not only had that class gotten my brain working creatively; but learning Adobe's Lightroom could prove invaluable as I work toward another personal goal (I want to make more money). So I contacted the instructor and got into the class.
Physically: Yesterday, I yoga-ed. I'm trying to give my body a little respect, listen a little closer, and be a little gentler. Stretching seems to help, so I do that.
Tonight, I'm feeling like I wish I'd run today. But cycling 15 miles is still better than nothing.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Red Flags
Life is too short to eat bad, overpriced Chinese food. On my commute home each night, there is the scent of hot garlic and good Chinese food permeating the air through one section of trail along the river. I've often thought to sniff out the pervayor of this amazing smell, but am usually trying to race the light at the end of the day. So, tonight, when JE asked if I wanted to go out for dinner, and asked where I would like to go, I asked to go adventuring and find this place. I don't believe we found it. I can't believe we found it. We must have been on the wrong side of the river! The only Chinese food place we found was a place filled with Caucasians. Perhaps I'm a bigot for saying this, but generally a truly decent Asian restaurant isn't filled with fair haired people. When we walked in and looked at the menu, prices were far more than our usual haunts on Jeffery and Walnut, or near Hmart. Skip that. We tried the new pho place around the corner. But I'm still determined to seek out who really makes that unbelievable smelling food. JE thinks its probably coming from a house in the neighborhood. Sad...
We ran today. Before we left the house this morning, I knew it would be a challenging run. I'd hoped to achieve another thirteen miles and to feel more comfortable with it than I did last week. However, several times during the night, I awoke witha deep muscular pain in my right hip. Stretching and massage over the foam roller were helpful, and so I figured I'd at least try for my 13 mile goal.
The weather report had set a red flag warning about the winds for today. Hot dry weather with gusts up to 20-30 mph was to be expected. On the trail, the Santa Ana's were hurling debris and branches at us. We ran the first half of our run into the wind.
The trail runs next to a river, also, and continues into a wooded area, closed to traffic. It's really beautiful, with the sycamores just starting to get buds, and a few eucs in bloom. The herons and egrets are all dressed in their mating plumage, with mohawks and ruffs at their necks. These are the things I see. These are the things I try to notice to take my thoughts off the pain in my hip and ankle. It sort of worked. That magical mile: 9.5, had me over and out; I was hurting. JE brought a giant ibuprofen for me, which I took as soon as I had water. We walked the rest of the way to the car.
A doctor visit is in order. Again. Hopefully, this time I can get some solid answers and maybe some physical therapy instead of a muscle relaxing pill. Not a fan of The flexeril hangover. But we just changed from kaiser permanente to a PPO, so I need to find a doc, first. Good grief. And speaking of red flags, shouldn't the name kaiser permanente be warning enough?
We ran today. Before we left the house this morning, I knew it would be a challenging run. I'd hoped to achieve another thirteen miles and to feel more comfortable with it than I did last week. However, several times during the night, I awoke witha deep muscular pain in my right hip. Stretching and massage over the foam roller were helpful, and so I figured I'd at least try for my 13 mile goal.
The weather report had set a red flag warning about the winds for today. Hot dry weather with gusts up to 20-30 mph was to be expected. On the trail, the Santa Ana's were hurling debris and branches at us. We ran the first half of our run into the wind.
The trail runs next to a river, also, and continues into a wooded area, closed to traffic. It's really beautiful, with the sycamores just starting to get buds, and a few eucs in bloom. The herons and egrets are all dressed in their mating plumage, with mohawks and ruffs at their necks. These are the things I see. These are the things I try to notice to take my thoughts off the pain in my hip and ankle. It sort of worked. That magical mile: 9.5, had me over and out; I was hurting. JE brought a giant ibuprofen for me, which I took as soon as I had water. We walked the rest of the way to the car.
A doctor visit is in order. Again. Hopefully, this time I can get some solid answers and maybe some physical therapy instead of a muscle relaxing pill. Not a fan of The flexeril hangover. But we just changed from kaiser permanente to a PPO, so I need to find a doc, first. Good grief. And speaking of red flags, shouldn't the name kaiser permanente be warning enough?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Rest day
Sleep is glorious.
As is walking on the beach on a beautiful, warm day in January. I couldn't determine if my light jacket was necessary or not, for most of our walk, and tied it around my waist.
Beef stew for dinner. We've been eating too much rich food and I'm feeling gross. I want clean, fresh food. Tomorrow is sushi night for JE and I. JE is a pro at making rolls. Can't wait.
I've also devised a more set schedule for my workouts, as per what happens on what day of the week. Everything is subject to change. Everything is always subject to change...
As is walking on the beach on a beautiful, warm day in January. I couldn't determine if my light jacket was necessary or not, for most of our walk, and tied it around my waist.
Beef stew for dinner. We've been eating too much rich food and I'm feeling gross. I want clean, fresh food. Tomorrow is sushi night for JE and I. JE is a pro at making rolls. Can't wait.
I've also devised a more set schedule for my workouts, as per what happens on what day of the week. Everything is subject to change. Everything is always subject to change...
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Half
We ran our first half marathon today, no competition. Just us. The Huntington Beach boardwalk was brilliant in the morning's post rain haze, but the wind was gusting in our faces for the first six and a half miles. It felt like we were running uphill.
Before the first quarter, it felt like we had already been running forever. But JE, in wisdom, broke the whole thing down into bits, dividing the whole thing up into familiar distances on our usual trail: to the pink spot, to the footbridge, to the irises. In that manner, we proceded to accomplish the thing, mile by mile. The fact that there were a billion and two distractions around helped bunches, as well.
It seems that around nine and a half miles, I start to get fatigued. Today was no exception. Those last four miles were dearly bought. With .04 mile left, we stopped for water. It was all I could do to keep from crying from pain, and the realization that I may not be able to actually run a full marathon crept into my brain. I'm ok, now. But every muscle in across my hips was screaming at me to stop. I finished my run, and forced myself to keep walking, even though the car and warmth were waiting a few feet away. Eventually, I stretched out a lot of that pain, and took a giant ibuprofen with a quart of chocolate milk.
Dinner tonight needed to be simple. JE wanted to make cassoulet, but changed his mind after our run. We made French omelets with Brie, and a yummy avocado and grapefruit salad we have been eating a lot this winter. This new year, I am determined to find extraordinary things to do with ordinary vegetables and fruit. I get so tired of lettuce, and while spinach is a great substitute, I get tired of that, also. There are many other amazing things to eat raw, or almost raw, and it is my goal to find those things out.
Avocado Salad:
Two ripe but firm avocados, sliced
2 ruby red grapefruit, sectioned
Arrange on a plate (over green leaf lettuce if you'd like)
Season with balsamic vinegar, a good grassy olive oil, salt and pepper.
Dad brought home a bottle of kalamata olive oil from trader joe's. Yummy!
Before the first quarter, it felt like we had already been running forever. But JE, in wisdom, broke the whole thing down into bits, dividing the whole thing up into familiar distances on our usual trail: to the pink spot, to the footbridge, to the irises. In that manner, we proceded to accomplish the thing, mile by mile. The fact that there were a billion and two distractions around helped bunches, as well.
It seems that around nine and a half miles, I start to get fatigued. Today was no exception. Those last four miles were dearly bought. With .04 mile left, we stopped for water. It was all I could do to keep from crying from pain, and the realization that I may not be able to actually run a full marathon crept into my brain. I'm ok, now. But every muscle in across my hips was screaming at me to stop. I finished my run, and forced myself to keep walking, even though the car and warmth were waiting a few feet away. Eventually, I stretched out a lot of that pain, and took a giant ibuprofen with a quart of chocolate milk.
Dinner tonight needed to be simple. JE wanted to make cassoulet, but changed his mind after our run. We made French omelets with Brie, and a yummy avocado and grapefruit salad we have been eating a lot this winter. This new year, I am determined to find extraordinary things to do with ordinary vegetables and fruit. I get so tired of lettuce, and while spinach is a great substitute, I get tired of that, also. There are many other amazing things to eat raw, or almost raw, and it is my goal to find those things out.
Avocado Salad:
Two ripe but firm avocados, sliced
2 ruby red grapefruit, sectioned
Arrange on a plate (over green leaf lettuce if you'd like)
Season with balsamic vinegar, a good grassy olive oil, salt and pepper.
Dad brought home a bottle of kalamata olive oil from trader joe's. Yummy!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Manufacturing
All week, JE and I have been plotting...
I learned last Thursday in class, that today's class would be held in Los Angeles at 10:30 this morning. We both traded out Monday's holiday so we could spend the day together and play. One of the benefits of having dad staying with us is having a rush of teenage mischievousness thinking about sneaking away without dad knowing.
My meeting with the software company this morning was really interesting. The focus of my work has been all about hand building patterns and costumes. This new software could potentially cut my patterning time and opens so many possibilities for work. Maybe my focus will be to learn the program well enough to teach it internationally. Travel sound fun. I suggested this to one of the presenters. He asked if I could travel and if I spoke any other languages. Not any well enough to teach in, but that can change. I wish I were born a language super learner...
Cities are big, loud and a little bit crazy. But today, we found a sweet spot in the heart of all that crazy. In the brilliant California winter sunlight, we ran through Elysian Park. Most of it was trail, some of it was hobbled road. All of it was beautiful and covered in new grass. I love that California turns bright green, while so much of the rest of the northern hemisphere is hunkering down for another month of winter onslaught.
After our run, we checked into a Korean Spa on Wiltshire. It was so nice to unwind, relax, and be warmed. As I sat in the hot tub, I noticed the women around me. The women's area of the spa is clothing prohibited. It isnt a big deal, just the way of things. Its comforting to look around and see all the scars, moles, flab, cellulite, veins, and things that we all share as human beings. As well as the great stuff: skin colors stretched over fat, muscles and bone to create a body as unique as fingerprints; faces, and hair. It probably sound very strange that I mention these things, but artistiacaly speaking women are beautiful. Not no mmuch in the manufactured forms in media, but just as we are and as we ever were, we are beautiful. As I was getting ready to leave, an old old woman was shoulder deep in the bubbles of the hot tub. She had been talking with someone, motioning to them to get into the tub. Almost too late, I realized she was talking to me, as I sat on the edge of the pool. I slid in, and gave her a wink. She gave me a toothless grin and winked back.
On a recommendation from Jonathan Gold, a local food critic, we went to dinner at Palsaik on Western. We waited a bit for our table, but it was worth it. This was Korean BBQ as I've never seen it done before! A one of a kind. Pork belly, seasoned eight ways and grilled, served with a pickled radish paper and chili sauce. There were other condiments on the table, of course--it is a Korean restaurant. The kimchi was served on the grill, hot. After the seafood soup, the hot dish was used to cook the remaining kimchi and bean sprouts into a fried rice dish. My only complaint? I want that fried rice for breakfast tomorrow with a couple scrambled eggs!
I learned last Thursday in class, that today's class would be held in Los Angeles at 10:30 this morning. We both traded out Monday's holiday so we could spend the day together and play. One of the benefits of having dad staying with us is having a rush of teenage mischievousness thinking about sneaking away without dad knowing.
My meeting with the software company this morning was really interesting. The focus of my work has been all about hand building patterns and costumes. This new software could potentially cut my patterning time and opens so many possibilities for work. Maybe my focus will be to learn the program well enough to teach it internationally. Travel sound fun. I suggested this to one of the presenters. He asked if I could travel and if I spoke any other languages. Not any well enough to teach in, but that can change. I wish I were born a language super learner...
Cities are big, loud and a little bit crazy. But today, we found a sweet spot in the heart of all that crazy. In the brilliant California winter sunlight, we ran through Elysian Park. Most of it was trail, some of it was hobbled road. All of it was beautiful and covered in new grass. I love that California turns bright green, while so much of the rest of the northern hemisphere is hunkering down for another month of winter onslaught.
After our run, we checked into a Korean Spa on Wiltshire. It was so nice to unwind, relax, and be warmed. As I sat in the hot tub, I noticed the women around me. The women's area of the spa is clothing prohibited. It isnt a big deal, just the way of things. Its comforting to look around and see all the scars, moles, flab, cellulite, veins, and things that we all share as human beings. As well as the great stuff: skin colors stretched over fat, muscles and bone to create a body as unique as fingerprints; faces, and hair. It probably sound very strange that I mention these things, but artistiacaly speaking women are beautiful. Not no mmuch in the manufactured forms in media, but just as we are and as we ever were, we are beautiful. As I was getting ready to leave, an old old woman was shoulder deep in the bubbles of the hot tub. She had been talking with someone, motioning to them to get into the tub. Almost too late, I realized she was talking to me, as I sat on the edge of the pool. I slid in, and gave her a wink. She gave me a toothless grin and winked back.
On a recommendation from Jonathan Gold, a local food critic, we went to dinner at Palsaik on Western. We waited a bit for our table, but it was worth it. This was Korean BBQ as I've never seen it done before! A one of a kind. Pork belly, seasoned eight ways and grilled, served with a pickled radish paper and chili sauce. There were other condiments on the table, of course--it is a Korean restaurant. The kimchi was served on the grill, hot. After the seafood soup, the hot dish was used to cook the remaining kimchi and bean sprouts into a fried rice dish. My only complaint? I want that fried rice for breakfast tomorrow with a couple scrambled eggs!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Adding
Work was tough today. The project I was hired for originally has been sent to the back of the closet, and even the other project I was asked to particiapate in later, was placed on hold. There are seven pairs of men's jhodphurs that the shop is building. I'm not sure when they became my project, but I was slammed with them today. Most of my day was spent hunched over the cutting table with my 10 inch blades in hand, cutting multiple layers of heavy wool. In most cases, I would have been elated. Today, my hands hurt; my neck and shoulders were burning.
All morning, I'd lamented not getting up to run, but when my day started heating up, I was so grateful I'd reserved my energy. Sleep has been hardto find lately... This arvo, the swimming pool was sounding better and better.
It's a strange and glorious thing, to know that I want to add 12 laps to my swim and to just simply do it. No worries. Sixty laps, a mile and a quarter. JE and I were talking about how different it is from when we first started working. When we worked toward twelve laps, instead of just adding twelve to an existing routine. We remember what it was like to work toward two miles, and not just add two miles to a large base. Pretty cool. I just increased my workout by 25%!
All morning, I'd lamented not getting up to run, but when my day started heating up, I was so grateful I'd reserved my energy. Sleep has been hardto find lately... This arvo, the swimming pool was sounding better and better.
It's a strange and glorious thing, to know that I want to add 12 laps to my swim and to just simply do it. No worries. Sixty laps, a mile and a quarter. JE and I were talking about how different it is from when we first started working. When we worked toward twelve laps, instead of just adding twelve to an existing routine. We remember what it was like to work toward two miles, and not just add two miles to a large base. Pretty cool. I just increased my workout by 25%!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
With three mouths to feed, and and work and class happening for me right now, foodie life has been a bit crazy. Today we foraged. Fortunately, the kitchen pantry is stocked well enough and the freezer isn't empty. JE made lentils with boiled sausage (Joy of Cooking). I made whole wheat biscuits. Though the biscuits were so tempting, we held off eating them until it after dinner. I sweetened some frozen berries with a bit of honey and added a dab of canned whipped cream for a sort of berry shortbread. Perfect! I think I'll try to keep low carb meals for Sunday and serve a low sugar dessert--it's a bit of a slippery slope, but I think we all just feel better having that little treat!
Yesterday's run was kind of amazing. Eleven miles in less than two and a half hours, with very few slowdowns or stops. Toward mile ten, I did stretch need to stretch my hip. My only regret is how quickly the LA marathon is happening. If it were a few more weeks out, I'd sign up. But ten weeks just isn't enough time to gain 15 miles. How fun would it be to run through the streets of LA, closed to traffic. Ok, maybe a little nutty with 40,000 other folks; but still pretty dang cool.
Tonight, JE, dad and I spent some time and planned out the next months meals. It seems like a good idea, and I hope it is. A lot of work went into creating this calendar, but it feels good to have it all done. The are a few dinners that repeat every couple weeks, some of which are there as a template meal; meaning "plug a bean dish in here, woman!" or egg, or whatever.
Yesterday's run was kind of amazing. Eleven miles in less than two and a half hours, with very few slowdowns or stops. Toward mile ten, I did stretch need to stretch my hip. My only regret is how quickly the LA marathon is happening. If it were a few more weeks out, I'd sign up. But ten weeks just isn't enough time to gain 15 miles. How fun would it be to run through the streets of LA, closed to traffic. Ok, maybe a little nutty with 40,000 other folks; but still pretty dang cool.
Tonight, JE, dad and I spent some time and planned out the next months meals. It seems like a good idea, and I hope it is. A lot of work went into creating this calendar, but it feels good to have it all done. The are a few dinners that repeat every couple weeks, some of which are there as a template meal; meaning "plug a bean dish in here, woman!" or egg, or whatever.
Monday, January 9, 2012
It's difficult to write lately. Life is good, I'm working my tail off and enjoying it--literally. I lost another inch off my hips.im trying to work up a plan for the month for dinner. If I can plan 3 nights a week that rotate monthly, that is so much less work to plan for the week. Finding the time and focus is a bit tough.
Yesterday, JE and I ran 11 miles through the trails of irvine. It's lovely to be back in the warm country, where my shorty shorts and tank top are all that are required. The eucswere especially fragrant.
I think I will start to increase my swim distance, as well. A couple nights ago, I enjoyed one of my strongest swims I've known. Each lap felt like a speed lap. I was done with my mile in just over half an hour.
Did I write about New Year's Eve? Running through the streets of downtown Santa Cruz with a billion other people to get o the clock by the stroke of midnight? Did I write about the butterflies? Being at the reception and being asked if we had gone to see the butterflies. Taking off instantly to find them at a nearby church and being entranced by them as they flitted in the trees, enmass. Wings slowly fanning the dying fire of the sun as it shone through the trees, orange and perfect. Did I write about running 8 miles on New Year's day? To Natural Bridges state beach to seek out more butterflies, finding just a few, then running back to the church to find hundreds and hundreds of monarch butterflies swarming around the trees. The sky was filled with them. Did I write about driving back down the coast and stopping along the way at some of the places I camped? And remembering areas in photographic detail, as well as the people I had met there.
While the first part of our trip was worse than I'd care to remember, the last part of out trip was a little bit magical.
I'll be working tomorrow, and figuring out a class schedule.
Yesterday, JE and I ran 11 miles through the trails of irvine. It's lovely to be back in the warm country, where my shorty shorts and tank top are all that are required. The eucswere especially fragrant.
I think I will start to increase my swim distance, as well. A couple nights ago, I enjoyed one of my strongest swims I've known. Each lap felt like a speed lap. I was done with my mile in just over half an hour.
Did I write about New Year's Eve? Running through the streets of downtown Santa Cruz with a billion other people to get o the clock by the stroke of midnight? Did I write about the butterflies? Being at the reception and being asked if we had gone to see the butterflies. Taking off instantly to find them at a nearby church and being entranced by them as they flitted in the trees, enmass. Wings slowly fanning the dying fire of the sun as it shone through the trees, orange and perfect. Did I write about running 8 miles on New Year's day? To Natural Bridges state beach to seek out more butterflies, finding just a few, then running back to the church to find hundreds and hundreds of monarch butterflies swarming around the trees. The sky was filled with them. Did I write about driving back down the coast and stopping along the way at some of the places I camped? And remembering areas in photographic detail, as well as the people I had met there.
While the first part of our trip was worse than I'd care to remember, the last part of out trip was a little bit magical.
I'll be working tomorrow, and figuring out a class schedule.
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