First time out in a long, long time!

Well, I wish that I had a more colorful title, but my brain is not in gear today - yet!

I did make it out, but not quite the way that I had planned it. But it is still a GIANT STEP FORWARD. I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to find it still dark , and immediately went back to sleep. Hubby got up around 6:30 and went for a long bike ride. hmmm.

I got up again at 7:30 to find him still gone. He heard me say that I was going to get up early to "run", but as I wasn't up he decided to take his turn. This worked out just fine. I was worried about leaving him too much to do with the kids while I went on my jaunt, but then I figured that I did it all week, why not let him in on the fun!

So, I got up, put my running togs on, only to find it raining. This would not deter me. I admit that hubby saying "you're not going to let a little rain stop you, are you?" didn't hurt my motivation! Ha ha!! So my start was later than I had planned, but worked out fine. I didn't have any running in the dark stuff out, anyway! This will necessitate my reconfiguring of my weekday runs in some manner. Good thing that I have you guys to keep me straight!

So, it was raining harder by the time I actually got out of the house. Not too sure of the time. I have a Timex Expedition watch to help me with timing. It has a timer, which recycles without needing to push buttons and a complex chronograph that I barely know how to use other than to time the total run.

I started with a warm up walk, but then jogged past the neighbors house - I do have my pride. . . I could quickly see that a 3 min jog/ 2 min walk would not work for 2 reasons. 1. I didn't think that I could keep up the pace with the puppy that I was dragging, nor could I for the entire route. 2. My watch wasn't as good as my old higher end Ironman watch that had mutli-timer modes. I could actually set it to time an uneven amount of jog/walk. My current watch, which was about $30.00 cheaper, will only do 1 time off and on. . . So, I switched to 2 min jog/ 2 min walk. This worked out fine to start, but was feeling like too much time walking in the middle. I kept up that pace as I wasn't sure how I would finish.

Sadly, my time was much slower than I had hoped for, but I did finish without cheating myself once. I did a 15 minute pace and finished 3 miles in about 45 minutes. A 15 minute pace is about a 6.5 hour finish in a marathon, and some will not let you finish in over 6 hours. This is what happened to me at our marathon as a teammate was injured and I foolishly stayed with her until it was determined that she could not finish. This left me with a poor time, and little support towards the finish. I had set a goal of 12 minutes per mile, but functionally was up to 13 minutes per mile. Slow for most runners, but it did get me up in the miles. However, I am not training for another marathon. If you are going to attempt one, there is so much info on the web, including training schedules, diets and time calculators!

For now, my goal is to increase miles, make it easier to do so, and to feel better about myself!

I did remember a few things as I got going. Breathe. . . As I have asthma, I need to breathe too shallow, so I alternate regular exhales with a pursed-lip exhale. This helps me empty my lungs better. It also gives me a beat to concentrate on other than my feet. I also remembered to concentrate on running with light feet. This sounds weird, but if I take the time to think of myself as a fleet-footed runner, I can go farther and faster without as much body stress. Lastly, I need to remind myself to "lead with my boobs!" Ha, ha. It is way to easy to hunker down when I start getting tired. I have long legs and a short body, so I cannot afford to be hunkered over impeding my lung function!

Any ideas from you masses that read this on the early running in the dark stuff?! Let me know. My next outing will be Monday!

Peace out!
MarlaJean

Day 1 or the 2nd day of day 1

What did I learn. Plan it out, don't just think about it. I was planning on getting up at 5:00 to run by 5:30 and be back by 6:30 a.m. when my hubby leaves for work. Ha ha, that did not happen. Why? I kept it a secret, and I was not accountable to an outside voice.

So, now I am telling you that I WILL run on Saturdays, Mondays, and Thursdays. For 1 hour. including warm up and cool down.

I made steaks for dinner last night and here is how I trimmed it down. I only had 1 - 4 oz. portion of lean meat, sauteed mushrooms - a light version, a light Mexican-type of coleslaw and steamed baby Yukon gold potatoes, no butter needed.

Here are my recipes it only took 30 minutes. The mushrooms were on closeout, so I picked some up to cook...gotta cook them that day or else it is bad...

I sauteed mushrooms in a bit water, let that simmer out and finished it off with a nice splash of balsamic vinegar. As the balsamic vinegar cooks off it caramelizes on the mushrooms and you get a tasty almost fried look and they taste better than just simmered in butter!!

The steaks were rinsed, dried, then rubbed with a coarse salt, and then I added coarse ground pepper. Then grilled outdoors.

The coleslaw is something I made up from a little side-dish that I had with most meals while visiting the pacific coast of Mexico a few years ago:

Shred green cabbage, 1 med head. Chop 1/2 an onion, or more if you like, I have little ones to feed so I back off a bit. Spread out on the cutting board and lightly sprinkle with coarse salt. This will start to soften the cabbage as there will be no heavy dressing to soften it up. After about 20 minutes put into you salad bowl. Coarsely chop 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro and toss with the cabbage mixture. The dressing is pretty easy, take ABOUT a 1/2 c. of mild rice wine vinegar with an equal amount of water, and 1 T. cooking oil and mix in a small bowl with 1 t. of prepared mustard, 1/2 t. of cumin and coarse ground pepper. The mustard acts as an emulsifier, so you may use less if you will be eating all of it soon. This will make more than enough for a single meal, but I use it as my side dish for a few reasons. It is a less dense carb, it has no sugar and it is filling. I keep it in the fridge in a few smaller containers and use throughout the week, just for me.

I splurged my carbs and had one baby Yukon Gold potato. These beauties are worth a splurge now and then as they need no dressing or butter. Steaming is best with these to keep them moist and not begging for a topping.

Next step for me. GET MY BUTT OUTTA BED tomorrow to start my run/walk program.

I completed a marathon 3 years ago with this format. Please do not take this as exercise advice to you, I am not an expert or even an amateur, I am just me blabbing on a blog. First, make sure that you can handle whatever you take on. If you can't walk up the steps without wheezing, go see your doctor first. I did have asthma when I started, but as I lost weight and got stronger I no longer needed to have daily meds for that.

So, with my sister Kelley, we started with, I am not kidding here, jogging 1 minute, then walking 1 minute. This was after 5 full minutes of walking and a bit of pre-stretch. We were lazy on that pre-stretching.... After 4 months of training 4 times a week, I could do 5 minutes jogging with 1 minute off. This doesn't sound like much, but I could do it for 26.2 MILES... It was pretty easy going up to the 17 mile point, after that, it really took a lot of self talk and camaraderie with my sis.

So, I will start out tomorrow with a 3 jog/ 2 walk format for about 3 miles tomorrow. 3/2 will get you logging miles and liking it. But, remember, I have done a marathon and my body remembers this, even if my butt doesn't. So, don't be afraid to start at 1 min walk/ 1 min jog.

Honestly, the first time we went out, we just wanted to make it to the next driveway before we decided to split up jogging and walking. We both finished the marathon...

I will let you know how that goes.... oh yeah, bring water!! Get good shoes, too.

Away I go to start my weekend. I will yap at you tomorrow. Let me know if you will be joining me on this journey and I will find a way to post our efforts anonymously, if you prefer.

Lots of fun in SpoVegas
MarlaJean!

Ch ch changes

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I am making changes starting today!! You get to go along. Lucky you, all none of you.

I am getting my house in order, AGAIN. This time, I will not let little kids foil my masterpiece of home solace.

I will find a real way to lose weight for me. I ran a marathon 3 years ago, so I know some fortitude in me, I will find a way to tap into it!! Eventually, I will have a plan that I can share with other women who are on the heavy side. Some exercise plan that will be uplifting and progressive. Something that you don't have to share with a bunch of skinny girls who have NO IDEA what it is like to do those same exercises with a backpack full of weights... Real weight loss for real women. I may ask my friend Alan to give some affirmations us.

I will learn something new, like, maybe, finally learning to play my guitar. I can read music and pick a bit, but not too much... or something.

I cook like a dream, so I will turn my cooking into everyday better food for me, not just my skinny husband. He has no idea what it is like to gain even an ounce. His whole family is like that. Good thing that I love them, otherwise I would be forced to hate them!! lol!

Ok, off I go to find out why "the boys" are arguing over a pair of pants on a day when the temp may reach 88 degrees... such is my life.

Please join me!
Peace and Joy to you,
Marlajean

Oh Baby!!

Wow, how time flies!! The baby was born 09/14/05. Brenden Madison Washington is a beautiful boy. I thought that his mama was weird. It turns out that she is Schizophrenic!! No kidding. So, Brenden came to live in our house beginning with his 2nd day of life. He is my joy. The daddy, is about ready to relinquish his rights and some time soon, he will probably will be our baby. It's pretty weird, but wonderful. He had colic for 7 weeks, and I stayed home with him. I had never experienced this, but it was tough and great all at once. I didn't want to go back to work. Now, I feel conflicted about work. Stay home with "my baby" or work for a better income and standard of living. As an aside, apparently, the new way to do your eyelashes is to be a spyder. Lots of hooker lashes. What am I missing?? Brenden is my little sweetheart.

Today is the Superbowl!! Seattle has finally made it to the Superbowl, but couldn't beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. I remember a game in 1966.

It was after my mom's birthday, but before Valentines's day in 1966. Our faithful TV, the black and white, Zenith had died. No amount of "whacking it" would revive it. Something big was happening, with this death. Mom and Dad were talking about money and there was some urgency. Finally, Dad went to Sears and brought home our first COLOR T.V. The next day, a football game played that Dad was very interested in seeing. It was the game between the football conferences, and this time, for the first time it was called, "The Superbowl". The very first one, I remember seeing it, and watching Dad see a football game in color. I don't remember who played, who won, but I remember the very first one. I saw it, and I saw it in color. Most importantly, my dad saw it in color, for the first time.

Today was Superbowl 40. I doubted that the hawks could pull it out, as the Steelers have a history with the Superbowl. This was the first for the Seahawks, but not the last. I will be cooking up a storm for the Superbowl where the Seahawks win! Today's menu included, Super deluxe Nachos; veggie tray, drinks, and for dessert, Super Duper Chocolate Fudge Triffle!! Yummy!! The Rolling Stones played at half time, which is appropriate to me.

40 years of Superbowl memories. For the last few years, I have hosted a Superbowl party, and every year I call my dad to fool him. Calls asking for help with plumbing or car help just as the first kickoff!!! He forgets that I do this generally, but this year he almost remembered. He said "Wahhaaatt?!!! I told him that I need car help, but that I couldn't reach Rich as he must have the TV volume up very high!! He got it then, and we had a laugh. Dad is 82 years old, and I hope that I have many more years to fool him on Superbowl Sunday!!!!

See ya later, Marlajean

Oh I don't know...

Well here I am again, hoping to have someone read this, but dreading that they might.

I had a fight of sorts, as far as fights go around here, with my husband. I was speaking with his brother who tends to go be very conversational, and in fact probably waits until Raoul (not his real name) is away to get me to shovel the dirt. It's pretty good dish, but the point is that Raoul doesn't tell his family things that I wouldn't dream keeping secret for more than a day or two!! I think this makes me more healthy, he thinks that it only makes me a blabber-mouth. The truth is somewhere in between. The issue at large is the expectation of another grand child. This time from his side of the gene pool. His son is 21 years old and not married, but living with the mother of his child. I would prefer that all of our children be married before procreating, but you don't get to choose when you become a grandparent. We have 2 already, and being a grandparent is so damn much better than being a parent it is amazing. Anyway, he hasn't even told his parents! This child has been in the oven for 4 months. I took the mama to the hospital the other day to check out a potential problem, and this was the topic of my conversation with Raoul's brother. After it popped out of my mouth, I realized he didn't know about the little bundle of joy! Oh shit, damn it even! I could not believe it! So I tried to back out, but he wouldn't let me. So I spilled the beans. He promised not to tell anyone, but encouraged me to tell Raoul to give it up to his folks. I felt like an ass, and knew that Raoul would be upset.

So Raoul got very upset because he is so embarrassed by the continuing saga is his children! His boys have generally been on the edge of the sinking end of "sink or swim", but how much of that is his fault? Their mom died when they were 10, which wasn't more than a couple of years after they divorced. This tragedy came about when I was married to Raoul for about a year. It was horrific. Little kids without their mama. The boys just never came back all of the way after it. I should add that the boys are identical twins, and the first born of Raoul and his first wife. Very precious first arrivals, blonde darlings. One of the boys is a heroin addict. This is very odd for us because we are such a middle class normal family. I think that is what gets him the most. Why are his kids this way if he is so normal and has tried really hard to be a good parent. How much responsibility do parents have for the way a child turns out? What could he do to overcome such a tragedy? He tried to get the kids to go to counseling, but only the girl would go for any length of time. It upset me at the time that the death of "mama" was such a secret. Never mention the elephant in the pink suit in the middle of the room. "Mama" knew that she probably would not survive her cancer around Thanksgiving of the year before she passed. I hoped that she would tell the kids, but she never did. It was left to Rauol to tell them that their mother was not coming home from the hospital, some 6 months later. I remember the little girl screaming to her dad, "no dad, no! Bring her home!" I cried so hard I thought that I too, would die. It was not what I planned, and now we had 6 kids to raise. I wonder how things would've been different had she lived, or even brought the kids into the dying process, instead of dumping it on 3 young kids.

Would boy number 1 have become an addict even if "mama" had lived? Studies state that you are born with addictive tendencies, so what could Raoul have done to curb that? Of course, boy 1 didn't wake up one day and say, "hey, dad, I think I'll become an addict today". The problem was well under way before it came to light.

Then you have boy 2, who got his girlfriend pregnant. We know that he didn't plan it, but he has had time to think about the baby and is still living with his girlfriend and giving her support. At what point does an unplanned pregnancy become a "bad" thing and move into the "good" category. I say as soon as you come to grips with it. This is a baby, and babies are great! It's too bad that this baby didn't have the benefit of married parents, but now, let's get on with it.

I think that Rauol should say "Hey!! Guess what, I'm going to be a Grandpa!" That's what I did after yelling "oh my god, oh my god" a few times when my son told me about my first grandchild. I adore both of the grandkids he has given me. He was a baby himself when he had his first child, but he is moving on and raising his family. It is said, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade", but if it's a grandchild I think it is more like "Lemon Meringue Pie".

Babies are definitely the Pie in my sky. see ya later!

Marlajean

In the eye of the beholder

They say perspective is everything. I remember when I was young. I had very poor eyesight, but didn't know it. In third grade I realized that other students could see the chalk board and I couldn't. We were learning how to write cursive, and I was having problems. I asked my friend Dottie what was on the board and the teacher got made because I was talking in class. I tried to tell her what I needed, but she was a strict teacher and didn't want to hear it. It took another two months for the real problem to come to light. The eye test at school. One of those cover your left eye and point which way the arms of the "E"'s point. I couldn't even see the "E"s. So I went to the optometrist and got my first pair of glasses. (Cat-eyes)

I was amazed at how the REAL world looked!! Everything was different. The Christmas tree lights were clear and not a bunch of colorful blobs. I thought that my blurry, fuzzy view of the world was real. I thought that this was how everyone saw things. Stop lights were a new delight, the walk signal, I had never even SEEN IT. People at the end of the hall, I could see their faces and the buttons on the shirts that they were wearing. I could see FLOWERS. The color of someone's eyes from 3 feet away. Street name signs; I didn't know that they existed.

I had gotten good grades, but I don't know how as I couldn't see the blackboard. No wonder my penmanship was so bad, and still is! The weirdest part was when I went to a baseball game with my dad. I loved to go with dad to Spokane Indians ball games. I was amazed to SEE THE GAME. I had never seen the billboard at the back of the field. I wondered how my dad knew the score! I thought he knew every player PERSONALLY because I had no idea that there were names on the back of the players shirts. My prior "view" of the game was dad, hot dogs and the smell and sound of the game, the crack of the bat and the organist. I loved my view of the game.

The point of this rambling is that in an instant my entire life changed. My view of life was incomplete and wrong, but it was MY view and I thought it was fine, and it was - until that moment when it all changed.

There was one other moment in my "vision-quest", and that was the day that I got contact lenses. I was a freshman in high school, just entering. I had spent painful years as the shy homely girl with the thick glasses. Coke bottle eyes. I got these wonderful contact lenses and went to my first day of high school. Suddenly, people who would never speak to me saw me with new eyes. That was all it took to shed years of being ignored and ridiculed. Suddenly I was seen.

Perspective changes all. So what things are you convinced are the true view and aren't? Who have you judged by your view? What would it take for you to see with new eyes, and what would you do with that view? Or would you pull the blinds down?

See ya later, beautiful

Marlajean

My first posted comment!

Hey, special thanks to "Anonymous" for posting a comment. You are my first commenter! I'm so proud, my little blog is growing up. Family news before ranting. My sister is doing well after having a mastectomy. Mom is doing fine, and dad is looking great. My husband, whom I shall call Raoul, and me are watching the sisters dogs. Teddie and Tinkerbell. TNT is what I say. What cuties they are! I might be able to dig up a photo. I took Tinkerbell to the vet today, and even SHE is not doing well. I am doing fine, but I almost feel guilty for that. Almost.

My commenter, posted "Mature love that lasts" on my photo of 2 lovebirds that I had entitled "Young Love". I know those 2 and the man on the left is definitely a young love. But the point is well taken as love gets much better the longer it lasts. When aged at the proper temperature of course. It makes staying married so much easier. Would you throw out those wonderfully worn jeans for a new stiff pair. Maybe a bad analogy as jeans are made half worn already, and for just another $100.00 or so, someone will pre-own them for you to work them in real well.

Back on the topic. I'm no expert on love, but D & G, my posted young lovers, sure know a thing or two about love. I enjoy visiting with them because they interact so well. They read amazing literature (George Bush wouldn't like them as they don't have pictures) and sit down and discuss the issues. They go together like oatmeal and raisins. Sounds weird, but the 2 make each other better and better. They are comfortable together. They respect each other's opinions, especially when it's hers! Just kidding, I hear a lot of "Yes, dear"s from D, but I can tell they are on the same wave-length.

Raoul and I set up a work-out area in the basement today. Mini-tramp, exercise ball, bicycle trainer, and hand weights. Well, that pooped me out!

The Tamales were delicious! I made a quick little sauce that worked well with them:
saute 3 cloves of garlic gently in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle some cumin and chili powder over the garlic. In the blender, give a quick chop to a can of Mexican style stewed tomatoes. Pour in the tomato mixture and heat through.

Well, time to sign off. Thanks again to "Anonymous" for the comment. I'll send you a prize or something.

Love to you all,

MarlaJean