Fabric and Running and Driving and Life

I have been exhausted all day today, like a fog is over me. Too much going on. Gram went into the hospital last Thursday and it was a bit touchy, but she seems to be rallying back to her normal spirits. But that has meant trips up to the hospital.

Took the kids to Sudbury yesterday, and they were as good as gold. There is a certain big box store that starts with a 'W', that is cutting way back on their fabric and they had batiks on for $3 a metre, so that was a good score!

Ran again today, just a short one. Have one more short run on Friday then off to Sudbury for the race Sunday morning.

Saturday morning is the first soccer game for my kids. Did I mention that I have never played and I am coaching 11 kids. 2 are my own, so we were out practicing today in the yard. They have never played either. The only way I could guarantee they were on the same team is to volunteer to help, they were obviously desparate for coaches! But since then, I have received a manual from a friend on soccer for kids, sent various emails out and am feeling somewhat confident of what to do. Plus the kids are supposed to be in Senior Kindergarten to play. My oldest is in JK, and my youngest is still only 3. Don't tell.

Hopefully it will be nice out and we can bike, play baseball and soccer. They start baseball in 2 weeks as well. And I didn't lie about their age this time! But I can't find their gloves anywhere and I have turned my house upside down.

Last Long Run

I went and ran my last 10 km run before the race, I will run shorter ones now till race day... but I just had to post... I took 14 minutes off my best 10km run time! So am pretty pumped about that.

Elliot Lake

I attended the Elliot Lake quilt show on Saturday. Actually they asked me to open it. That was a first for me, the Mayor and I cut the 'ribbon' which was actually fabric, I did hate cutting that! The show was splendid, and the ladies of the guild were so helpful and extremely nice.

The best part was the whole family came with me. As it is a 2 1/2 hour drive each way and I had my boys and hubby to keep me company. We went to a terrific 'Dollar Store' where I stocked up on beads and beads and beads. The boys got this metal build it yourself helicopter and we did that for 45 minutes when we got home. It was a great toy as they helped screw in all the pieces and it is very durable. And of course we went to McDonald's. My boys are good though, they pick the grill cheese sandwich, my hubby picked the Double Big Mac, twice! Sigh....

After the kids were in bed, I did more beading. And this morning, after my workout, did some more. This is day 4 of getting up at 5:30 am. I am going to try it for 7 days and see if I can get into the habit of it. It is nice to get my workout in, and not miss getting the boys up.

And don't forget, Tuesday I speak in front of Council to see about my chickens... coincidentally the day old chicks arrive the next day... on Earth Day.

To Bead or Not to Bead

Let's start with that first. I am doing some beadwork on a quilt, well, quite a lot. I thought I had purchased several containers of this type, but was mistaken, I only have 2. It is going to be nip and tuck. I have reduced myself to looking between the couch cushions for any that may have fallen. And believe me, that is scary, you never know what you will find there. That is my quilting story to date, I am beading 1 1/2 hours each nite. I have 13 objects to do and it takes me that long to do one. I am hoping to be done in 3 weeks, as I am out some nights coming up etc.

Now I know you are dying to hear about my running. I got up early and headed to the treadmill. Ran my 3.2 km this morning in 20 minutes. I have got that one down to a science now. Mainly because I mentally don't lose my marbles for 2 km, and the last one is just a sprint , die, repeat, till I finish. This week I have to do a 5 km, and an 8km run, and am supposed to go away and I have a cold. I have to figure out where to get that 8 km one in... it is the time factor that I find difficult to deal with. How do you find that much time in a day with 1 or 2 litte ones at home?

Now you may be wondering why I have put a set of scales on this note. I have discovered something wonderful about non digitalized weight scales. I have been trying to lose that 5 lbs (well it did creep up to 10 a while ago, then back to 7), but I digress. I noticed that if you stand at just the right angle looking down at my scales, they could use an adjustment. For the betterment of accuracy. Do you see where I am going with this? So in an effort to be true to myself, I adjusted my scales and low and behold, had lost 2 lbs. Try it, you wouldn't believe how good it makes you feel! It almost made me forget my 6 pieces of date squares I had yesterday.
I can't wait to adjust, I mean weigh in next week!

Sense of Humour

My mom and her friends have a great sense of humour. So much so, that I always tease them for laughing more than quilting when they get together to quilt. This wallhanging was made for a friend of theirs moving down south. But they made a similar one that hangs in the Mindemoya Hospital as well.

I did a 5 km run yesterday, on the treadmill, and was happy about the time. Not because of what it was, but because I was able to work thru the fear of not having enough energy at the end.

Since running is a new sport for me, I always think I need to save energy, not go as hard as I might. Totally unlike swimming, where I know exactly how fast I can go for how long, to do the best I can in a race. I don't have that kind of control over running.....yet.

I have 5 more weeks until the race, so will continue to follow my schedule. At some point, I am going to have to abandon my treadmill and head outside. I am dreading that as I know my time will falter and it will be more of a mental training than anything else. But unfortunately I can't run the race on my treadmill=)

I am loving this warmer weather for a number of reasons. But one of them is I am outside more and not so tempted by walking thru the kitchen and eating whatever is on the counter.

Must get out there and enjoy this beautiful day with my family.

Two for Twins

My mother in law loves me these days. In one week, I finished both rag quilts for her to give to a set of twins. I got the twins bamboo plates and bamboo forks and spoons from the 'Green Collection' store online. I haven't learned how to make it link right to the website, so you will have to google it until I figure it out.

Ran today, had to go hard as I knew the kids would only sit still for about 20 minutes. Yes, I turned the tv on, and that is how I knew I only had 20 minutes. Don't judge me! haha. Anyway, I took another 30 seconds off my time for my little 3.2 km run.

And my 'dear' friend emailed today and we decided on April 24th as the day we will have lost our 5 lbs. She wants to celebrate by buying clothing and I am not sure what I will do to celebrate. I am wondering if I lose the weight prior to this date, and then put it back on, is that still a win?

Tonite I started quilting my next project and am thrilled about that. I won't mention that I am already thinking about the one after that. I guess that is why quilters spend so much money on fabric. Not me, of course! I don't do that bad though, because I purchased a bolt of white fabric and what I usually do is pick a commercial fabric or two and then dye the rest of the fabric I am going to use to match my focus fabrics. And yes, the white fabric is much much cheaper than a commercial print fabric. So if you think about it, I am actually saving money. Well, as long as you don't think about it for too long!

Acupuncture and Quilts

I don't mess around when it comes to getting a quilt out of the way, or should I say done. In 24 hours I managed to finish one of the 2 rag quilts I am working on for my mother in law to give as gifts to a new set of twin girls. Yes, you did read correctly, all my hard work is being donated so my mother in law can give this new mom a 'handmade gift'. I know... you don't have to say anything else. All I can say is that she makes the best date squares ever and babysitting is pretty much available 24/7.

And I got acupuncture for the first time ever today and it was actually pretty cool. My massage therapist is a pretty cool guy and so knowledgeable. He is always naming muscles off and I just nod pretending I am following along, meanwhile I am really thinking about my next quilt project or if I need to buy more chocolate.

I have also started and ended training for my 10 km race in May. hahaha , I just put that in there to freak my cousin out. I ran 3 km tonite, if it was any slower, the treadmill would have shut off by itself due to lack of movement. Oh well, we can't all be athletes or runners or even resembling the above mentioned. Some of us can strive to excel at chocolate eating. Now that I have complete reign over=)

Can Winter Please End?

Okay, I try and give each season a fair shake, but some seasons are just being hoggy and not giving their time up. Mr. Winter, your time is up! Please leave and bring on Mrs. Spring. I am so sick of the snow and the snow pants and the mitts and the hats and everything else I have to put on. I want my sandals and hat and head out the door.

Today was fun, went to the church rummage sale and got to browse while my kids browsed for toys and we spent $5 and got a whole whack of stuff, that kept everyone happy for the rest of the day. I will probably take them back tomorrow, if Mr. Winter decides to bring on this horrible storm, as we won't be able to play outside and we only live 3 blocks from the church. Plus the inlaws are next door, so can probably squeeze a meal or at least a good snack out of them.

Worked out tonite with friends. It was more fun than working out by myself, not sure if the workout was as intense as I wasn't thinking the whole time, "get this thing done".

I am supposed to be training for a 10 km race the beginning of May, not really looking forward to that. Seems like a lot of planning, training, and hard on my already aching knees. But I will give it a try and see if I survive it. Then probably retire from that sport and find a new sport. Like to see how many chocolate bars you can eat without getting sick in one week. It would be an endurance sport... over a week. And not the crap chocolate, but the 85% cocoa chocolate. If you are going to do a sport, you should have the right equipment and take it seriously. I could probably find a few people to participate in this with me.

Or I could try the 'how long can you not exercise for' sport. This is a real test of an athlete. How many days can you not do any physical exercise. I will probably try this one immediately following the 10 km race. It may last all summer and if I am feeling like really mixing things up, I may combine it with the 'see how many chocolate bars you can eat in one week' sport. But let's not get carried away, I will have to focus on the blasted 10 km run for the next 8 weeks.