Is it still winter?

Although running in the cold has been much more enjoyable than I had anticipated, I am still anxiously awaiting spring. Living in the country and heating with wood, it is nearly impossible to keep the house clean. And then there are the mounds of coats: light jackets, vests, heavy coats, stylish coats, and working outside coats. Times that by four people, and you can imagine what our entry area looks like!

I am still exercising 5-6 times per week. I am not running quite as many miles, simply because some days it's just too nasty out. Those days I do TurboJam, the Wii Fit, treadmill, or a new Bob Green DVD. I know that I have said this before, but I detest the treadmill. I try, and I get on with a positive attitude (at least on the surface), but it is all I can do to run 2 miles on that machine. I can't really understand how I can rather easily run 6 miles on the streets, but can hardly trudge through 2 miles on the treadmill. It is sooooo boring. Even when I listen to music, I am bored. When I have to resort to indoor exercise, I usually combine my 2 miles with a strength workout. At least it adds up to an hour of exercise.

This morning Jackie and I ran at 5 a.m. for the first time in over a month. It wasn't easy to get out of my warm bed, and I had expected it to be warmer outside, but once we got going, it felt great. I had more energy throughout the day, and after school I got the grocery shopping done, baked a cake, cleaned the kitchen (including cleaning out moldy or stale food), did some laundry, and I am still going. Once I hit the couch, that'll be it for the night. I am really bad about coming home, plopping down in front of Oprah, and then not wanting to do much the rest of the evening. I would like to run at 5 a.m. two-three times a week. I love having my evening free - of course, that won't last long because tennis and track season is just around the corner, and then a free evening will be a luxury.

I have set a new goal of cooking more. I have set this goal many times before, and just manage to come up with many excuses not to cook. Last night I sat down with recipe books, mapped out the week, made the grocery list, and I am ready to roll. I am optimistic, but realistic as well. I will try this, but if it doesn't work out, I won't beat myself up. We don't eat out much, we just get by with grilled cheese, Ravioli (I'm talking out of a can), and other simple meals. Fortunately, my family doesn't seem to be bothered too much by my lack of initiative in the kitchen. Part of my problem is that I am so picky. I look at new recipes, but they have ingredients that I don't like, so we end up eating the same old meals. My poor husband loves a variety of foods, but gets only an occasional bland dinner because the girls and I are all picky. Groceries have gotten so expensive, sometimes I think it is cheaper for us to grab something out.

To those of you reading this...Thanks! I know I really don't have anything amazing to report, so thanks for coming back!

Wow! It's Freezing Outside!

As I sit at the computer, I actually have on my new Snuggie (which I thought looked ridiculous when I first saw them). It is going to be a frigid week, so I am certain I will appreciate being able to curl up on the couch and keep my arms warm as I read. I won't, however, be purchasing one for our dog!

Speaking of dogs, our 'puppy' is expecting any day now. Actually, we thought she would have given birth by now, which would have been convenient considering I have to go back to school tomorrow. Izabel is only 10 months old; we had no idea she could even get pregnant! Now we have a dog nursery set up in back of our family room, and I have had to take her temp (rectally!) to try to determine when the big event will take place. Of course, the girls are excited, and working to talk their dad into taking one of the pups. I just see added work over the next six weeks!

Running...wow. In the summer I said I would not be running in really cold temps. Friday morning our town's wellness committee organized a 2-mile walk and 5-mile run. It was 18 degrees and windy! Gary, Jackie, and I went anyway. It was pretty cold the first mile or two, but then it really didn't feel that bad. There were just a few 5-milers, but it was fun to run with others who are equally obsessed with getting their runs in - and it was impossible to complain because one lady is 5 months pregnant! Last night, Erin and I ran 6 miles. It was about 16 degrees, but very little wind. I went out with the intention of running 4 miles, figuring that in the cold, dark evening, that was pretty commendable. Once we got started, it just felt good. I don't know if I would complete these longer runs if I were alone. Having Jackie and/or Erin to talk to really makes a difference. Erin makes running seem so effortless, even as she drags her old aunt along!

On this cold Sunday afternoon, it would be very easy to curl up with a good book and skip the run, but Erin and I are going to head out soon. There are days that I wish that we lived in town so that I could just step out the door and take off running; as it is I have to drive to town, which adds 20 minutes to my exercise time. I don't know how far we will run today; it really doesn't matter. I am out, and I am running. For that, I am very grateful!