My cousin Emily is a high school English teacher in Ruston, LA. Anytime I think about someone passing out, I think about a story that Emily told me one time. In her first year of teaching, a student burst into her room and exclaimed "Ms. Howell - DebOrah done fell out!"
Well, yesterday morning I done fell out 3 times, totaling about 20 minutes of unconsciousness. I have been feeling a little under the weather this week - mostly due to a severe sore throat that's been nagging me since Monday. I ran on Monday and Tuesday, but took Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as rest days. I had actually planned to make a doctor's appointment for this morning to get my throat checked out and to rule out strep throat.
So yesterday morning started off like any normal day, other than the fact that it was -3 degrees outside, with a wind chill of -12 degrees. Just too damn cold. I woke up at about 4:30am to take 2 ibuprofen for my throat, but then went back to bed. I then woke up at 6:45am and got ready for work - took a shower, got dressed, took my morning meds (b.c., multi-vitamin), took Emma out to go to the bathroom, tucked her back into bed, and headed off too work. Asbury Seminary is about 6.5 miles from our house, and it takes about 10-15 minutes to get there. My car was warmed up and my heater was letting out a steady stream of heat, but my fingers and toes were still freezing - despite my thick socks and gloves. About half way into my drive, my extremities seemed to regain feeling, but then I started to feel funny. I felt like I was going to pass out, but I kept thinking - no, you're not going to pass out. As I got closer to the seminary the feeling got stronger and stronger - enough to where I was like ok, I have to park somewhere because I'm about to go down. I take a country road into work, and there isn't exactly any place to pull over so I knew that I had to make it to a parking lot at the seminary. I kept shaking my head, hoping it would keep my conscious until I made it to the parking lot. Luckily, it did.
I pulled into the parking lot and the last thing I remember is putting the car in park. I came to and was slumped against my door, feeling extremely disoriented and very hot. I turned off my car and took of my gloves and hat to cool down a little. All kinds of thoughts were racing through my mind - I need to call someone, what is going on, am I going to die out here in this parking lot, what am I going to do, etc. A little dramatic, yes - but I was really out of it. So I finally got enough sense back to realize that I needed to call someone. Before I could find my phone, I went out again. This time when I came to, I was freezing because of the lack of heat and no gloves and/or hat. So I pulled my gloves on and found my phone. I knew that Chad was in class and probably had his phone on 'silent,' so I called my boss, Sheryl. I was like Sheryl, I have no idea what is going on, but I just passed out twice and I'm pretty sure I'm about to pass out again. She had me tell her where I was and she was like - "Stay there, we are coming to get you!" and then I passed out again. This time when I came to I couldn't see - and that really freaked me out. I've passed out a good bit in my life (once due to pain, other times due to medicines reacting to one another) but I've never lost my vision as a result of blacking out. It came back after a minute or so, but it was one of the most terrifying minutes of my life. I remember seeing my dashboard slowly come back into focus, and it was the most beautiful dashboard I have ever seen.
About that time Sheryl and my co-worker Megan arrived at my car and Sheryl got in the passenger seat. She told me that another one of my co-workers, Isaac, had gone to get Chad out of class and that they were on their way to the parking lot. Once Chad got to the car I started crying and was like "I don't know what's going on..." It was decided that he would go back to class to get his things and Sheryl would drive me over to the student center so we could rendezvous with Chad. Once we did that, Chad and I set off towards the doctor's office. I didn't feel like I was going to pass out any more, but I did feel very disoriented and tired.
Once we got the doctor's office, Chad explained everything that happened to the receptionist and I was back in a room in about 5 minutes. I might try going to the doctor's office without an appointment more often - talk about quick service! So they took my temp, blood pressure, blood sugar, tested for anemia, tested for pregnancy and did an EKG. Everything came back normal, except they did find that I have a urinary tract infection. That was news to me - I don't even know what the symptoms are for a UTI. They also took blood, and we are still awaiting the results on that. My doctor didn't think that the UTI was the likely cause of the fainting, so she consulted with another doctor and they decided it would be best to schedule a brain scan, EEG, and for me to wear a Holter monitor. I have the brain scan and pick up the Holter monitor on Tuesday, and then I will go back on Friday to turn in the Holter monitor and get an EEG.
I am hoping that what happened yesterday was a freak combination of my body dealing with the extreme cold, dehydration, fatigue, and the UTI. I am hoping my body just decided to hit CTRL ALT DEL for a moment. For the safety of those in Jessamine County, I have been instructed to not drive until I have the tests done and the doctors can either diagnose me or rule things out. I am anxious to talk to the cardiologists about my marathon training. I am still hopeful that I will be able to do the Derby Festival marathon in April, but realistic to know that if I have a heart arrhythmia or something then long distance running might not be in my best interest.
I woke up this morning expecting to feel better, but I really felt like I was hungover. I don't really know what being truly hungover feels like because I usually can get a buzz off of two sips of a Miller Chill, but I imagine this is what it feels like. Chad has been a great caretaker over the past few days - bringing me Frosties and smoothies, Gatorade, soup, cranberry juice, etc.
I found out this morning that there is a possibility that my mom may be able to come up and visit us next weekend, which would be absolutely wonderful. A very nice man from my sister's church offered to give her a free round trip ticket, so I am really hoping that everything works out with the airline and that he is able to transfer the ticket to her. Everyone needs their mama when they are feeling bad!
Well that is my crazy experience of the week. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and kind words - they were very uplifting and comforting yesterday and continue to be so.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
I kicked off my marathon and sprint triathlon training this week. I am fortunate enough to get a great rate at Asbury College's workout facilities, aka "The Luce Center," since I work for Asbury Seminary. My workouts last week were great, and I am really looking forward to my second week of training.
Training summary for the week:
Mon: Rest day
Tues: 2.5 mile run in 24:04 minutes, arms & core weight workout
Wed: 3.5 mile run in 35:15, legs & core weight workout
Thurs: 15 minutes on stationary bike, 15 minute run, arms & core weight workout
Fri: Rest
Sat: 3.1 mile "long" run (should have been 6...see below)
Sun: Rest
I really would have liked to have gotten a 2 mile run in on Monday, but it was my first day back to work after two weeks off and I wanted to be at my desk bright and early. So I used Monday as a rest day and began training on Tuesday.
My training plan called for a 6 mile long run yesterday, but I was only able to get in 3.1. I met up with some friends in Wilmore for the run at 8:00am and we hit the road at 8:10am. At about 8:20am, a torrential down pour began. We were running a 5k loop, and my plan was to run it twice. I figured that I was soaking wet anyway, so another 30 minutes out in the rain couldn't be too bad. But it got a little colder and the rain came a little harder as I approached the 3.1 mile mark and I decided to throw in the towel. Not literally, because I would have really liked to have a towel at that point. If I would have had a change of clothes I would have gone to the gym and finished the run on a treadmill, but I was soaked to the bone with no clothes to change into. My shoes and socks were totally soaked as I ran the last half mile and I really began to worry about being sucked into a storm drain, getting "trench foot" and/or my most likely fate, getting bad blisters. Luckily none of the above occurred.
We called it quits at 3.1 miles and each headed home for warm showers. I had a 10 minute drive to get back to Nicholasville and I was absolutely freezing when I pulled into our driveway. But a hot shower and coffee with friends soon after helped to warm me back up. I know the weather in Kentucky in the winter can be very fickle, so I hope to not have to cut any more long runs short during my training due to weather. From now on I think I will come prepared to finish my run on a treadmill if necessary.
Overall, I am feeling pretty good. Chad and I both are trying to eat better and cut back on processed foods. I am really trying to curb my eating and eat only when I am truly hungry - not just because I am bored, tired, emotional, etc. I think that food holds a much greater place in society and culture to be simply viewed as "fuel" - but I find myself repeating the "food is fuel" mantra when staring down a plate of brownies, cookies, chips, you name it. It has really helped me this past week.
I weighed myself on Tuesday morning and would like to drop 10 pounds between now and marathon morning. I think this goal is definitely attainable, and I look forward to dropping some pounds, increasing my fitness and endurance levels, and transforming my body over the next 3.5 months.
Training summary for the week:
Mon: Rest day
Tues: 2.5 mile run in 24:04 minutes, arms & core weight workout
Wed: 3.5 mile run in 35:15, legs & core weight workout
Thurs: 15 minutes on stationary bike, 15 minute run, arms & core weight workout
Fri: Rest
Sat: 3.1 mile "long" run (should have been 6...see below)
Sun: Rest
I really would have liked to have gotten a 2 mile run in on Monday, but it was my first day back to work after two weeks off and I wanted to be at my desk bright and early. So I used Monday as a rest day and began training on Tuesday.
My training plan called for a 6 mile long run yesterday, but I was only able to get in 3.1. I met up with some friends in Wilmore for the run at 8:00am and we hit the road at 8:10am. At about 8:20am, a torrential down pour began. We were running a 5k loop, and my plan was to run it twice. I figured that I was soaking wet anyway, so another 30 minutes out in the rain couldn't be too bad. But it got a little colder and the rain came a little harder as I approached the 3.1 mile mark and I decided to throw in the towel. Not literally, because I would have really liked to have a towel at that point. If I would have had a change of clothes I would have gone to the gym and finished the run on a treadmill, but I was soaked to the bone with no clothes to change into. My shoes and socks were totally soaked as I ran the last half mile and I really began to worry about being sucked into a storm drain, getting "trench foot" and/or my most likely fate, getting bad blisters. Luckily none of the above occurred.
We called it quits at 3.1 miles and each headed home for warm showers. I had a 10 minute drive to get back to Nicholasville and I was absolutely freezing when I pulled into our driveway. But a hot shower and coffee with friends soon after helped to warm me back up. I know the weather in Kentucky in the winter can be very fickle, so I hope to not have to cut any more long runs short during my training due to weather. From now on I think I will come prepared to finish my run on a treadmill if necessary.
Overall, I am feeling pretty good. Chad and I both are trying to eat better and cut back on processed foods. I am really trying to curb my eating and eat only when I am truly hungry - not just because I am bored, tired, emotional, etc. I think that food holds a much greater place in society and culture to be simply viewed as "fuel" - but I find myself repeating the "food is fuel" mantra when staring down a plate of brownies, cookies, chips, you name it. It has really helped me this past week.
I weighed myself on Tuesday morning and would like to drop 10 pounds between now and marathon morning. I think this goal is definitely attainable, and I look forward to dropping some pounds, increasing my fitness and endurance levels, and transforming my body over the next 3.5 months.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Part 4 - Back to Texas!
We left Alexandria early on Friday morning in order to get back to Clear Lake before noon. My niece Brittany was leaving Clear Lake to visit her dad in Dallas for Christmas at 2:00pm, so we wanted to get back home as soon as we could in order to have Christmas lunch and open presents together before Brittany and Michelle had to leave. My twin sister Megan flew in from L.A. on Christmas Eve and everyone was very kind to wait until we got back on Friday to open presents, so that we could all open them together.
We had lunch - Schlotszky's sandwiches (a family tradition) and an assortment of chips and delicious dips - and then opened presents. I love opening presents with my family. We have always opened presents the same way for as long as I can remember. A few family members distribute all of the gifts, and then we go around in a circle and each open one gift at a time. This prolongs the gift opening experience, and lets you see everyone's reaction to their gifts. We received (and hopefully gave!) wonderful gifts and both Santa and my family were too generous to us, as always.
We also played with Pod, Megan's semi-sweet Chihuaha.
Santa brought Brittany a Wii for Christmas and after she left for Dallas, we took over the Wii. Wii boxing and golf is very addicting. A few rounds of boxing:
Megan, throwing it down
Chad, with fists of fury
Not sure if this is a swing, a pose, or a dance move
I have a hilarious video of my dad boxing, but for his sake, I will not post it here. Although it is pretty impressive...so it may just have to be premiered at some point!
Here is a building that was on the Seawall and was taken down to its studs in the storm.
We had lunch - Schlotszky's sandwiches (a family tradition) and an assortment of chips and delicious dips - and then opened presents. I love opening presents with my family. We have always opened presents the same way for as long as I can remember. A few family members distribute all of the gifts, and then we go around in a circle and each open one gift at a time. This prolongs the gift opening experience, and lets you see everyone's reaction to their gifts. We received (and hopefully gave!) wonderful gifts and both Santa and my family were too generous to us, as always.
After lunch and presents, we had a little bit of time to play with Brittany before she left. Michelle got her a pogo stick for Christmas and boy can that girl pogo. She pogo'd 80 times in a row! I could only get 8 in a row before losing control and jumping off.
Me + pogo stick = a bad idea
Me + pogo stick = a bad idea
We also played with Pod, Megan's semi-sweet Chihuaha.
Megan, throwing it down
Chad, with fists of fury
Not sure if this is a swing, a pose, or a dance moveI have a hilarious video of my dad boxing, but for his sake, I will not post it here. Although it is pretty impressive...so it may just have to be premiered at some point!
On Saturday, my parents took Chad, Megan and me down through Seabrook and Galveston to see some of the devastation from Hurricane Ike. It was really unbelievable. Some homes on the waterfront in Seabrook fared ok, but some homes were taken down to their studs and some were even taken completely off of their foundations. My parents live about 2 miles from Clear Lake, which feeds directly into Galveston Bay. So when the hurricane hit Galveston, the storm surge roared from the coast into the bay, and subsequently into Clear Lake. Galveston island did not fair so well, as it took a direct hit from Ike.
Here is a building that was on the Seawall and was taken down to its studs in the storm.We also went down to the Strand, the historic downtown area of Galveston. We went on a nice Saturday afternoon and it was like a ghost town.
I kept telling Chad how vibrant the Strand used to be - on a nice Saturday afternoon people would be shoulder to shoulder on the streets visiting the tourist shops, local markets, restaurants, etc. So many of the businesses in Galveston are still closed and that was a strange sight.
On Sunday, we relaxed and had a good lunch at Double Dave's Pizza, visited On the Run to scope out some new running shoes, and went to Borders to look for a 2009 Moleskine planner. Then we went home to get things packed and ready to go to the airport. We had such a great time in Clear Lake and it was hard to leave. It is always hard to leave home.
We left for the airport at 4:30pm, arrived at 5:30pm and flew out at 7:45pm. We landed in Lexington about 11:30pm and I was exhausted. Our good friends Justin and Charis picked us up and delivered us home. It was kind of strange to be back in Kentucky. We were away for 10 days, and it was just long enough to make things feel kind of surreal when we got back - like, is this really my house? kind of surreal. Since we got in so late on Sunday, we weren't able to pick Emma up until Monday morning. I was at the kennel when the doors opened and was jumping for joy to pick up my baby. I brought her home and we gave her her Christmas toys and treats, and then we crashed for a two-hour nap.
The end!
I kept telling Chad how vibrant the Strand used to be - on a nice Saturday afternoon people would be shoulder to shoulder on the streets visiting the tourist shops, local markets, restaurants, etc. So many of the businesses in Galveston are still closed and that was a strange sight.On Sunday, we relaxed and had a good lunch at Double Dave's Pizza, visited On the Run to scope out some new running shoes, and went to Borders to look for a 2009 Moleskine planner. Then we went home to get things packed and ready to go to the airport. We had such a great time in Clear Lake and it was hard to leave. It is always hard to leave home.
We left for the airport at 4:30pm, arrived at 5:30pm and flew out at 7:45pm. We landed in Lexington about 11:30pm and I was exhausted. Our good friends Justin and Charis picked us up and delivered us home. It was kind of strange to be back in Kentucky. We were away for 10 days, and it was just long enough to make things feel kind of surreal when we got back - like, is this really my house? kind of surreal. Since we got in so late on Sunday, we weren't able to pick Emma up until Monday morning. I was at the kennel when the doors opened and was jumping for joy to pick up my baby. I brought her home and we gave her her Christmas toys and treats, and then we crashed for a two-hour nap.
The end!
Part 3 - Alexandria, LA cont.
We had a great time in Natchitoches on Monday evening, and then on Tuesday morning, Mrs. Suzy, Payton and I drove to Natchez, Mississippi to pick up Chad's grandmother, Mae. Her husband, Pop, was put into a nursing home about one year ago, so we were glad that we could see her and that she didn't have to spend Christmas in an empty house. On Christmas Eve we did some last minute shopping and went to the Christmas Eve service at Calvary Baptist church, where Chad's dad, Mr. David, is the pastor. It was a beautiful service and it ends each year by each family coming forward to light a candle on a huge candle tree that sits at the front of the sanctuary. Mr. David called us down first and Mae lit the candle for us. It was the first time that she had ever been to the Christmas Eve service at Calvary, so that was neat.
After the service, we drove over to Pineville to drive through Central Louisiana State hospital, an in-patient facility for mental health services. Every year they put out tons and tons of Christmas decorations - all hand-carved and painted by patients. It really is something to see! Unfortunately, I didn't bring the camera so I don't have any pictures. Chad's parents have been taking them to see these decorations since they were little kids, so it was neat to get to drive through and see them with Chad and his family.
I didn't sleep very well while we were out of town. I had these strange bouts of insomnia each night where I would wake up about 2:00am and then fall back to sleep around 5:00am. I think it was because I didn't have my little Emma to snuggle with - she's my usual sleeping pill! So on Christmas Eve, Mrs. Suzy gave me a sleeping pill and I was out like a light from 10:00pm - 7:00am. Things were a little fuzzy the next morning, but it was nice to get a solid night's sleep!
I love spending time with Chad's family. I love everyone in his family dearly and we always have such a great time when we are in Alexandria. But on Christmas day I felt really torn - I loved being with Chad's family and didn't want to leave them, but I also wanted to be with my family. But I knew that we would be driving to Clear Lake the next day, so that made things easier. Since we have been married, we have alternated back and forth as to which family we are with on Christmas day. Luckily, we have been able to go home for long enough stretches of time in late December/early January to where we are able to see both families. This is one of the reasons I am looking forward to moving back down south after seminary, so that we can see our immediate families more often, and also see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins more often as well.
Mr. David, looking good in his new leather Harley jacket. He got a Harley Sportster
a little over a year ago, and now he is obsessed with all things Harley...
...so when Chad and I found this little leather Harley Davidson cap for dogs at
Petsmart, we knew it would make a perfect gift for Dana!
After the service, we drove over to Pineville to drive through Central Louisiana State hospital, an in-patient facility for mental health services. Every year they put out tons and tons of Christmas decorations - all hand-carved and painted by patients. It really is something to see! Unfortunately, I didn't bring the camera so I don't have any pictures. Chad's parents have been taking them to see these decorations since they were little kids, so it was neat to get to drive through and see them with Chad and his family.
I didn't sleep very well while we were out of town. I had these strange bouts of insomnia each night where I would wake up about 2:00am and then fall back to sleep around 5:00am. I think it was because I didn't have my little Emma to snuggle with - she's my usual sleeping pill! So on Christmas Eve, Mrs. Suzy gave me a sleeping pill and I was out like a light from 10:00pm - 7:00am. Things were a little fuzzy the next morning, but it was nice to get a solid night's sleep!
I love spending time with Chad's family. I love everyone in his family dearly and we always have such a great time when we are in Alexandria. But on Christmas day I felt really torn - I loved being with Chad's family and didn't want to leave them, but I also wanted to be with my family. But I knew that we would be driving to Clear Lake the next day, so that made things easier. Since we have been married, we have alternated back and forth as to which family we are with on Christmas day. Luckily, we have been able to go home for long enough stretches of time in late December/early January to where we are able to see both families. This is one of the reasons I am looking forward to moving back down south after seminary, so that we can see our immediate families more often, and also see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins more often as well.
A few pictures from Christmas day:
Miles, Payton and Jay's 3-year-old German Shepard, gets
in the Christmas spirit with a red bow.
Dana, the Brooks' family dog, also in the Christmas spirit.
Miles, Payton and Jay's 3-year-old German Shepard, getsin the Christmas spirit with a red bow.
Dana, the Brooks' family dog, also in the Christmas spirit.
Mr. David, looking good in his new leather Harley jacket. He got a Harley Sportstera little over a year ago, and now he is obsessed with all things Harley...
...so when Chad and I found this little leather Harley Davidson cap for dogs atPetsmart, we knew it would make a perfect gift for Dana!
Now, back to Houston for part 4!
Part 2 - Alexandria, LA
After spending a couple of days with my family, we headed 4 hours east to spend Christmas with Chad's family in central Louisiana. Santa came a little early and brought me a gift certificate to Run Wild, a great local running and triathlon store in Alexandria. I lucked out and found some great deals on triathlon gear. I was able to get a Sugoi tri top and shorts for only $20 each - now that's a bargain. Granted, the shirt says "Groovy Girls Tri" all over it, but for that price I didn't really care what it said. I also got a swim cap and goggles and some cushioned Asics socks.
On Monday evening, we headed 45 minutes north to Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-uh-desh), LA. This is a really cute town - its big claim to fame is that Steel Magnolias was filmed here. Every Christmas season, they have a "lights festival." The town decorates the entire downtown area and all along the riverfront. Each Saturday in December they have a big fireworks show at the riverfront and boy is it crowded. People come from all over the state to the see the Natchitoches lights. We go there every year with Chad's family and I love it! Since we went on a Monday this year it wasn't very crowded at all. Chad's sister Payton and her husband Jay drove down from Shreveport to meet us for dinner and a stroll along the riverfront.
This picture doesn't really do the town any justice, but it is a picture of a decorated bridge. Each support piece of the bridge was also decorated and the lights were synchronized to music.
Chad's mom and dad, enjoying a funnel cake and hot chocolate.
Payton, Mrs. Suzy, and myself
Jay and Payton
Enjoying some hot chocolate - it was pretty cold that night!
Me and Chad
On Monday evening, we headed 45 minutes north to Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-uh-desh), LA. This is a really cute town - its big claim to fame is that Steel Magnolias was filmed here. Every Christmas season, they have a "lights festival." The town decorates the entire downtown area and all along the riverfront. Each Saturday in December they have a big fireworks show at the riverfront and boy is it crowded. People come from all over the state to the see the Natchitoches lights. We go there every year with Chad's family and I love it! Since we went on a Monday this year it wasn't very crowded at all. Chad's sister Payton and her husband Jay drove down from Shreveport to meet us for dinner and a stroll along the riverfront.
This picture doesn't really do the town any justice, but it is a picture of a decorated bridge. Each support piece of the bridge was also decorated and the lights were synchronized to music.
Chad's mom and dad, enjoying a funnel cake and hot chocolate.
Payton, Mrs. Suzy, and myself
Jay and Payton
Enjoying some hot chocolate - it was pretty cold that night!
Me and ChadHouston, TX Part 1
Chad and I flew into my hometown of Houston, TX on Friday, December 19th. We stayed in Clear Lake with my family until Sunday afternoon, then we headed east to Alexandria, LA to spend the week with Chad's family. On the Friday after Christmas, we drove back to Clear Lake to celebrate Christmas with my family. Then on Sunday night, we flew back to Kentucky. It was such a great trip - we always enjoying getting to spend time with our families as we live so far away.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, Chad and I got a great digital camera from my parents. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas adventures
at home in the south!
We went to Joe's Bar-B-Q in Alvin, TX on our first Saturday home. My parent's love this place - the last time they were there they saw Dusty Rhodes from ZZ Top eating some barbecue. Chad was really hoping that he would be there when we went, but alas, we didn't see any members of ZZ Top. I was kind of hoping we would see Nolan Ryan (Alvin is his hometown) but we didn't see him either. I'm not a huge barbecue fan, but I love this place because they have a pretty varied menu that includes hamburgers, chicken fried steak (my choice for the night), loaded baked potatoes, etc.
Me, Chad and my dad - enjoying Joe's.
My sister Michelle, my niece Brittany (wiping off a kiss on her cheek from my mom) and my mom at Joe's.
A not-so-subtle request I received from my niece, shortly before we left for Alexandria. We were talking about babies in general and she gave me this note - it says "Have a darn baby named after me! Mrs. Onion Pance (pants)." She drew a picture of a baby, but I thought it looked like an onion, so she started calling me Mrs. Onion Pants. It was kind of strange, but pretty funny.
Up next, part 2 of our trip - Alexandria, LA.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, Chad and I got a great digital camera from my parents. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas adventures
at home in the south!We went to Joe's Bar-B-Q in Alvin, TX on our first Saturday home. My parent's love this place - the last time they were there they saw Dusty Rhodes from ZZ Top eating some barbecue. Chad was really hoping that he would be there when we went, but alas, we didn't see any members of ZZ Top. I was kind of hoping we would see Nolan Ryan (Alvin is his hometown) but we didn't see him either. I'm not a huge barbecue fan, but I love this place because they have a pretty varied menu that includes hamburgers, chicken fried steak (my choice for the night), loaded baked potatoes, etc.
Me, Chad and my dad - enjoying Joe's.
My sister Michelle, my niece Brittany (wiping off a kiss on her cheek from my mom) and my mom at Joe's.
A not-so-subtle request I received from my niece, shortly before we left for Alexandria. We were talking about babies in general and she gave me this note - it says "Have a darn baby named after me! Mrs. Onion Pance (pants)." She drew a picture of a baby, but I thought it looked like an onion, so she started calling me Mrs. Onion Pants. It was kind of strange, but pretty funny.
Up next, part 2 of our trip - Alexandria, LA.
New Year Additions and Plans
Our friends, the Heron's, gave birth to their second beautiful daughter around 6:30am on New Year's Eve - welcome to the world Eloise!
Pictures and posts about Eloise and her big sister, Margot, can be found at Jason's blog at www.likethebird.blogspot.com
Having two weeks off from work has turned me into an absolute slug. I can't seem to get motivated to do anything! We were out of town and traveling for the first week, and it seems like I've spent this second week recuperating from our travels. I am really looking forward to getting back to work and getting into a consistent routine again. I am also excited about beginning my spring marathon and sprint triathlon training program on Monday, January 5th. My sister (her new blog can be found at www.texascrossfitter.blogspot.com) has started utilizing CrossFit workouts into her workout schedule. These are really intense workouts, but seem to be great for building endurance, strength, stamina and muscle tone. I am going to try and incorporate some of these workouts into my training this spring as well. I'm also hoping to pick up my rate of blogging as my training picks back up.
I'm really excited about training for a sprint triathlon. I've always said that I wanted to do triathlons, but I didn't have a bike and I didn't know how to swim. Well, now I have a great Specialized road bike and access to a heated indoor pool...so I don't really have any excuses any more to not do a triathlon. I think training for the Derby Festival marathon and the sprint triathlon at the same time will work well - the biking and swimming will help with my endurance and hopefully keep me from getting burnt out on running. The tricky part for me will be figuring out how I can run a long and steady pace for the marathon, and a fast pace for the triathlon's 5k. I'm hoping the speedwork I've incorporated into my marathon training will serve to help me in both the marathon and triathlon.
Chad and I had a wonderful Christmas with both of our families. My parents got us a gift that just keeps on giving - a great new digital camera! I am in love with it and we took so many pictures while we were in Houston, TX and Alexandria, LA for Christmas. I am going to be posting the pictures soon - it will probably take 3 or 4 posts to get them all on here! I'm hoping to get all of the pictures posted by the end of this weekend.
Happy new year!
Pictures and posts about Eloise and her big sister, Margot, can be found at Jason's blog at www.likethebird.blogspot.com
Having two weeks off from work has turned me into an absolute slug. I can't seem to get motivated to do anything! We were out of town and traveling for the first week, and it seems like I've spent this second week recuperating from our travels. I am really looking forward to getting back to work and getting into a consistent routine again. I am also excited about beginning my spring marathon and sprint triathlon training program on Monday, January 5th. My sister (her new blog can be found at www.texascrossfitter.blogspot.com) has started utilizing CrossFit workouts into her workout schedule. These are really intense workouts, but seem to be great for building endurance, strength, stamina and muscle tone. I am going to try and incorporate some of these workouts into my training this spring as well. I'm also hoping to pick up my rate of blogging as my training picks back up.
I'm really excited about training for a sprint triathlon. I've always said that I wanted to do triathlons, but I didn't have a bike and I didn't know how to swim. Well, now I have a great Specialized road bike and access to a heated indoor pool...so I don't really have any excuses any more to not do a triathlon. I think training for the Derby Festival marathon and the sprint triathlon at the same time will work well - the biking and swimming will help with my endurance and hopefully keep me from getting burnt out on running. The tricky part for me will be figuring out how I can run a long and steady pace for the marathon, and a fast pace for the triathlon's 5k. I'm hoping the speedwork I've incorporated into my marathon training will serve to help me in both the marathon and triathlon.
Chad and I had a wonderful Christmas with both of our families. My parents got us a gift that just keeps on giving - a great new digital camera! I am in love with it and we took so many pictures while we were in Houston, TX and Alexandria, LA for Christmas. I am going to be posting the pictures soon - it will probably take 3 or 4 posts to get them all on here! I'm hoping to get all of the pictures posted by the end of this weekend.
Happy new year!
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