My Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

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Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they've encountered during the week, etc.). 

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1) Happy Thanksgiving! Eat lots of turkey. Take a nap. Make it fun!!



2) After reading Mindy Kaling's latest book and hearing all about her show, The Mindy Project, I decided that I really needed to watch it. I signed up for Hulu and there began my The Mindy Project binge watching. So far, I have completed the 1st season and am on episode 21 in the 2nd season. I love it. She's hilarious. And I LOVE Danny (Chris Messina). He is officially my new Mr. Big!

3) I ended up having to defer on the Turkey Trot 5k this morning. Not happy about that at all. My leg is improving just a whole lot slower than anyone ever thought. My PT said that it might have been an Avulsion...which is basically when body structure is detached from its normal point of insertion torn away by trauma. Or in other words, pieces of bone likely detached with the muscle when the muscle strain occurred. Probably a lot more info that you wanted to know.

4) I've started book #4 for the month...might just make that goal if I can finish it in 6 days...which should be do-able as it's under 300 pages. 

5) I want this sweater from Gap sooooooo bad. And it is sold out everywhere including on-line. I have resorted to looking on Ebay for it. No luck so far. So sad. 

6) I'm not much of a Black Friday shopper, but we are going out tonight 6pm to Sears to get a new treadmill. It's too good a deal to pass up. I will be so happy to get back to my walking (and eventually running) routine.

7) That's all I got this week...gotta get back to watching The Mindy Project!!!

Bookish & Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

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Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they've encountered during the week, etc.). 

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1) I started this post last week but obviously never got back to finish it and actually post it.

2) It took 3-4 days to finally start to feel "normal" again after the 5k (speed) walk I did in Nashville. I know I'm not 100% though and probably will not run for the next couple weeks at least. I've already asked to defer on the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. If I should miraculously heal before then, I will run. I can let them know the day before, which is awesome. 

3) On Saturday morning, just before I got on the elliptical machine for 1 hour, my Fitbit died. Completely died. Not just the battery. Whole Fitbit unit dead. If I weren't so addicted to numbers & stats, I'd give up on Fitbit completely. This is probably the 3rd or 4th Zip unit I've had that has not lasted a full year. The bright side: I emailed Fitbit and they are sending me yet another Zip. For free. But still. A complete pain.


4) On Monday afternoon, as a "test" to see how my leg is healing (or not), I walked with my friend yesterday. We do a 3 mile mostly flat route. Well, let's just say that my entire hamstring was sore on Tuesday. Not good!! #HurtsJustSittingAtMyDesk #IGuessThisIsWhatGettingOldLooksLike

5) I'm still going to PT twice a week. They are using this scraper-like thing and running it down my hamstring. The objective is to get the hamstring to bleed microscopically so that the blood aids healing. Let's just say it doesn't feel so great. 

6) I am anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving Break. We are only off from Wed to Fri, but at this point, I'll take what I can get. By then, we will have had 56 consecutive days of school, no Fall Break, no Veteran's Day Break, no Random Historical/Presidential Guy Break. None. Thanksgiving Break is MUCH needed by many. The crazy train has started running here and needs to stop and quickly. #EmotionalEatingIsStarting


7) It's been 32 days since I last ran. Not good. Not only is this not good for my physically, but mentally as well. Frustrated is an understatement at this point. I'm also starting to wig out a bit as February is just around the corner and I need to be able to run that 1/2 marathon. The other crap news is that months ago I signed up for TWO 1/2 marathons in December. I will be at least walking one of them because they don't do deferrals or refunds.  I think I will be a last minute sign up person going forward. 

8) I am sad for a friend. After a brief "text-versation", I learned that things are not great (or good?) in their life and therefore they are not very happy and there is nothing I can do to help. I also really miss this friend. My heart hurts. 

9) My reading has slowed this week...I believe it's due to going to Yoga class vs. spending the time on the elliptical machine. I can read while on the elliptical, not so much while doing yoga. That's 2 hours of reading lost each week. I'm still reading "The Last Summer on Chelsea Beach" by Pam Jenoff and loving the story, hopefully I'll finish it this weekend? 

10) On Sunday, I'm headed to middle TN for a work conference. Staying overnight one night (all alone!!!) and I am most looking forward to the alone time and endless reading in my comfy hotel room. I guess I'll have to attend the sessions and I'm sure they will be great and informative, but I cannot deny my excitement for just being alone. With my books. Woot!

Zooma Women's Race - Nashville

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We spent the weekend in Nashville, initially so I could work the Zooma Women's Race Expo for Momentum Jewelry and then a few weeks ago (pre-injury) I decided to sign up for the 5k race. The Expo hours were 10am-6pm on Saturday. E & O were in and out throughout the day, taking time to enjoy a walk downtown and a children's park nearby. When they came back, Ethan and I enjoyed the backdrop for selfies.

Me, pretend running...you know...since I can't run in real life right now. Argh!!!

All day Saturday I went back & forth on whether to walk the race or not bother and just sleep in. 

Deferring and/or refunds were not an option. 

Ultimately, I decided that I wanted my medal, you know, since I paid a small fortune for the race anyway, and so I would walk the 5k. 

Easy peasy, right? 

 A couple pictures before the race started. 

It was a crisp morning, about 45 degrees at 8am. 

Walking through downtown, coming up on Margaritaville...way at the back of the pack of course, but there were plenty of people behind me. After we got home Sunday, I received an email with the results...which irritated me more....their mile markers were off by at least 1/10th of a mile. My Garmin hit each mile well before the signage and also reflected a better pace and finish time than the "official" race time. I was constantly checking my watch for pace throughout so I really think my watch was right. I've not had this happen at any other races, so pretty safe to say their markers were off. 

My official time...haha...if I had been healthy and running, I would have finished about #33, instead I came in at #83. :(  This injury is completely frustrating me. 

Honestly, I never should have done the race because I did not walk slow and after the first mile, my upper hamstring was not happy. By the time we got home, my shin was hurting which probably means I was compensating somehow with all the walking I did yesterday. When I woke this morning, the shin was somewhat better but not 100%. Normally I would go to the gym after work today but instead E and I will go see the Peanuts movie tonight. Resting is hard and especially so right now as I was in such a good groove, lost 11-12lbs so far, running regularly, eating pretty well and now all exercise stops. My mood will probably take a dive too. Ugh!  

I really need to take a break and fully heal though so I can be completely ready for the WDW Princess Half Marathon weekend. The last thing I want to do is to have to cancel that trip. I'm so excited about it so that will be my motivation to rest and get my hamstring back in good shape. 

A couple things about the Zooma race that sorta "irked" me...(1) their website is consistently confusing...there were 2 different sets of Expo hours listed up until 2 weeks ago...and (2) part of the "goodie bag" included a Zooma Journal...now, I realize it's probably just a book with blank paper, but I love things like that and typically the shirts are nothing for me to write home about and my plan for them is to make a quilt eventually...so I was looking forward to this journal item. In my bag...no journal. I asked about it...the gal said it must have been a typo on the website. What? Really? Nobody proofreads or what? It just gives off a very unpolished feel to the race/company for me. Not sure I'll be rushing out to do another one of their races. Did I mention the medals were super-blah?

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

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Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they've encountered during the week, etc.). 

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1) I finished reading Gods & Kings last night. Not a typical book I would choose to read but I'm trying to be a good book club member. With the exception of making up my own pronunciation of most of the characters names, it was a fairly quick and easy read. I may even read the next one in the series!!


2) I have gotten completely sucked in to watching THE VOICE. I will vote for Regina Love each and every week. She has some crazy talent. I loved her rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia"...oh yeah!!! Watch the video. You won't be disappointed. 

3) Speaking of TV, I'm totally ready for finale week of Project Runway...we are down to the wire. It's Fashion Week in NYC!!! Tonight! I'm on Team Ashley. Not a fan of the #meangirls Candice & Kelly.

4) I've been really feeling the need for a mental health (reading) day. I don't think I'll have the opportunity to actually follow through on this as the next two weeks are full of commitments at work that would affect others if I weren't here. I can't even leave early or take a 1/2 day as I have dismissal duty every single day and it's very difficult to find someone to cover that. Ack! Thank goodness Thanksgiving break is coming up fairly soon.

5) So very happy to report major progress in healing of my beloved hamstring. I went to the doc on Monday morning in more pain than I had had in the past two weeks. So strange. He gave me a fabulous anti-inflammatory and sent me for some physical therapy sessions. After taking ONE pill on Monday night, I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I could run for days...seriously - that is some good stuff I guess. I went to PT Wed and will go again on Fri just to get the extra stretching (and massage!) on my hamstring to ensure I'll be good for Sunday. Yay for getting back into a routine. I sure hope that I don't pull it on a regular basis now. 

6)  This is what I have chosen to read next. I laughed almost non-stop while reading her first book and suspect (or expect?) that I will do the same for this one. Looking forward to a light, easy & quick read. Yay!

7) Heading to Nashville Saturday to work a race expo - so fun!! The swag bag for the race is pretty awesome...but the cost of the 5k was also significantly higher than most...but it should be worth it. I'm pretty excited. It will be cold though!! 43 degrees at 8am - race start time. Brrr!

8) Speaking of cold....if you have a GAP card, run, don't walk, to the store NOW...40% off everything, but GAP cardholders get 50% off 5 items and then 40% anything else. I have been wanting to try their running leggings for quite a while as I have none that are full length, only capris. I went over there last night and scored big!!! For $100 I got 2 pair of leggings (might return one though) and also a super cute sweater. One pair of leggings is mostly Polyester and the other is Nylon....the Nylon pair feels thinner, but my mom says they'll keep me warm(er)...I like the feel of the Polyester and they are the only ones I tried on last night - they seem thicker/sturdier...might hold my fat in place better (truth!)...I'll try the Nylon ones on tonight and decide whether I'll keep them. 

9) The dreaded Dollar General being built DIRECTLY outside my neighborhood AND in the middle of a residential area (!!!) is just about done. It makes me want to puke. I need to eventually just accept that it is there because there are few things worse than approaching your home and becoming completely pissed off. Unfortunately, I think this may take a while, because the Grand Opening signs and traffic will surely make me fly off the handle. 

10) And I'll finish by saying that #9 is just one more reason (as if I needed another) to dislike living in Knoxville, TN....AKA "Town of Good Ol' Boy" mentality. It's sickening. Truly. Many people opposed the store being built there and yet the 100 year old MEN who sit on the Metro (joke!) Planning Committee went ahead and voted for it's construction. Once again, money talks. I'm pretty sure THIS store is not going to bring a whole lot of jobs and/or money to the city. I, for one, will NEVER, and I mean NEVER stop there...I am never in need so desperately for milk or bread that I would go there. I will happily drive a few more miles to buy elsewhere....as I wave (with one finger) to DG as I pass by. 

I'm thankful...

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It's the month of GRATITUDE...and so here is a list of things I am thankful for...I'm the first to admit that recognizing what I should be thankful for is a challenge for me...so this took many days to put together. Don't judge. At least I own it. :)

1. I'm thankful for road trips with O & E. Got one this weekend. Woot!

2. I'm thankful for two pain-free fully functioning knees.

3. I'm thankful for Hershey’s chocolate.

4. I'm thankful for nightly reading time with Ethan.

5. I'm thankful for Project Runway…those people have mad skillz.

6. I'm thankful for my iPad, which I use primarily for reading.

7. I'm thankful for Ethan’s random "I love you more!” exclamations.

8. I'm thankful for Caramel Pumpkin Swirl wallflowers from Bath & Body Works. They smell delicious. 

9. I'm thankful for pedicures. 

10. I'm thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper, whether it’s bad for me or not.

11. I'm thankful for consistency. In many areas.

12. I'm thankful for weekends.

13. I'm thankful for hot showers.

14. I'm thankful for people who are genuine.

15. I'm thankful for v-neck running shirts. 

16. I'm thankful for good listeners, though it seems that they are a dying breed.

17. I'm thankful for people who are understanding & open-minded. Another dying breed.

18. I'm thankful for technology...I love my iPhone and iPad. 

19. I'm thankful for work days that fly by.

20. I'm thankful that my hamstring is finally on the mend.

November Goals

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I have a few things I'd like to get done this month and thought maybe if I document them, they may actually (magically) happen...right?

1) Read 4 books. Yeah...that's 1 per week....and that has not happened all year. In fact, I'm so far behind on my reading goal that the only way I'll reach it is if I adjust it down. (Or take a whole lot of sick days) Not sure what happened this year on reading....well, I do but there's no point in going down that road.

2) Make 8 blog posts. That's a 100% increase in what I've been doing...lately I've only been posting 1 time per week...reasons: no time and nothing worthwhile to write about.

3) Run the 2 races I'm currently signed up for this month. I'm still bummed I had to cancel on my 4 miler on Oct 31. I'm headed to the doctor today so hopefully I'll get some solution or healing plan on the hamstring situation. It's been 2 full weeks with NO improvement. Not good....especially since I'm signed up for TWO 1/2 marathons in December. 

4) Remove the broken treadmill from my house. It's been sitting in my bedroom for 3+ weeks now. It has wheels on it. It should not be too difficult to move out with a little help from the hubs. I put it on the wipe board this weekend and it still didn't (magically?) happen. Ugh. I want it out.

5) Organize my closet. It's usually pretty well organized, but the shelf part has become a "catch-all" recently and desperately needs some tidying up. If people would just buy my stuff on Poshmark, the cleanup would be a lot simpler. 

6) Re-focus my eating habits. Since the running has been put on hiatus, the eating is not as disciplined...if this goes on much longer, it could pose a real problem. I am truly stressed about it. Look at my teenage-ish face and you'll see I'm telling the truth. 

7) This one really stretches into December, but since it starts in November, I'm listing it here. I really want to run 1 mile a day from Thanksgiving morning through to the end of the year. I've seen online people who have done this and while 1 mile is pretty short, the long commitment will be a challenge, especially on any traveling days. Anyway, I just hope I'm healed up and ready to go, especially since I'm already registered for a 5k on Thanksgiving morning.