Ten Miles in Numbers

1 yellow poncho I started wearing because of the threat of rain but ended up stuffing it in my pocket because at was completely obnoxious

2 cars passed me and I was even running a main road around here. No kidding.

3 miles with rain

4 toppings I added to my ice cream without any worry or guilt

6 blisters on my toes since I wore my waterproof hiking shoes instead of my running shoes

8 miles where the wind pushed me to help me run 10 minute miles

9 points Grammar Girl told me about how to leave blog comments

12 minutes miles when almost being blown over by the side wind

31 mile an hour wind

38 minutes I kept my brain distracted by listening to a thought provoking, well presented sermon. Very convicting. I would highly recommend listening to it. 

105 total minutes

Next Sunday here I come and let the wind be always at my back!

Ya Ya Issue

I have found a new annoying issue to conquer. I was intently listening to a mom of one of my student's explain what she was wanting for her son and providing unconscious-verbal-feedback-at-the-appropriate-times. Another teacher in the room all of a sudden chimes in when the mom takes a break,

"What Julie means by 'ya' 'ya' (think short and a slightly nasal sounding) is...."

I wanted to redo my unconscious-verbal-feedback-at-the-appropriate-times right there on the spot. It sounded so ugly and gross when I someone helped me finally hear what I was saying.

Then yesterday I heard myself do it again! It was disgusting once more and I vowed to change.

No more short, nasal, ugly sounding 'ya' 'ya''s are going to be unconsciously coming out of this mouth!

(This issue is a lot better than the one I dreamed and thought in my dream that I was going to have to blog about. That was a dinner disaster with company over that I hope never occurs in my lifetime!)

Spreading the Word

I'd like to let you in on a very interesting thought process I've had since starting Robertson Electric.

With wanting to get a new business started my brain goes into this mode of "how can I let that random person know that we have an electrical business so they call us when they need electrical work done?" when I see someone who may not know what we have to offer. Make sense?

One evening we were at our neighborhood park in Lincoln. Another couple and their grandchildren were there playing too. We didn't know them at all, but my brain went into the above mentioned mode. I start thinking I should start up a conversation with them and maybe it would lead to letting me tell them about Robertson Electric. It then occurred to me I've got my priorities mixed up. Shouldn't I be more concerned about starting up a conversation to tell them about how amazing Jesus is? Yes, I should. 

That's all there is to my thought process. Sorry if you were hoping it might be more interesting.

The good thing is now I have a constant reminder. I still see someone and wonder how I can let them know about Robertson Electric, but that just reminds me I really need to figure out how to tell them about all Jesus has done for them. Who knew that starting a business could grow me in so many ways?

Monster Month - Updated!

 In the next 2 weeks, I'm supposed to run a total of something like 29 miles. I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not.

I had a great 5 mile run this morning. I stepped on something in the middle of it and twisted my ankle. It hurt but I ran through it and the pain went away until about 2 hours later. Then I went to 'town' to mail something for my favorite electrician, limped through the park, made a painful emergency potty stop for the 2 year old at the local restaurant and started for home. The pain go so bad I had to pull over, put my head down and crank the air, or I would've passed out. For real.

I made it home, popped pills as fast as I could (and I usually avoid medication like the plague), lost my cool with my overly fussy 2 year old who clearly didn't understand I was in pain and unable to meet her every need right when she needed it met, and hopped and crawled around until relief came (from the meds and from my favorite electrician.)

Now I sit here with a great excuse to blog and sit in front of my computer through all of nap time. 

I will be running that race on May 2nd. At least that's what I'm telling myself now. How long can a sprain last? All advice is welcome.

-------

I think you need a big update on the people I know running this race. It's drastically different from the last time I told you about it.


Ashley - she's still in!
Brooke - works full time, mom to 2 kids, afraid she wouldn't be able to train
Dennis - lives up north where the sidewalks were ice covered for the first several weeks where we needed to be training, got a big promotion (we're very proud of him) and goes to work hours before the sun comes up and might make it home an hour before it goes down.
Jill - SHE'S PREGNANT! Instead of having her as a running partner, I gain a new niece or nephew! I'm ecstatic!
Katie - she's still in!
Luke - I'm not sure what his excuse is but I bet he has one.
Rob - one of the many who didn't get signed up in time.

Two out of the seven are still in. That's something. Thankfully I've learned of more runners since then.

Annie - Brooke's sister. She will finish well before me with a pace of 9 - 10 minute miles and a focus well beyond mine. Watch for red, curly hair, and an ipod.
Charles - my cousin - remember him, the most eligible bachelor in the Midwest? He's still eligible as far as I know.
Julie - a fellow SLP! She actually ran it pregnant last year. 
Katie - my sister-in-law, (who nicely provided me with a wrap for my ankle today). Her and her sister are training for a full marathon in Oklahoma.  
Sami - Katie's sister. I think she's another one of those crazy fast runners that will finish well before me.
Shauna - she's a new blogger and a great college friend. If I run with no one else, I know I'll be running with her. As far as I know, she's still an 11 minute mile friend.

Any one else out there?

Now to just hope that I can walk in the morning.......


UPDATE:
It's morning, and I can walk! It's amazing. I promise I was in MAJOR pain 24 hours ago. Now I'm walking almost normal without any pain medication. Can anyone explain how that could be to me? I think we should call it a miracle. Why not? It's still tender but I'm at least hopeful I'll run on it this week!

Flat Cookie Issue

See those cookies? FLAT! I wasted an entire nap time plus some on these Iced Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies. (Only follow that link if you will not think less of me as a person when you compare my cookies to Martha's.) Although I still like eating them, they are not worthy of sharing with others like I had eagerly anticipated while I was mixing up the batter. They are practically paper thin and not visually appealing, as if you needed me to tell you that.

Martha failed me, or maybe I failed Martha. I can't seem to make a non flat cookie unless I make a cookie with so much in it that it maintains it's ball shape and crumbles all over when you bite into it. I don't consider myself a bad cook. I like to bake, was in 4-H, inherited good baking genes, lived in Love Hall, usually make edible things and know how to follow directions...most of the time.

I took exception on this pan to the direction that said "baking sheets lined with parchment paper,"

and although I did use parchment paper on this pan, I was unable to follow the direction that said, "bake cookies until golden and just set" due to a child occupying me. It was clearly not my day for cookies.

Really, usually I don't have those issues, just the issue of the flat cookie. I was actually discussing this with a friend a few days ago. We thought that it's related to your butter needing to be room temperature. Well, Martha told me to melt it. I thought she would know, so I followed that direction. Do you think I should have disregarded her direction?  I would love to know your thoughts on how to not make flat cookies because I am sick of all my cookies being 1 mm thick and spread out all over the pan!

Please help me!

Okay I know my drizzling is probably driving you crazy too. I admit it. I have issues with drizzling too.