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November, 2008:

Last Day

Nov 30th, 2008
by gazelle.
5 comments

It’s the end of the month. AND, I posted every day this month! Yay me! (Although, technically, there are more than 30 posts in 30 days – I always was an over-achiever!)

I just got back from a craptastic run – you know those kind. You start out, things seem to be going well, and then it all goes to shit.

I ended up doing a 2 mile loop today – and to be honest, only ran just over a mile of that loop.

My right arch started to ache, and then my ankle started to hurt, and then the knee…at one point, I contemplated calling the architect to come fetch me. I did run up the big hill – which was actually the least painful part of the run, but then walked the rest of the way home.

I know that to avoid further injury, it’s really important to stop when things hurt – and I’m not sure that I could’ve run through that pain (I think the hike yesterday took a lot more out of me than I thought), but it sucks the big one to only get 1/3 of the planned mileage in – especially when my long runs are still so piddly (I miss my 8-10 long mile weekends).

I have not yet been able to break past the 5 mile mark, and today was supposed to be the day. I am going to try again tomorrow morning (I have PT & yoga in the afternoon), and have a 5-mile tempo planned on Tuesday, so it’s not like this is the end of the world – just instead of feeling great, I feel cranky.

Hrumph!

Anyways – I have a lot to get done today: laundry, ironing, potting, dishes, dinner…..

Don’t forget to enter the contest for the holiday gift basket!

Weekend Day 3 of 5

Nov 29th, 2008
by gazelle.
10 comments

I am loving this five-day weekend! I wish every weekend was this long.

It’s been a great few days. After the Turkey Trot on Thursday (and the mimosas) I made a butternut squash gratin casserole & some chocolate/pumpkin brownies for dinner.

The architect & I headed over to my cousin’s to help her finish up her cooking & help her drink before the first guests arrived. It’s awesome living that close to her – it’s just a quick jog home for cinnamon sticks & whole cloves!

We had a pretty good time, but ended up leaving earlier than we’d planned.

Friday we slept in a bit, and then went to brunch with my cousin & her boyfriend. Then, I lazed some more & worked on our budget some more. Since we’d left my cousin’s before pie time, we headed back over to her house to pick up our stuff (table, chairs, crockpot, etc.) and get some pie!

Today was another lazy morning, followed by a beautiful 4.5 mile hike in the fog & mist past several waterfalls. We started at Multnomah Falls & ended at Wahkeena Falls.

Tonight, I made & canned 7 more pints of pumpkin butter, made some vanilla-rum extract (or at least started the process) and had some nog. YUM!

It’s been a great day….and still two more days of weekend fun! Tomorrow I’m planning on a run & then a number of household projects (button sewing, hemming, ironing – you know, the exciting stuff!).

Now that THAT’S over….

Nov 28th, 2008
by gazelle.
21 comments

It’s [insert the December holiday of your choice] time! And, if you picked Christmas, but have not yet purchased some Christmas cards, I am here to help!

There is a wonderful assortment of cards available at The Onion (as well as some gift boxes, if you have that kind of expendable income).

AND – if you leave a comment on this post between now & December 4 at 11:59 PM (Pacific time), you will be entered to win a fabulous winter holiday gift basket. It is fabulous because I say so, obviously. It is a sampling of the fantastic nearly free, but still classy gifts that I will be gifting those who usually get gifts. You can keep the wonderfulness for yourself, or you can specify a recipient (thus cutting down on your gift budget this year).

Items may include: bath salts, pumpkin butter, cookie collections, maybe something more manly than bath salts, and definitely something chocolate.  And probably a surprise (as I’m still working out the details).

Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 27th, 2008
by gazelle.
7 comments

Just an abbreviated post today…

I am thankful for the ability to run 4 hilly miles in the cold on Thanksgiving morning – and although I did not beat my goal time of 45 minutes – I was in at 45:30 according to my Garmin & 46:46 according to the finish line clock – I did it with no pain.

I am thankful that I don’t have to spend alcohol-free family gatherings, and instead get to hang out with friends & my locally-based cousin.

I am thankful for the internet!

I am thankful for champagne (mmmm…mimosas).

I am thankful for the wonderful blogging/running community in Portland. I got to meet yet another running blogger, and got to hang with Junk Miles, too (who did the run before flying away).

I am thankful for the architect, who went to the market this morning to get me champagne for my mimosas & surprised me with the gift of pastries, too! (Also, he chopped & sauteed the onions for my butternut squash gratin.)

I hope you all have a wonderful day!  Cheers.

Quote of the Day

Nov 26th, 2008
by gazelle.
6 comments

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. 
Elbert Hubbard

I think that’s a pretty good summation…the only way to never be criticized is to never do anything. And who wants to be that person? Not me! I think that this year I’m thankful for the fact that no matter what, I’ve always managed to regain my sense of self and my willingness to stand up for what I believe in – even if I do alienate some of my Facebook friends :)

Check back tomorrow if you want to know what else I’m thankful for.

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