A Drawback and a New Project

Apologies first off for not having been as consistent as I would like these last several days.... I really have not been all that motivated!

Some updates -

The running has been going really well. I'm halfway through the 8-week program, and I can already tell my endurance is starting to build. I love feeling capable like this.

I lost about 5 pounds last week within a few days, so that was a super nice surprise. Currently, I'm not exactly sure how I weigh, but I'm sure it's around the good weight.

A new development and unfortunate shortcoming is that I have a kidney infection of all things! I noticed a pain in my right side last Saturday night, felt feverish, later took my temperature, and discovered I had a slight fever of 101.3 degrees. My first reaction was dread that I would get Cillian sick with a fever, or Caleb. Better me than either of them!

Sunday night, I researched my symptoms and figured out that I probably had a kidney infection. Monday morning, I called urgent care and went in to get checked and they confirmed it. I got the antibiotics right away and have been on them for nearly four days. My side is still sore (almost a post-surgery soreness, but as I've never had surgery I'm not entirely sure...), but improving slightly, so I think the antibiotics are working. They said if the pain gets worse than it was originally, I should go to the ER. That would be exciting!

But I'm sure I'll be feeling better very soon. The sad thing about all of this is that I'm taking a week off from running, if not more time. It's absolutely killing my momentum. I was doing SO well, and now I'm slipping behind. I'm halfway through it, so all I really have to do is to pick it up again. But I'm debating on whether or not to repeat the last week of running I did and then go on, just to ease into it. Suggestions and advice would be very welcome on this subject. :)

On a very exciting note, I have decided to make stockings for me, Caleb, and Cillian for this Christmas! I'm super thrilled about it. I'm designing them and then I'm going to hand-sew them, since a) I don't own a sewing machine and b) I think it'll be more special. Yes, I'm aware that it will take me a considerably longer time finishing them this way, but I know I can do it, so I'm going to.

On Tuesday, I took a spin in Hobby Lobby (my favorite store) and found all kinds of wonderful potential materials for the stockings. That inspired the official designing. I'm not going to purchase anything until I know exactly what I need. They are going to be the most awesome looking stockings ever... I can't wait to start.

While I'm on the subject of projects and crafty-type things, I finished the scarf I was knitting, and now I'm on to some more knitting. I always have to have something going on with my hands. And that's why knitting is perfect for me! I bought a beautiful cream yarn as well as a deep wine red yarn in one of my favorite brands, Caron. It's so silky and soft, and it just makes gorgeous scarves.

So, I'm experimenting with some more knit patterns for these two yarns. I'm having a bit of trouble with the checkered pattern I wanted to try, but I'll figure it out.

Here's to recovering from infections, starting new projects, and getting motivated to keep working hard!

I hope you are having a thoroughly thoughtful Thursday.

Cheers.


Here's the Quote of the Day:

"Silence is golden - duct tape is silver."

~ Anonymous

Sparta, Here I Come...

Ok, so I'm not and probably never will run 150 miles like the legendary Phidippides did to Sparta and back (and yes, I did look up his name...) but boy, am I sore today.

Last night's workout was good, and I can really tell I've got muscles now. My ankles and knees are feeling particularly stressed. I try to keep telling myself that my body isn't used to running with 40 extra pounds and that is probably contributing to my joints feeling strained. I love this complete body burn though. It feels really nice. And it means something is working. I can feel it in my arms and torso (mostly the oblique ab muscles), and in my hips and calves and ankles.

Watch out people. I'm becoming a runner.

I finally have some sneakers to run in, which is very helpful in making me motivated to hit the treadmill. I had been running in some brown, kind of hiking shoes. Definitely not enough arch support with those. But now I have some running shoes - they're not very good - but they are running shoes, and a pretty good sports bra which makes me feel nice and athletic. It's so tempting to splurge a bunch of money on running things now. It's amazing how wearing cool running clothes can have such an effect on one's motivation.

I'm very much looking forward to today's workout, which is simply the 30-minute walk. I think I'll take Cillian outside in the stroller. He loves going for walks and it looks like it will be the perfect day outside.

Alright. The dreaded weekly weigh-in... The numbers are higher than I'd like - 170.4. But there you go - I'm aiming to lose thirty pounds and get down to what I think will be a healthy 140 for now.

I don't really feel like doing anything productive today. Breakfast was really nice this morning, but I'm still pretty sleepy. I really just want to schlep around today and not do anything but watch Eureka (a sci-fi kind of show I like that is on Instant Play Netflix - dangerous...), eat, and play with Cillian. I think the fact that hearing him sleeping over the monitor is also factoring in to my being a bit groggy.

But there is laundry to finish, a kitchen to straighten up, there's always some tidying up that can be done in our bedroom and in the living room... Schlep.

Cillian is making cute little drowsy yawning sounds over the monitor.

Schlep.

Gracious, I think I might just take a little nap. I'll sign out by giving you the Quote of the Day:

"Marriage is the key of moderation and the harmony of the desires, the seal of a deep friendship... the unique drink from a fountain enclosed, inaccessible to those without. United in the flesh, one in spirit, they urge each other on by the goad of their mutual love. For marriage does not remove God, but brings all closer to Him, for it is God Himself who draws us to it."

~ St. Gregory the Theologian (from "Preserve Them, O Lord" by Fr. John Mack)

That is one of my very favorite depictions of what marriage looks like.