In Tribute to Our Elvis Loving Friends

While shopping at WalMart (AGAIN!) we found these little numbers and they immediately made me picture GeekGirl and S Baboo and their Vegas Marathon dressed as Elvis. So of course, we had to buy them. There are still some left so either they are weird or we are sick of eating sweets.









Behold the counter full of junk food it had to contend with last night - my stomach hurts just looking at it again......

Merry Christmas To Y'All!

Hope you all have a great day, get lots of good stuff, and eat til ya puke.

(Or enjoy that Chinese food and movies! )

We have lots of company this week so we will catch up with you all next week.

Tagged by Cindy

I have been tagged by Cindy, so here goes:
So here are 5 unusual or interesting things you may not know about me:
1) I hate getting flowers. It took me years to get Mike to stop sending them to me. They are expensive and they don't last long at all. I never remember to water them, never remember to throw them out til they stink. Now, that's not to say I don't enjoy cuttings from someones garden, that is a little different.
2) I am obsessed with shoes. I love to buy them and I love to covet them on other people. One of the first things I look at when I see people are their feet to see what shoes they have on. One of my favorite pairs EVER was a pair of neon blue calfskin ankle boots I bought on the Loop in Chicago in high school. They laced up and kind of looked like elf shoes. I have no idea what happened to them, but if they were still around I would wear them every day. I actually think the shoe fetish comes from being so heavy for so long - the shoe department is the one place where I could talk shopping with everyone, I didn't have to go to a special fat girl section of the store.
3) If you tell me I can't do something, I will do it simply to prove you wrong. I am just that stubborn. And I will do it all pissed off with a chip on my shoulder.
4) I am horribly messy, even though I try really hard to keep my things cleaned up. I keep everything because "I might need that later" and it piles up everywhere. My fear is that someday, I will be the little old lady whose house is just packed with collections of CRAP I can't part with, with only little narrow paths so I can get to my bed and the bathroom.........
5) I have a lot of fun reading blogs and following what people are doing with them. I think it is just a little weird and awkward to meet these people in person. It just seems totally creepy to go up to someone and say "Hello there internet friend, I'm J-Wim..." . It' feels a little like Peter Parker introducing himself as Spiderman, which would never happen - the superhero persona is supposed to be kept a secret..... Plus, I am often just at a loss for small talk, so these meetings are sometimes really really awkward.

Now for the forward tags: How about......... Michele, Tracy, Renae, Brigitte, Regina. Let's hear it ladies.

No Butt Pictures At All

Misty pointed out recently that there has been a theme to the pictures I have chosen for my posts and as I look back, there does seem to be a trend toward the cherubic bare bottom. So I am making a concerted effort to make some more clothed choices, at least for a little bit here. Just thank your lucky stars they weren't pictures of my ACTUAL butt........ bullet dodged. WHEW!

Tuesday as many of you know was Big Mike's 40th birthday. No exercise was performed that day. The original plan was to go to SWAT swim and bring treats. Due to a huge snow and ice storm though school were closed and since we swim at one of the middle school pools, swimming was also cancelled. Instead we took Mike to Red Robin for the best burgers in the world. We were careful to let the cat slip out of the bag to our server. Before we knew it the servers swarmed around him to sing . They asked him his name, he answered "Miguel" and they announced that it was Miguel's birthday. (He later decided that if he had been thinking more quickly, he should have said his name was McLovin, like the dorky kid from SuperBad - we thankful his brain was in slo-mo). The song they sing goes "happy, happy, happy birthday" but Mike usually sings along to it (when we have been there in the past to observe) and his version goes "happy, happy F'ing birthday" so we were glad he didn't choose to sing along. When they were done, Mike sucked the helium out of the balloons and talked in funny voices and we headed home. He may be 40 on the outside, but he is more like 12 on the inside. Don't let him fool you into believing he is a grown up - he is totally lying.

Wednesday night after work I was scheduled for a tempo run but it was so slippery out, I couldn't go. Instead I sat on the spinner and did some drills while I watched the movie Waitress. The movie was about a waitress in a pie diner who finds out she is pregnant and has a schmuck husband - the theme was how pie was a metaphor for life and the life cycle. Although I will never get the 1:45 of my life back I spent watching this stinker, I did get in a great spin workout, so I guess it evens out in the end.

Thursday was again swim night. We went to swim and I had the best intentions of trying the B workout instead of the C, which is a little lighter. About 1400 yds into the workout, I saw my BIL Jeff waving to me to get out the pool and come over by him and the lifeguard her was talking to. Apparently, he somehow got his finger caught in a hole in the top of the table he was sitting on. And it wouldn't come out. And he was getting kind of vaso-vagal so Jeff wanted his nursey friend there right quick. The guard says "I think I 'm gonna pass out" and I said in my best nursey voice "I think so too - even your lips are white.......put your head between your knees cause I don't want to have to catch you when you fall....." We tried some ice to try to shrink the finger. Didn't budge. We lubed it up with conditioner out of my swim bag. Didn't budge. There are always janitors around the building int he evening, so I set out to find one that could bring a tool or two. As I trotted off sown the hall in my swimsuit and swim cap, I realized that it was Christmas Choir Concert night and the halls outside the pool were FILLED with middle school students and parents. And I am walking through them in my wet swimsuit - Choice. I flagged down a teachery looking guy who happened to be the vice principal, told him to find one of his guys and bring the big tools. He decided that it would be better to call 911, which he did. So, before we know it there is a pile of firemen and paramedics there to rescue our lifeguard. Five minutes later he was free, but by that time, it was time to pick Lucas up from work so we were done. Turns out the guy is a swim coach and was covering for one of his swimmers who was supposed to guard. He gave the teachers there a pretty good laugh once he finally was set free.

This morning I got up early for the SWAT pancake run. I knew I would be running way behind the group so I tried to make it clear I didn't want anyone to wait for me or try to shepherd me in. It was absolutely gorgeous out. 22 degrees so it was was pretty cold, but it was snowing the whole time - great big huge fluffy flakes- which was just so cool. I was feeling really "on" today so after finishing up the 5 miler I drove home and ran another 3. It was awesome. We have had a ton of snow and ice lately and the sidewalks are pretty poorly shoveled for the most part, if at all and most of the corners are plowed in and no one shoveled them back out, so really it was more of a trail run today to keep from slip-sliding away or falling off snow mounds. Time was pretty slow, but really more as a result of me trying to be careful than having problems running. I got the Yaktrax I ordered in today's mail, so I will have try them out soon and see if it makes a difference.

Tomorrow I'll do another long spin to start off the training week and then we will get serious about scrubbing up the house for Christmas festivities.

Hey Y'all

Where did I leave off?

Friday I took a little run by myself before dark in the slush and cold. Not much to brag about but got it done. It is a real challenge to try to the specific workouts (tempos, keeping certain paces, etc) when trying to combat the uneven terrain of Midwestern snowy sidewalks. Some people shovel a little, a lot, or not at all - and forget about the corners - those suckers are so heavy that if you don't have a snowblower I pretty much have to jump a mountain and cross my fingers. It really is more of a trail run than a track workout, at least that's how I'm counting it.... Got in 4.3 miles.

Saturday and Sunday were really do-nothing days workout-wise. I had good intentions, they just fell apart somewhere along the way. We did the last of the Christmas shopping except for a few odds and ends. Found a superdeal from Costco on 305s (got 2) and also found a sweet deal on a Digital SLR camera and lens (I am sick of expecting professions shots from a pocket camera). Chalk that up to Christmas presents to myself.

Saturday night after going for cake and birthday fun for my niece Taylor, we went to the SWAT Christmas party at Kitty's place, which by the way was the fanciest house I have ever been inside. Really......like million dollar house nice.......like at least 8-10 bedrooms and bathrooms nice...... like I went to Africa and shot all the rugs you are standing on kind of unusual. Dave and his band played for us and we all got dressed up in our fancy clothes, Spandex and tennies were banned for the night. It was a blast. I think Mikey is posting pictures on the SWAT site.

Tonight after work, Mike and I went for another slush run. It's kind of challenging and I don't think Mike liked it much (cold and wet) but we did it and lived to tell the tale.

Tomorrow, be sure to go to Mike's blog and wish the old fart a happy birthday........... He's 40 now, by the way, officially in a new age group. Shouldn't be long now before all conversation leads to talk of early bird specials, senior discounts, constipation, and the state of his bowels.

Another Day of Snow and Surf

Tuesday and today were swim days. Tuesday we did the SWAT practice and followed the workouts Alison posted for us. I love it that she plans those out or I would probably end up swimming the same mindless plodding laps each time. I watched Tina doing laps of fly, which incidentally was my stroke once upon a time in the distant past, so I gave it a whirl myself. I did a 50 of fly and it was super fun. Mike was watching me as I came to the end of the length of the pool so I asked how it looked - he said "it looked like you were laughing"...... I guess I was, I had no idea I still had it in me anymore and I was enjoying it although it didn't feel nearly as fluid as when I was a kid. Anyhow, got in 1600 yds of 100 repeats on Tuesday, then did 1850 in a mixed 50s, 100s, and 25s tonight.

Both days were snowy and put our little clown cars to the test. They are a big change from the the 4WD SUVs for sure! I used the snow blower yesterday for the first time ever Wednesday after work - Man that was an adventure! I am not strong enough to manage that machine by myself but I bet I gave the neighbors a laugh. I hope no one heard the F bomb drop as I blew off the sidewalk that goes nowhere, right about the place where the blower dropped off the last flat and ended up spewing dirt all over.

My sister Tracy sent us the funniest thing today, thought I would share the video of the Keeney girls elfed up. I laughed so hard I think I peed a little.

Taking my life in my Hands

Today, I spent the day trying to figure out if it were possible to run outside. I scoped out the sidewalks and streets as I drove to work. I checked out the windows of the 5th Floor where I work. How icy is too icy? How well did my friends and neighbors shovel? Saturday we got dealt an icy mess. First there was snow. Followed by sleet, then freezing rain, then slush. Made for a yucky slippery mess, and people did their best to scrape the crap off their walks with varying degrees of success. (mini RANT: I can't stand it when people think it's OK to not shovel at all - no attempt- I know you were home, I saw your tire tracks!! Just plain lazy and dangerous!)

I am also working on a training plan to get ready for my first marathon in May and them 2 Half-Irons later in the summer. The training plan started um.... yesterday. What did I do yesterday? A whole lot of nothing. I went shopping and folded laundry, but I don't think that qualifies as cardio. So today I was itching to do something - I can't get off track ALREADY!

When I got home from work, I made the decision to run outside. I laced up the kicks, bundled up and took off, flashers on my arm bands and miners light in my back pocket. Much of the run I had to run in the street, although the parking lanes were mostly as icy as the walkways . I had to slow down lots not because I was tired, but because I didn't want to spin ass over teakettle down the sidewalk like a curling stone. My goal pace according to RWOL Smart Coach was 13:19/mi (I think that's wrong - don't think even I can run that slow), so my 12:04 avg pace was not too bad. Actually it wasn't too bad for me WITHOUT the ice lately......

When I got home, I got my butt cheeks thawed out, then hopped on the spinner to make up for a part of yesterday's planned bike that I blew off. Punished myself for another half hour or so with some drills : sprints, SLPs, standups, and so on.

Tomorrow: SWAT swim

Wed: Another after work run (Supposed to snow, so maybe will try spin class instead)

Thurs: SWAT swim

Fri: Spinner and yoga

Sat/Sun: Some other sort of self-punishment for extended periods of time - a long run and bike of some sort.

Holiday Greetings from the Wimmer Boys

Guess how thrilled the Wimmer boys are about having our family picture taken for our Christmas Card?

As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words.

Quote of the day: "Why do we have to wear these GAY matching shirts?"

"Hands at sides. If they are in front it looks like I'm trying to touch your butt."

Good times. yeah. Good times.....

The Miner's Return

I've had a good week so far.

Wednesday I got home too late from Leadership Meeting to do much outside so I spent a little over an hour on the spinner doing drills - single leg pedals, sprints, standing drills, etc.

Thursday was SWAT swim again. I went by myself since Mikey was still feeling snuffly and coughing. I'm sure it had NOTHING to do with the Packer game being on.......... but I digress. Since he leaked out on me, I went early, got there at 6 to get some extra laps in since I wouldn't be frustrating Mike by going long. There were several guys there for the first half hour, then all the guys piled out of the pool and there was just a handful of ladies in the pool. It was kind of funny to see it - Game Time 7:15, 6:30 every Y chromosome climbed out of the pool like lemmings....

Anyhoo..... since there was just Jeni Sauser, myself, and my favorite BIL Jeff left (I think Jeff stayed a little later than the other guys since he has DISH and didn't have to find a seat at the bar to watch the game), I just ran through one of the workouts we had done in the past 2 weeks.

200 Kick -200 Pull- 200 Swim

5 x 100 with 20 second rests

100 kick

4 x 100 with 20 sec rests

100 pull

3 x 100 with 20 sec rests

100 kick

2 x 100 with 20 sec rests

100 pull

1 x 100

500 easy

So I got in a good 3000 yds and it felt awesome.

Friday was interesting. I had just a half day at the hospital and the afternoon I went to Blackhawk Tech for a meeting of the ADN/CNA Advisory Board. Not the most exciting afternoon, but was able to get out of the office for awhile, which was nice. I was asked twice that day if I was interested in teaching a class at the tech school next semester. That is really tempting and I am torn. I have never taught a class before, but I would love to teach. The hitch would be that the classes would be evening classes. That would mean a huge chunk of my workout time would take a hit. I am sure the money isn't fabulous, but it really wouldn't be about money anyway. The other downside is that the classes would be the Youth Apprentice students from the high schools, so would be very young, inexperienced, potentially squeaky whiny 16 year old girls. (I am a firm believer that you only get what you can handle in life and there is a reason I was blessed with 2 boys.....). Something to think about.

When I got home, Mike was already there. I asked how he was feeling, if he was less sick. The response....."I'm NOT sick, I am just FIND!" (RANT: Um, Monica, if there is a "D" on the end of "Fine", you are not "Find" you are SICK!) He took off to Walgreen's for some more Aireborne (Uh, it's time to try maybe a decongestant and some guaifenesin honey), and I took off for a quickie run outside before it got dark. Since it was already a little after 4, I stuck my headlamp in my jacket pocket and some flashers with arm straps. It.was.cold. I'm not going to kid you. My nose ran and ran and ran, sometimes faster than my feet. But it felt good. I did a 10 minute first mile which is lightning for me, then settled into a comfortable pace and knocked off 4.2 miles. By the time I got home, it was dark and while I was trying to thaw out my nose, fingertips, toes, and butt cheeks (I have no idea why my butt gets so cold, it's weird really), my son was laughing at my headgear. "Mom, you look like a coal miner...." That's right buddy, I might look stupid, but I'm not a road pizza and I didn't break my neck running blind.

Today we were going to get our Invisible dog Fence redone since they FINALLY finished the sidewalk. (They put in sod next to the sidewalk this week - what are the chances that's gonna take? I have serious doubts....). The super (not) careful contractors from the city dug it up and cut it weeks ago while scraping the topsoil. So anyway, we were set up to have it fixed this morning. Unfortunately the ground is frozen rock solid, so we are SOL until spring. That totally sucks - I am sure the city will forget they told us they would pay for their mistake by the time spring rolls around and I will be out several more hundred dollars for their carelessness. We missed the Jingle Bell Run for this too. We will have to catch it next year I guess.

Snowing like CRAZY now - Guess We'll get some cardio in later shoveling. Yuck.