chichitao's group - FULL! (Page 90)

Hahaha, I already told you, I accidentally deleted that message :S And yea, we'll see when pictures get posted... Probably not for a while. We don't have any events coming up where pictures would be needed. But we'll see

Sandra, it is definitely a blessing. I was actually hoping to quit very soon. This just gets me back in gear to actually look for a job, and one that I enjoy. I'm not too sorry about this happening. Gives me a chance to re-evaluate. 

My old relationship was distance, and this one is definitely not. But it DOES narrow my job search area a fair bit... haha. 

It's been rather quiet in here lately, where is everyone?!

Time to play catch up.  Best of luck Erica finishing out the semester and heading back to WI.  I imagine it is kind of bittersweet but I am really happy you got the experience and enjoyed it.  Keep us updated on the surgery.

Pete, Pete, Pete...where to begin!  Oh, how are those shaven legs working out for you?    Congrats on the job loss?  I am happy for you not having to work those long crazy, busy hours at a job you didn't enjoy.  Here's to hoping you find a new job soon.  And I am glad that new girl's got you all motivated again!  That's the Pete we all know and love. 

I've been a bit on the fritz lately.  Wife and I have been having some troubles and it got me down in the dumps.  Then winter finally decided to hit and it has been cold and rainy lately so it really put a damper on my working out and eating healthy motivation.  But things have been getting better again and I plan on getting back on track this week.  I bought a DVD to help me on my trainer rides (Endurance Films).  I had heard good things about it so I will give it a go tonight.

Can you believe it is December!?  Crazy!

Sorry to here you have been having a hard time Tim, seems to be a bit of that going around.  Life is full of ups and downs.  I have been bad with training and food this week because of too many stresses at work.  Yesterday was meetings with HR and our big boss, because it looks like the majority of the people I work with won't have a job in a years time.  Right now I am insulated from it all but that doesn't mean they won't be looking at me and my department next...so I am now also thinking about what I would really like to be doing and preparing to venture into the job market.

I've just been exhausted and mentally drained that I don't want to do anything when I get home and then last night my dog decided that he wanted to wake me up every 10-20 minutes, even a walk at 2am didn't settle him down.

Sorry to hear that Sandra.  I am sure I've asked before but I have a horrible memory, but what is it you do?  It is pretty amazing how mentally draining work can be at times.  For me it is much easier to work out when my body is tired than when my mind is tired.  I hope you get through it.  What types of jobs out there would interest you?  Could you make a living doing the boot camps and other training?

Hope you got some sleep!

I went out for a run before work this morning and it was very nice and peaceful.  It was very foggy, 42, but no wind at all.  Made for a very nice run and since it was so foggy it felt like I was in my own little world.  I put on my headlamp and attached my bike taillight to my rump and out I went.  Feels good knowing I don't have to talk myself into a run when I get off work today.

Tomorrow morning I am leading a 30mi bike ride so I feel like I am starting to get the motivation back.

And it is Friday, time to celebrate the weekend!

Hey all! I know I have been MIA! I have lots to catch up on. Things have been so busy with the baby and I just don't know where the time goes. Two is way harder than one! 

I was hoping to get cleared to start running again, but that silly pelvic bone of mine is still out of whack. I went to a PT yesterday and my muscles are way to relaxed and loose and are not wanting to hold it in place, therefore I still have a lot of pain. So I have to do PT for a while. She said it wont' all the way get better until the hormones are out of my body so I am done nursing too. I was strictly pumping anyway (because I am a control freak and need to know how much she is getting). So I am fine with it. The PT said I can workout, just not run. I have to keep my feet planted, so we shall see. Hopefully it gets better sooner than later.

I cannot believe it is already December. I hope you are all doing well. I haven't been reading so I don't know what everyone has been up to. I will have to go back and catch up!

For starters, you should all be REALLY happy right now because I got about 3 paragraphs into a drunk post last night before I realized I sounded like an idiot and deleted it all.  You're welcome!

Debbie - I'd love to see more pictures of the baby!  You'll be up and going in no time when you're ready.

T1 - I like the bike light on your "rump" idea.  Very nice.  

Sandra - I'm sorry to hear about the downsizing.  It seems every industry is going through it at different times, and it stinks.  Any ideas on what you might want to move in to?  There's a thread on BT right now for someone looking for jobs in the Seattle area, I think, and I do believe that an escort service option popped up!  I heard there's good money in that.

Pete - get some darn pictures, already!  I'm totally creepin'.  Did you need me to re-send that message?  I don't remember if you said so, and I think I still have it.  But I'm totally not retyping it, so if not, you can just go for it on your own.    Also, funny story, I was thinking to myself "Hm, he should look for a job with the Expos!"  Oops.  I may have been intoxicated when I thought that though, so it's not my fault!  BUT really, the MLS is starting a team there next season.  Get on that.  And if you worked for the Canadiens, I might lose all respect for you.  I mean, they can't even spell "Canadians" right!  

Anyway, my exam yesterday was BRUTAL, I was actually cut off mid-word by the program.  I've never had that happen before, so I'm a little nervous about it.  One more exam and three more days of work, then I head home in 6 days and should be back in 8!  

How are everyone's Christmas/Holiday preparations going?  Shopping done?  

Double...

...and triple post!  Good for me.

Darn, I was really hoping for a drunk Erica post! 

I have most of my Christmas shopping done, I have done so much online this year. Having a 3 year old really makes you stay on top of things with doing fun holiday stuff. As soon as she saw lights up in our neighborhood she asked where ours were. 

Erica, I have tons of pics on FB, I know there were some posts a long time ago about names on FB, what is everyones? Friend Debbie Bromeier Reid and you will see my kiddos!

I friended you!  Way excited to see the pics! (Last name is Menze, so you'll see it!)

Joe (just turned 5) told me it made him sad that we did not have our tree or lights up yet.  We never do any of that until around this time of the month anyway.  His birthday is the 4th so we get past the weekend of his birthday and then we start decorating.  It usually falls after the 10th of the month and we did it all yesterday.

So...

I am done.  I am done trying to run.  I am done thinking about running.  I am just done.  It sucks and I think I am still grieving over the loss of it.  I know you guys will understand how I feel.  John told me to call a doctor and start talking about surgery.  I am not there yet and I don't know if I will be there ever.  I refuse to have total reconstructive surgery of both my feet just so I can run.  I ran one mile two times in one week about two weeks ago.  It was not a fast mile.  I think it was a 12 minute mile but I still had issues after it.  If I can keep my Achilles under control by not running, it is something I have to do.  Some days I am ok with this and other days not so much. 

oooh...Drunk post would have been soo much fun...next time push the button Erica!  hmmm...escort service, think I may be a bit past due for that career, but thanks for thinking of me:-)  Not sure what is next for me, I'm looking at companies that align with me and my lifestyle, I'm looking at work closer to where I live to cut down commute time and I am looking for something that has flexible work hours.  If only someone would sponsor me to train and do races all the time!

Tim, I manage the web services department for a business equipment company.  I enjoy my work and currently my department isn't directly in jeopardy, but the way the executive has been operating, I wouldn't be shocked if our department were to be eliminated very soon after the other(though they would have no legitimate reason other than filling making their bottom line look better by eliminating people) 

Megan, so sorry about the running, I can't imagine the loss you are feeling over it.  Have you tried speed walking?  I have a friend who recently had to give up running, but has now taken up speed walking, she can speed walk faster than a lot of people can run and the impact on the body is completely different.  Mind you, her issues are with her back not her feet, but it may be worth exploring?

I'm no where close to being ready for Christmas, but I have most of next week off, so I'll get there...it's going to be a very quiet year, with all family being out of town, so we are considering hosting an orphans dinner on Christmas Day.

Xmas is done here.  Wife is very punctual so the decorations and lights on the house all went up the day after thanksgiving.  And we don't do gifts.  I know that sounds weird but it started with my wife and I stopping gifts to each other and instead we donate to our local animal shelter and shop for a few Angel Tree kids.  Started that several years ago and convinced all our families to do the same thing.  It makes xmas much easier to deal with not having to worry about all the shopping.

We are having just a few family members over on xmas day and are foregoing the traditional meal this year.  We decided to change it up and do nothing but appetizers.  I am sure I'll figure out an appetizer where I can get my ham fix! 

Very sorry to hear about the running issue Meggan.  Does it effect you on the bike or swimming? 

Meggan - I'm SO sorry to hear that.  I know how frustrating it can be.  I'm praying for you.  I like Sandra's idea of finding an alternative though, and I really hope you do!  Any outlet will be extremely helpful!  

Sandra - do you know if you're doing any other races besides the ones you have in your listing?  Ryan and I are 100% trying to move to Portland, so if we do, maybe a race in Seattle would be fun to meet up at?  OR, I really want to check out Vancouver, so let me know if there are any late fun races to do there, too!  Also, I LOVE the idea of the orphans dinner!  How does that work?  Through the orphanage?  Wish I could help out with that, it sounds wonderful.

T1 - I thought about doing the "not buying for each other thing," but it's really pointless with us.  We would always end up giving something to the other anyway.  We just like buying things for the other that we wouldn't normally buy for ourselves, so it's fun.  We do LOVE buying things for our angel tree people though!  This year, I seriously spent like $50 on black friday just on this little girl I had never met before.  The spending limit was $30, but I couldn't stop.  Lots of Dora and Hello Kitty stuff!  My favorite part of Christmas is thinking excited someone will be opening the present I picked out for them.

Debbie - I LOVE LOVE LOVE your facebook pictures.  And I've come to the conclusion that your husband and I would be great friends.  A Cubs fan AND a BEARS fan?  They don't make them any better than that!  After all, even Ryan is only one of those.  Darn cheeseheads...

Lastly, I AM DONE for the semester now!  My last exam was today, I'm feeling pretty confident about it, so I have 3 more days of work, then I get to see Ryan on Friday and start heading home!  Goal is to make it to Missoula, MT for Friday, then to Rochester, MN or La Crosse, WI for Saturday, then finish up on Sunday!  If you guys are FB friends with me, I'll likely post a billion status updates and pictures.  Yes, I'm THAT interesting.

Ryan is waiting to decorate for Christmas until I get home.  He says it's because he wants me to feel like I'm involved in the holiday stuff, but I think it's just because he doesn't want to do it himself.  Almost all my Christmas shopping is done though, I only have to buy for my dad and my cousin still, which I will do either tomorrow or Wednesday.  Needless to say, it's going to be a NIKE Christmas for all!

Question for all: What are you getting your significant other for Xmas!?  I have to know!

Awww, so sweet there Pete.  You just have a way with words! 

And no, I am not part of FB.  Damn kids, get off my lawn!  BT is as "social networking" as I get.

Alright Erica, since you are done with tests (and have nothing to do) I am sending you drinking money.  Time to get liquored up so you can re-write your post!

Meggan, that is very impressive.  I am glad you have been taking the opportunity to do something very beneficial for yourself and not letting the injury hold you back.  And congrats to John for the smoking cessation.  How is he doing with it?

For the most part, I am ok with it.  I have a few bad days about not running but most are good.  I thought about it alot this weekend and I am not sure why.  My main fitness goal is to be the active, fit, healthy mama my boys deserve to have.  They don't need a marathon mommy.  My main goal in life these days is to do right by and for my boys.  I take them to the gym with me a few times a week.  While they don't see what I do, they know that I am working out and getting myself healthier.  They love running around the kids club and playing with other kids.  I am more than happy to take them and let them run free in a huge room especially since it is freezing cold now!

John just turned 37 and has been smoking for 20 years.  He has quit before but started up again.  A brief history, he did hypnosis to quit smoking cigarettes in 2004 when he turned 30.  Oh and he was also a daily pot smoker when we met.  He quit both with the hypnosis November that year.  He started smoking cigars the following summer because of our trash neighbor.  He said it was a "summer" thing but it turned back to the pot too.  He quit the pot when we had Joe December of 2006 but not the cigars.  He was supposed to quit when we had Logan in the summer of 2008 but that never happened.  I knew I could not push him to quit because it had to be when he was ready.  He decided that November was going to be his month to quit but he struggled with it on his own.  He did laser acupuncture to quit three weeks ago and he is doing great.  I still don't really understand what the treatment was but here is the website.  www.iquitez.com

You guys are all awesome!  Just had to say that

Erica, aside from a Half Mary in February I have nothing scheduled for the rest of the year....yet.  My focus will definately be on the HIM and once that is done I will look at the rest of the season and see what is available. 

I know there might be a couple of Mud-type runs that I'll be heading down to Washington(Seattle Area) for. Our group has a discount rate for the Dirty Dash, so we'll probably do that again, as well as the Hell Run, which was too much fun and oh so muddy and then there is another we are thinking about, that I think is called Run for you Life, where you do a mud/obstacle run while being chased by zombies!

Depending on budget and whether we want to spend another Thanksgiving Day(Canadian) travelling, I'd love to go down and do the Portland Half in October.  I'm sure that we will definately be able to hook up at a race if you move to Portland permanently. As for races up here, most of the really good ones are in the early part of the year, but I'll definately be keeping an eye out for something later in the season next year. 

I like your idea of an orphan's Christmas, I don't even know if something like that is possible, but you have me thinking.  Our orphan's Christmas is to gather friends who don't have anyone to celebrate the holidays with, for what ever reason.  I've attended similar parties like that in the past because I had no family locally. 

Megan, way to go on the weight/body fat loss, that takes a lot of hard work and dedication to accomplish, well done!  Also, congrats to the Hubby for quitting smoking, as a former smoker myself, I know how difficult letting it go is...I still, on occasion, get the scent of smoke I breathe a little deeper, but most often the smell is now unpleasant. There are a multitude of methods out there now for quiting, and hopefully he has found the one that works for him!

Pete, yes I am a very active FB user, I shall message you all my user name, so that you can friend me

As for Christmas, I have not done any shopping, my husband did the shopping for our daughter, so she is pretty much done.  I think that I would like to do what Tim and his wife do and buy gifts for those in need instead of for each other now, since we really don't want for anything. 

We were away over the weekend and as we walked out of the hotel Sunday morning, we walked past someone smoking.  John asked if he really smelled like that.  It took everything for my mom not to laugh at him.

We are having our neighbors over Friday night and doing just appetizers.  I have some homemade pizza dough in the freezer that I will turn into a few strombolis.  I think I am also making buffalo chicken meatballs, bite size crab cakes, and ham and cheese pretzel bites.  I might do antipasta skewers too.

The easiest and most tasty appetizer I make is really simple and a little bit odd, but it is always a success. 

1 block Philledelphia cream cheese(I use light) on a plate, poke lots of little holes in it with a toothpick, then drizzle soy sauce(I use reduced salt) all over it.

Roast up some sesame seeds in a frying pan and sprinkle over top. 

Serve with crackers (I prefer rice crackers)

My wife has a favorite of hers that is very similar, but instead of using soy sauce she uses a raspberry chipotle sauce.