Gifts

Yesterday was my birthday.  It was a good day.  I took the kiddo to daycare (his first day in a new classroom- he was so. excited.) and then grabbed the dog and headed up to the mountains for a long trail run.  No ipod or cars to distract me.  Just my breath... my heart beating in my now 33 year old chest...my footfalls hitting the dirt trail in a rhythmic, hypnotizing beat.

I also got a lot of gifts.  From the Husband, a Nike Sportband, something I'd asked for and will use almost daily.  From parents and parents-in-law, money for clothes.  I've gone down almost 3 sizes since this whole running nonsense started and none of my fall/winter clothes really fit well anymore, especially pants. 

The most touching gift, however, was one from a person I barely even know.  In my volunteer job see this woman, we'll call her Shannon,  from time to time- a single mother who works two jobs to support herself and an infant son.  I've been privileged enough to share information with her a few times and I feel like I've helped her have a successful breastfeeding experience so far.  She also sells farm-fresh (delicious) eggs to help make ends meet (which I am SO GLAD we buy- no salmonella worries for us!). 

Anyway, we don't know each other too well but Shannon noticed on facebook that it was my birthday.  While most friends, and frankly even close family were content with a "Happy Birthday!" on my wall, I got a text from her yesterday saying simply "I have a present for you! I'll bring it by tomorrow." 

Today, she came by my day job with her baby (soooo cute) and presented me with a card.  Inside of it was $6 in cash.  "It's not much," she said.  "But I wanted to get you something and I know you said you were asking for money from your parents for clothes."

Honey, you just gave me Everything.

I hugged her.  Told her how sweet it was, realizing that this small amount could very well represent almost an hour of work for her.  I never thought about refusing it...that seems insulting after she went to so much effort. As she drove away, I teared up a little, wondering if I will ever bring myself to spend this hard earned, selflessly given $6.

I'm still not sure.

Selling out. And more diet blah blah blah

Some housekeeping: So I've been fucking around with layout and stuff and I ended up adding just a little advertising over there, to the right. Yeah, I know its hard to miss. I hope its not too disruptive but I like BlogHer and what they do for women bloggers. When I got the invite, I thought "why not?" If I get a little change for decaf mochas out of the deal what's the harm, right?

Now I just wish I could afford to go to the BlogHer conference in NYC...it sounds so fun!!

* * * * * * * *

Speaking of mochas (or lack thereof), I'm on day 2 of the No S Diet. The No Seconds thing wasn't hard. The No Snacks part was kind of tough. The No Sweets thing, however, was brutal yesterday. I didn't realize how completely hooked I have been on a little something sweet after lunch. And dinner. And in the middle of the afternoon if I happen to forget my piece of fruit that I usually snack on. Ouch.

I think I'm going to cheat a little and keep the mid-afternoon snack of either fresh fruit or veggies. I really need a blood sugar boost around 3pm to keep from going completely mental on my co-workers and/or sweet family.

And just to clarify, I'm not trying to lose weight. Not really. I could probably stand to be 10-15lbs lighter but I am right in the middle of "normal" (whatever that is) for my height. What I am trying to do is tone up and get healthy(er). I really want to be stronger. I already exercise pretty regularly (30-50 min, 4-5 times a week) but I feel like curbing my bad eating habits will help me feel better about myself and ultimately help me to really firm up.

I've actually been wishing lately that I could take some sort of martial arts or self-defense classes. There aren't a lot of options around here and the karate club that I see advertisements for around town seems intimidating...anyone know of any good DVD's /at home workouts that teach that stuff? I know that's no substitute for an in-the-flesh instructor but I'm shy. And mainly have to do any working out at 5:00am, which cuts down on my options of scheduled classes just a bit.

Calm as a Cucumber. On Speed.

The insurance company my employer contacts with really likes to pretend that they are very interested in our health and well-being. (Or maybe its genuine?...Hahaha! That's a great one!) Its quite humorous, really, how they dupe us into taking online 'health risk assessments' and send us friendly little post-cards with titles like "IT'S COLONOSCOPY TIME!! and "WHEN WAS YOUR LAST MAMMOGRAM? YOU'RE BOOBS WANT TO KNOW!!!" (Ok, I made that last one up. But you get the message.)

Anyway, said company are running this program where if you go online and take one of these so-called 'health assessment questionnaires' they will send you $50. They did the same thing 2 years ago and it was pretty harmless. And that $50 check was sweet. So the other day, I cleared 15 minutes and went out and entered my height, weight, drinking habits, etc. to get my free money, bitch!

Yesterday they called me ("This call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes!") to invite me to participate in an exciting new program to help manage stress.

You see, they figured I needed this program based on my answers to the online health risk assessment I completed recently. The results show that I am at moderate to severe risk of stress. (YOU DON'T SAY!) Was I interested, the velvet voiced woman asked, in having 24 hour access to a nursing help line, doing small assignments and talking with a stress management adviser over the phone periodically?

"NO!," I graciously bellowed. "That just sounds stressful! I don't need any more time constraints on my life!"

Those health risk assessments are OBVIOUSLY crap. Heh.

7:15 am

As I was drying my hair after a lovely hot shower (which followed a fabulous workout- I love getting up early to work out. Isn't that weird? It just makes me feel good. I know. WEIRDO) I overheard this coming from Otto's room down the hall:

Dad: Hrmm.....do these go together?

O: Nee nee no NO! Hahahaha!

Dad: What about this shirt and these pants?

O: Blah blah BAH no no Mama!...Book?

Dad: Ok. This is what you are wearing.

A few minutes later, Otto comes out in a blue and white striped onesie, camouflage pants, with gray and red shoes.

Mama: That is quite an outfit!

Dad: [glare]

O: Juice mooooooom?

A Couple of Things.

1. The whole Heath Ledger thing is so so sad. He was so young, such a talent, and papa to an adorable little girl. Just sad is all.

2. The WBC can just fuck right off. They make me physically ill.