Running thru life... Managing your memories

So with the invention of the digital camera the photo album is now outdated... or is it?

Shorty after getting married I came to the conclusion that I do not have pictures from our couple years of dating because they are all digital and they are all stored on our computer. 

We occasionally get one printed to put in a frame but that was it.

So after making our wedding album- which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE (see below).

I decided to make a album of all our honeymoon pictures.  How did I do this in the modern technology world that we are in today you might ask-  KODAK.  All of the online galleries have capability to make a photobook out of your stored digital pictures.  (Kodak, Snapfish, Shutterfly.) 

So I uploaded about 120 of our honeymoon photos to Kodak and went to work on designing our photoalbum.   You start by selecting which kind of book (hardback vs soft), followed by the design pattern, then you get to pick how many photos on each page and arrange your photos the way you like them.  You can also add captions.  I loved the way our book turned out and more importantly it is something that we can look at and the photos are just not sitting on our computer.

So after our honeymoon album, I decided I like this idea so much that I decided to make a album for each year.  I started working on 2010 album back in October because it takes me a little while to go through all our photos and decide which ones made the cut.  I was done designing the album by beginning of December which was perfect because the albums were 20% off then- what a steal!!!.  So our 2010 album ended in November and was here by December.  The album was a hard bound album made up of 126 pictures on 36 pages which cost $36 (I received 20 % off and also got free shipping because I spent over 30$- what a deal.)   Here is the Cover below. 

We called the book...

The Year of Clemson Puppy 2009-2010

Here are a couple pages just to give you an idea..

And here are some of my favorite photos...

Me and My Hubby at Lake Placcid!!!

Bride and MOH... so Cute!!!

Baby Shower Time...

Clemson Puppy Meeting Hudson Puppy for the First time!!

The Family on Easter

Napa, Ca (So much wine...)

My Bro graduating in Georgia.

Our House....

Our puppy having fun...

Our new kitchen

There are so many more... put I decided to limit my picks. 

I made sure to include an equal amount of family, friends, events, pictures of the house, however, I think Clemson Puppy had the most pictures this year!!

We now have the book on our shelves with out other pictures- I think this is a great tradition and so much more efficient than scrap booking. I can not wait to start working on 2011s!!

Our 2011 album with start in December 2010.  I now know what I am doing do I have made a folder in my Picasa (picture editing) that I place pictures that I would like to considering placing in next years book.  This will make my job so much easier when I go to upload the photos.

Happy Memories.... for all to see

Happy V- DAY

So Happy V DAY

More running gear for my wardrobe... Most people get chocolate or flowers... Not me- I get more running stuff.  I love it.  I mean after all Valentine's day is about taking care of the one you love..  so it is a fitting gift because they are helping me take care of my heart!!!

My hubby and I celebrated yesterday because he has class Monday nights, and I am out of the door at 5:30 in the morning, which does not leave much time for celebrating.  We choose to celebrate V-Day in small ways.  This year we each set a $30 limit!  I got lots of small goodies.  

One was an Iron Man Water Bottle Carrier below.  Since I am running longer distances now- I need water.    (Of course it is pink).

My mother also got me a small something... A new Nike running shirt to wear during my half marathon.  

Also pink....It is like a hot hot pink.  

 

Futhermore, my mother in law also got me a new running shirt.  An Under Armour Big Logo Long Sleeve Shirt.  I ended up wearing in this morning during my workout and loved it!  It is light and breathable.  

So I would like to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day and thank you for the lovely running gift!!!

Running thru life while decorating a home

We have lived in our house for 3 + years now.  When we first moved in we had very little furniture- a couch, a bed, a kitchen table, and a tv.  Over the past three years, we have gradually accumulated stuff and also used craigslist to help get rid of stuff.  I have done this gradually for two reasons  1) I wait till I find what I want or like before making a purchase- it makes no sense to buy something you are Ok with.  2) Economic stand point- much better to spread the purchases out. 

Finally, our house is starting to look like a home.  However, I have a couple items which we still need. 

One being a book shelf for our basement.  I have been looking for one that goes with the decor we already have done there and did not want to pay an arm and a leg.  My search started about 4-5 months ago, but everything I found was just too expensive.  So I put my search off for a while and decided to work on cleansing the house of items that we did not need and I could get rid of on craigslist. 

In the mean time, I started to clean out the back room in our basement because I am going to make it in to my workout room.  Right now it is set up as an office- but we moved all the office stuff upstairs.  So I had a yucky old bookshelf and a desk that I need to get rid off.  I ended up selling the really old bookshelf that does not really fit anywhere in our house (I used it in college and grad school) on craigslist two months ago.  So I put the money in an envelop for a rainy day. 

That rainy day came last Sunday.  After my run that morning, I sat down to read the Sunday paper.  This is something Joe and I try to do every Sunday morning together.  While looking through the adds, I spotted a bookshelf that would work perfectly at target.  So I went and got my craigslist money along with a small gift card that I got for Christmas and head out to Target.  I went in-searched- and conquered. 

After about 30 minutes of assembly time (and no money spent on my part!!!) we have a new addition to the basement. 

I added some accents to it to help it fit.   What do you think? 

Just goes to show you that patience is worth it.... in everything you do. 

Running thru life- while managing a puppy emergency

So last Friday, my husband and I were woken up by the sound of Clemson vomiting.  Clemson normally does not do this-so  we were a little concerned but just figured he got into something.  We placed him back in bed and went back to sleep.  Then at 3 am Saturday morning the sounds happened again.  And again at 9 am,  11am,  and finally 4pm.  He refused to eat all day and also drink.  At 4pm I decided we are taking him somewhere.

Unfortunately our vet- who I LOVE!!!  Dr Segl at Alpha Animal Hospital was closed and would not be opened to Monday.  This could not wait till Monday especially since he was not eating nor drinking and now he was being lethargic.  I could tell by looking at his oral cavity and nose that he was dehydrated.

So i quickly googled someplace near by that we could take him ASAP.  We had two options 1) Banfeild and 2)Penderbrook.  We ended going to Banfield because we called and they said they could get him in.

We checked in and it was down hill from there.  We are spoiled with Dr Segl because she explains everything in detail to us and even shows us things under the microscope.  This did not happen at Banfield.  The doc walked in..looked at Clemson for 1 minutes and then listed 600$  dollars worth of test he wanted to run.   Was not helpful in answering questions, etc.

I then stated that I was concerned that he dehydrated .... the vets exact words were.... "Well we do not have time to give him an IV because we are closing."  Ok so I am PAYING you to help my dog and you are not going to help him.  I WAS PISSED and I think the vet tech could tell that.  After talking with my husband, we opted to only have a couple test run.  The doctor was terrible- he had to stick Clemson 3 times before getting blood.  Clemson has had blood drawn before with Dr Segle and it was nothing.  The experience was horrifying.

It came back that he had picked up Giardia (probably at puppy camp- which he will not be going to anymore!!!). Which the vet did not explain to us at all and actually gave us incorrect instructions on the medication. ... urrr.   So a couple shots later, some $$$, and some prescriptions to take home hopefully we will be getting Clemson back to his normal self very soon.

So to continue the story, Clemson was still not eating or drinking by Monday which I happened to have off.  So I decided to take him to Dr Segl's- the good news is she does not think he has Giardia, or a bowel obstruction, or a bacterial infection.  She thinks it is something viral he caught- so after giving him some fluids and some more nausea medication we came home from the vet. 

Clemson is still recovering- he has his normal energy back, but still not eating the greatest (but making progress every day)!!  THANK GOD!!!

I have learned from this lesson how much we love our vet and how we will never ever be going to Banfield again.  And also how a little furry animal hold your heart in his paws.  (To think I did not even want to get a dog!!!)

Week Three- Food while Running

When I am running any where from 4-8 miles a day, I have to approach the way I eat differently. 

I found eating a high protein diet is really important. 

I also found that have a additional mid afternoon snack is necessary.  

My favorite running foods.....

Peanut Butter!!!

 

It is high protein- I eat it on Bananas, pretzels, etc.

Bananas

 

Bananas are high in Potassium- which does amazing things for your muscles!!!

Wasabi Peas

 This is my fun snack-  good protein and tasty!!

Propel Water

 

I love Propel because it has some flavor.  I started drinking this when I worked full time and went to school.  I love it!!  My favorite is Strawberry Kiwi.

Seltzer Water

I buy this in Bulk at Wegmans ... you can never have enough water when you are running.

Skim Sting Cheese

Also another wegmans purchase- made with Skim milk this is a good Calcium snack.  As women we need calcium!!  Healthy Bones are important.  

Greek Yogurt

This is a good healthy snack- also a goof source of calcium!!! 

Kashi GO Lean

Good source of protein and also my daily vitamins. 

And finally... Meat.

Since I have started I have been craving lean proteins like salmon, steak. 

Happy running + Happy Eating = Healthy Body

Running thru life- The Price of Greatness

When I lived in Baltimore and was working full time as a nurse while going to grad school full time... I lost it a couple times.  I was fortunante to be surrounded by supportive friends and family.  I remember one weekend after I got home from working a 13+ hour shift I was heading up to my apartment while my neightbor was heading out for the night.  He asked if I wanted to come- I said thanks.. but I have a final next week and I need to get some studying in.  He came gave me a hug and said "Well that is the price of greatness." 

It is the price of greatness.  This is something I think of every day!  It pushes me to do more, learn more, be more.  I encorporate it into everything I do- and everyone I surround myself with.  You see for me greatness is being all I can be and being happy.  For some the price of greatness might be different and that is what is so wonderful about this quote- ask 50 different people what it means and there will be a variety of answers. 

While I was running tonight (which I really was not in the mood to do- just one of those days),  I said this quote to myself.  It is the price of greatness.... meaning running pushes me to be great, to be strong, to be healthy. 

So next time you are looking for motivation in whatever you do, just tell yourself.... It is the price of greatness.  What will it mean to you?

Running thru life... puppy and me time

With hubby now back in school there are two things I have more time to do:

1) RUN!!!!
2) Puppy and Me Time

You might ask what puppy and me time is... basically it is just time that me and Clemson spend together.  Our normal day goes like this.  Wake up at 5 am get dressed.  Have some puppy and me time with Clemson and some peanut butter while I get my lunch ready.  Then go to work... come home and take Clemson for a walk or to play.  More puppy and me time. Run.. followed by dinner... then another walk with Clemson.  Puppy and me time again.

Puppy time also involves our long walks up to Fairfax Corner or our trips to Petsmart.   Or throwing a ball down three flights of stairs in our townhouse because it is raining and we can not go play fetch outside. 

I have noticed since my puppy and me time has increase Clemson is so affectionate with me.  I absolutely love it.  There is nothing better than coming home to a puppy who loves you and is so happy to see you. When Clemson was sick the other day, he came and sat on my lap and curled up in to ball....   I love me some puppy and me time.