learning how to live

David Lynch Foundation Gala: Change Begins Within

2011-12-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was perfect

2011-12-19T19:11:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was perfectRan with my bicycling husband He has stamina and speed so that pushed me!Food was homemade fresh local seasonal small often actually all vegetarianGirls in the house are vegetarians so dual food prep here and I always chose vegetarian when I have both on the tableLove having all my children home!Really cold this winter, houses at the beach are not built well I grew up in Cleveland so I know cold but man this house is drafty and cold this winterFeeling goodChristmas .....in a word bah humbug.....broke stressed tired of consumerism frenzy so done with it!My gifts will be special time, back rubs, homemade soup and fudge. I just can't go shopping bored of it all!

reflections on yesterday

2011-12-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

this blog will be endless reflection of the prior day

I got to work at 1 of my jobs, and had the thought that while I know how to do this job well and I do it at 2 hospitals within 2 different models I do not like it. I am happy I have 2 jobs to compare the different aspects of each to each other but it just made it clear more quickly that it is not what I will be doing in 3 years. I prefer to be a teacher a Diabetic educator to be specific. So with that intention out there I continue on doing my jobs but my mind is set on me being a teacher. It is not so much about doing more about the feelings when I am being in all areas of my life. I ramble here but hey it is my blog! I may clean, wash and cook...what I am doing today but I am being a Mom and all of my 3 children are home for a few weeks I couldn't be happier!

Who I am being while I am doing whatever I do is what makes me content. Because when you change your perspective everything changes and really nothing appears to have changed except it really has in a huge way.

I intend to be a teacher very soon and in the meantime I hold that intention all day in every interaction.

exercise
I walked up and down stairs all day at work 7 story hospital.

food
egg burrito coffee
salad with cottage cheese at work (huge win for me usually burger and fries)
work party I ate a few bites of appetizers and had a lemon drop martini

today is a new day and no work all my time to myself and family getting ready for Christmas!

new plan

2011-12-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

I am switching gears
now it is going to be all about high intensity interval training(HIIT) 2 times a week and weight lifting 2 times and ditching marathon training. excited to see how this will change the shape of this old lady! I ran 2 marathons and it was great but my left hip disagrees with me!

of course need to eat the way I already know is healthy......lots of water, plan meals so I don't have excuses and
small fresh homemade seasonal frequent meals with high quality protein and 1 day out of 7 eat whatever I want to keep me from freaking out.

this new plan starts today. I need to blog daily in the evening after the day is done so I keep it real!

anyone out there to do this with me?

Recipes I love (so I know where to find them)

2011-12-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas lentil soup

Sheridan's idea.....because my kids love Lebanese food and it is red and green and yummy!

YIELD

4 bowls

ACTIVE TIME

30 minutes

TOTAL TIME

45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

- 1 bunch red stemmed Swiss chard washed and chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 cup lentils
- 1 large yellow onion small small dice
- 3 cloves of crushed garlic
- fresh cilantro small bunch finely minced
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 quart water
- salt
- pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- juice of 1 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a soup pot simmer lentils in water covered until they are tender about 40 minutes.
2. in a sauté pan add oil and onions cook until caramelized
3. then add the Swiss chard, cilantro, spices and garlic, cover and cook until wilted
4. then add flour cook 5 minutes
5. then add vegetables into soup pot with lentils add lemon juice simmer for 10 minutes
6. serve with warm pita

NOTES

healthy vegetarian dish to add to Christmas dinner!

MRS. SCHAUT'S RECIPEbanana bars
smells delicious
CATEGORIES
 cake
INGREDIENTS
1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp allspice

1 very ripe banana, mashed


INSTRUCTIONS
usually double bake in large glass baking dish

when still warm glaze with slurry of milk and brown sugar


NOTES
Mary Theresa Schaut was in my class and church growing up!


TEITARamzi's Mom's cake
INGREDIENTS
2 cup flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup crisco
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS
cream sugar and crisco, add eggs one by one
then slowly add all the rest of the ingredients
pour into 2 round cake pans bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
cool
icing
3 cups powdered sugar
1tsp vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa
small amount of milk add 1tbsp at a time until icing is spreadable.

SHERIDANfavorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
CATEGORIES
 cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cup flour

3 cup oats

1 bag chocolate chips


INSTRUCTIONS
preheat oven to 375

cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla

and remaining ingredients

drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes


NOTES
Anthony loves these.
Mariana wants these every Thanksgiving.


SHERIDANpomegranate martini
perfect Christmas party drink
YIELD
 2
CATEGORIES
 drinks
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
2 oz vodka
1 oz Cointreau liquor
cup of ice
INSTRUCTIONS
pour all ingredients into a shaker and the into filled martini glass add a few fresh pomegranate seeds into glass for pretty garnish.
SHERIDANsnicker doodles
simple cinnamon cookie
YIELD
 48
TOTAL TIME
 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1/2 c shortening
1/2 c butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
2 2/3 c flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
INSTRUCTIONS
cream sugar and fats
add eggs
combine all ingredients
walnut size balls
roll in cinnamon sugar
bake 375 degree oven for 8 minutes
NOTES
Samantha loves these!




SHERIDANwhite velvet
cream of cauliflower soup
YIELD
 serves 6
ACTIVE TIME
 15 minutes
TOTAL TIME
 40 minutes
CATEGORIES
 soup
INGREDIENTS
1 head of cauliflower
8 oz broth
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 jalapeño pepper
1 cup of cream
salt pepper and nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
rough chop cauliflower, onion, jalapeño, and garlic
add all to a large soup pot with both and water to cover vegetables
cook on simmer until all vegetables are tender
then in small batches and with care puree in blender
return to soup pot add cream and season to taste.
NOTES
 Cassandra and Samantha love this made with vegetable broth.
 my friend Vicky also adores this!

yesterday

2011-12-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

Dreams are the stuff of the soul.
Dreams give everyday life a deeper meaning and purpose.
Dreams are exciting.
What big dreams are on waiting to become realized?
Take time for stillness and and create.

0600 1/2 bagel with provolone and cup of coffee
0930 blah blah I forget what I ate and don't care anyway
it was simple not too much and lots of vegetables
steering away from meat these days with two vegetarian girls and two omnivore men in my house I make a variety of foods everyday and find myself eating the vegetarian food almost always.

I did not exercise

I bought a Christmas tree with my sweetie the kids could care less about picking the perfect tree...whatever. when the kids are out of the house my sweetie said let's buy a two foot tall tree and be done with it so much work! I agree!

kind of weird

2011-12-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

well I went to physical therapy
assessment my performis muscle on my left hip is in a knot
treatment stretching, hip abductor strengthening and core work.
the cause weirdly my left leg is 2 cm longer than my right leg.

so I wonder if running marathon distance is in the cards for me at least one more time?
with this new information I believe cross training is a must. swimming may become my new go to exercise.

thankful for:
my home and jobs
teens who question everything
my health and current state of gratitude
progress
excellence not perfection
my husband
my friends who support me and those who don't

for realzzzz

2011-12-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

awake before my coffee making husband
the air is cold but I am warm under cozy blanket
I am thankful for now and all that is which makes my life
today no hospital so planning a run the marathon may be slipping away due to my hip according to my plan I should be up to 18 miles today but I can only run 5 or suffer for days my physical therapy starts this week too little too late for me to be ready.

Christmas is coming and I need to prepare clean, decorate,shop, invite, cook, relax and enjoy.

coffee/bagel with provolone
5 mile run over dressed and over heated it looks cold until you get moving when will I learn?
pink grapefruit oooooohhhhh myy yummieness !!
Hawaiian bread with cheese
water water and umm water
grocery shoppin
invited friends over for drinks and apps this evening
making roast and garlic mashed for my son(his choice) home cramming for finals
deep cleaned stove
made stuffed mushrooms, mini pizzas from scratch with grilled onion and mushrooms and holy granola chocolate chip cookies with my daughter then our guests bailed out kind of sad but had fun in the kitchen all day with my daughter!

I run because I can

2011-11-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

Join Team LIVESTRONG with me and fight cancer!

     As part of Team LIVESTRONG, I'm making a difference in the fight against cancer. I've joined with other people around the globe and across different events to raise money for LIVESTRONG. We may not all live in the same city or participate in the same sport but we're united by hope, courage and determination.

     LIVESTRONG serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against this disease that is now the world's leading cause of death. LIVESTRONG has become a symbol of hope and inspiration to people affected by cancer around the world.

     The money I raise will go to support LIVESTRONG's programs and services. If you or someone you know is diagnosed, these resources will help face the challenges of cancer, head on, and live life on your own terms. www.Livestrong.org/help

      Please support me as I make a difference in the cancer fight through my participation in Team LIVESTRONG. Thank You!

http://laf.livestrong.org/site/TR/Endurance/HondaLAMarathon2012?px=1005778&pg=personal&fr_id=1050

love anyway

2011-11-24T21:48:00.000-08:00

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

affirmation

2011-11-22T06:30:00.001-08:00

I create my life
My choices create my reality
I respond to circumstances rather than react to them
I choose inner power, power over myself vs power over others
I am true to my own heart
I speak my truth with compassion
I live in full integrity
I keep my commitments to myself and others
My word is law I keep my agreements, no matter what
I express my individuality and uniqueness
I am willing to ask for what I want
I release the need to please everybody
I release the need to take peoples opinions personally
I understand how others judge me is more about them then about me
I take responsibility for my life, I release my need to blame complain or justify my situation
I completely approve, accept and love myself as I am right now
I use my natural talents and gifts to contribute to others
I acknowledge and celebrate my successes
I am willing to do what’s hard so the rest of my life becomes easy
I honor my feelings yet I am able to act in spite of my mood
I am more powerful than any obstacle
I am willing to break out of my current comfort zone to achieve success
I am willing to act regardless of inconvenience or discomfort
I have immense courage and take action even in the face of fear
I am unstoppable, I do whatever it takes
I understand that my true self runs deeper then my conditioned mind and personality
I choose to be powerful, strong, and confident

running and stuff

2011-11-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

I am not running these days so not much to say about that subject
except with 130 days until Los Angeles Marathon rolls around I better get out there again

I haven't run since about a week before Halloween. My last run was a 9 miler and my left hip and lower back ached for about 2 weeks. So I have been swimming. Childhood echoes of my nickname seaweed head due to green tinge of my hair from swimming endless hours on swim team haunt my 51 year old memories. I need to keep active and the pool fit the bill for a minute but I want to run.

My 15 year old daughter is on Cross Country and wants me to run the Turkey Trot with her. Anyone that has a teenager would understand how priceless it is for her to want to do this with me so of course I will!!

Speaking of teenagers well just don't speak of them ........

ok pause breathe..........I certainly gave my parents a run for there money so karma is a bitch

finding this moment to reset allow my teens to be teens and well I need to take care of me now

what I know
running is good for my well being it is where I find peace and joy

so going to put away my swimsuit for awhile and lace up my shoes and I hope to see you on the trails, beach and streets

lately

2011-10-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

swam yesterday
16 laps
glad I have a ring counter I would never remember how many laps I swam
my left hip is a problem I should not ignore.
last Sunday I ran 9 miles and I haven't run since not because I did not want to but because of my left hip
I have have a pending doctor's evaluation
so swimming is now my cardio until this issue is revolved

family stresses through the roof out to stars
job stresses the same

the only peace I get is exercise/mediation

today I am thankful for this moment all the change and stress and the fact that I get to be here and experience it and grow stronger

yummy

2011-09-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

FALAFEL PATTIES

Makes 16 patties

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

1/4 cup parsley

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne

1 garlic clove

1 large egg

1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained/rinsed

1 T olive oil

Sauce:

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

2 T fresh lemon juice

2 T Tahini paste

1 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:

Place first 8 ingredients in a food processor or blender; process mixture until smooth. Divide mixture into 16 equal portions, and shape into a 1/4″ thick patty. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the patties, and cook 5 minutes on each side or until the patties are browned.

To prepare the sauce, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic

eat with fresh pita, add lettuce, pickles and tomatoes

http://thebubble.msn.com/video/?id=9e4b4c01-6267-49ce-95a0-349396073dcd

2011-09-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

http://thebubble.msn.com/video/?id=9e4b4c01-6267-49ce-95a0-349396073dcd

self-portrait

2011-08-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

My trip to Arcata, Trinidad and Mammoth, California Here are a few photos because my friend Janelle wanted her friends to post a photo that describes themselves so here are a few recent one.

Enjoy myself best out in nature with my family. I love California it is a beautiful State!

Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place

2011-08-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

This song will forever remind me of training and running Los Angeles Marathon 2010

8/23 summary of my journey to health

2011-08-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

EXERCISE

still no focus on time just getting miles consistently done~today was an easy 3 miles at the beach.

thoughts

we are in Heaven right here and now it is all how you see life.

I was running with my ipod on and it died in the middle of "Stairway to Heaven" (my favorite song of all time!!) but I asked the Ocean if I could borrow some energy and got it! I see the obstacles that use to stop me before as challenges to make me smile and say to myself how funny my ipod died but I am still going to run. Last year this time any excuse would stop my run too hot, too late, too tired too rainy~then I stalled at mile 24 in the rain because I never trained for hard stuff like hills, wind, rain, heat now I see obstacles as a game something new!

FOOD

poached egg wheat toast coffee(sugar and half and half)

grapes

pear

homemade lentil soup a few dried pita chips

3 Rolos candies

roasted red pepper pureed and used as a dip for steamed vegetables

hearts of palm with lemon juice

fresh tomatoes from my garden and avocado( also canned 3 quarts of homemade tomato sauce)

edamame

wasabi peas

watermelon

how it is going

2011-08-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

Monday summary
good day hanging out with my kids
evening book club party I volunteered to be designated driver so no wine for me

food
coffee added 1 tsp sugar and a dash of half and half
a nectarine
1 poached egg/whole wheat slice of toast
lots of fresh red grapes
tomatoes/avocado with cider vinegar and sea salt
large amount fresh edamame
huge bucket of salad and I mean huge! variety of lettuces/almonds/tomatoes/balsamic vinegar and olive oil

a bite of fresh berry homemade ice cream that my friend made (actually too sweet and heavy)

exercise
6 mile run

going back to basics

2011-08-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am inspired to go back to basics with nutrition
but it is hard to change habits
I kind of love junk which is my dirty little secret
I could easily eat an entire bag of cheese popcorn and have many times (end up with bright orange fingers)
I have decided to stop this now because I want to be healthier

75% of what I eat will now be real food~unprocessed
no junk no fast food no boxes no frozen meals and limit alcohol to 1 drink/week
just real whole food
exercise focus on miles not time run 3-4 times/week

whenever I proclaim I am going to do something I do not follow through
I do better when I blog about what I did instead of my grand plan

so yesterday was the first day of this so here is how it went

FOOD

woke up and had a
cup of coffee and an omelet (2 whole eggs a few mushrooms,onions and tomatoes) 1 flour tortilla(need to figure out what to eat instead of tortilla)
6 hour drive (ugh)
I resisted crap 100% no chips, soda, cookies none
instead I ate a nectarine and an apple and turkey and cheese sandwich (need to figure out what do eat instead of bread)
went grocery shopping
dinner
baked chicken, corn on the cob, tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden and I drank fresh watermelon(juiced it) + 1 shot of vodka ( so had my 1 drink for the week)
I had a bite of a cheesecake in the evening (if someone in the house eats something I want it)

EXERCISE (none)

I was going to run at sunset on the beach but I just did not do it once I got home there was so much distraction I just told myself to run in the morning
so today I will once again eat real food and run and tomorrow I will write about how it went
I need to be 100% honest with me and blogging helps me

intuitive running

2011-08-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

today I ran without timing my run 5 miles out and back
ran back with intervals really hitting 10's
after my run I took off my running shoes and played in the surf~the water felt icy cold but wonderful!

running without stopwatch is kind of like trying to get healthier without stepping on a scale everyday.
I will see how fast I run on Oct 9th in Long Beach when I run a Half Marathon, until then I am focusing in on running often and gradually increasing the distance~all by intuition.

I have completed 2 Half Marathon
1. Denver 2009 ~2:52:50
2. San Diego 2010 ~2:47:53
3. Long Beach 2011 ??? to be seen I would love to run my best without getting hurt so will try hills and increasing distance and no Garmin no timing and let's see what happens on Oct 9, 2011

to Aracta ,Ca for a few days to get my daughter set up in her apartment and ready for sophomore year at Humboldt State University.road trip begins this Sunday:
Then the plan is to rent a condo in Mammoth Lakes, Ca for a few days of relaxing in the mountain air, running at elevation, mountain biking for my husband, hiking, and hope to catch the Goo Goo Dolls concert before heading back home next weekend.

watching my portion sizes and focusing on 80% fresh vibrant food each day
nothing too severe so it is sustainable
and drinking lots of ice water

I have been working more than ever~Why is it before vacation you need to work twice as hard?

weird encounter

2011-08-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

what other people think of me is none of my business~it is about them not me

I had the strangest Sunday encounter.

Went to brunch with a group of co-workers at Trump's in Palos Verdes

The weather was perfect, the place breathtaking, the food to die for!

champagne flowing, chocolate fountain, beautiful sushi, oysters on the half shell and prime rib.

should have been fun right?

well ever been around someone who challenges everything you say? I was sitting next to someone who thought she knew me but the picture in her head about who am am was false yet she was fighting to prove that her thoughts about me were true.

weird

things I talk about are family, running , food and sometimes if the conversation goes to religion I should bite my tongue.

I should never discuss religion or politics

anyway it came up and I mentioned I love to run and meditate those are things I do

she basically called me a liar.
I was raised Catholic and now while I am a spiritual person I am not religious.
I also took up running in 2009 when I joined an on-line community called http://www.transformation.com/ and as a group we ran the Denver Half Marathon

her idea of me did not include mediation or running

but that is who I am ??

could I waste time and energy convincing her of who I am ?

I choose not to care to change her, I will just BE.

I find peace in no longer engaging in heated dialogue I don't care to go there. I am happy just being me end of story!

My run and other stuff

2011-08-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

woke early to drive my youngest to Cross Country practice
ate a cup of (dry) Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax
drank coffee, strong and hot could double as nail polish remover
ran 5 miles trying to let go of times and focus on just getting the miles done (less than 1 hour)

listened to :

ate my body weight in Honey Nut Cheerios dry and crunchy
drank 3 glasses of water
checked in with my computer stuff
took a shower used my new favorite thing Trader Joe's Spa Gentle face wash and rejuvenating lotion
drove to work to complete BLS re-certification by the way why does the AHA keep have to changing the sequence?
Passed my re-cert~yeah me! Good for another 2 years of CPR and emergency responding.
drove home by way of Walgreen's which is not hard because there are Walgreen's every 2 blocks in any direction everywhere you go. to buy Clearasil for my child who is too shy to buy personal hygiene stuff.
ate a whole wheat pita stuffed with pea sprouts, celery, pickles, lettuce and tuna
drank ice tea plain and freshly brewed
talked and hugged 2 of my kids who are home and happy "mommy has the day off" me too, I love being a Mom!
I love to cook...making dinner spaghetti homemade not jarred sauce and homemade meatballs with salad and garlic bread
my thoughts today ~happy it is summer, the kids are home no school, sun is shining, health is excellent, future looks bright!

what I did, ate and drank today

2011-07-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

today I ate

toast with peanut butter and coffee with cream and sugar

ran 8.2 miles

then I drank

orange gatorade in Hermosa Beach, because I hate to carry water on runs

then I ate

1/2 sun dried tomato bagel with 1/4 fresh avocado

then I took a long HOT shower (I always get cold after a long run....Memories of Los Angeles Monsoon, I mean Marathon)

then I ate
a few bites of California Roll

then I drank

hot plain green tea

then I chilled

watching Project Runway's new season (I am glad my DVR remembered I like this because I forgot the new season started)

then I ate

some BBQ Popchips

then I baked

chocolate chip oatmeal cookies at my son's request, of course I had to do quality control

then I

made Welsh Rarebit (ooey gooey cheddar cheese sauce with rosemary bread)

also at my son's request, for dinner I haven't made that it years it was deeelish!

then I drank at Fat Tire Amber Ale

then I listened

my teenagers make life so interesting!

and it is only 6 PM 2 more hours of daylight and a super High Tide coming in at 9 PM I must check out

I LOVE SUMMER!!
My favorite song today! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk&ob=av3n

sunshine and fresh air

2011-07-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

I love summer, sunshine, gulls, sounds of waves, smell of suntan oil, warm breezes, french fries and crabs cooking at the pier.
I have today off so that is a bonus!
No pressure of school currently on my kids makes life relaxed.
So grateful for all that is today including my outlook!

walked 5 miles today needed a break from running but I walked fast and even passed a few runners. I love moving my body it feels great!
Summer food is excellent as well fruit tastes better, salad is divine with fresh tomatoes, herbs and cucumbers from my garden~feel like I could like on sunshine, fresh air!

why I run reason #??

2011-07-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

I run....

to blast music and sweat!

this morning I ran 6 miles at race pace 10 min/mile and I had this song on replay because I hate it when random music ruins my run and I like this !!

Long Beach is 76 days away so I am having fun I love Half Marathon's

Demetri Martin - Flip Chart

2011-07-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

it is up to you

2011-07-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

Restless long night

My husband has a cold and he tossed and turned all night

My 14 yr old made popcorn at 2 AM and try to sleep smelling that

My 18 yr old went out clubbing and came in at 4AM and not quietly

I have to work today

UGGGG~

Let me try to reset my mood

OK try this

I am so lucky to have a new day, my health is great, and I have an active close loving husband to share my bed with, three healthy loving children, a beautiful beach home and two jobs.

That worked I can chose to be happy and then I feel good.

Rambling thoughts on another perfect day

2011-07-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health~ Voltaire

Perfect morning for a run overcast skies and 62 degrees and I don’t work today!

Every day and turn my face up to rain or sun, stars, clouds...listen to music...SING...dance...PRAY...LISTEN instead of talking so much...pay attention...appreciate (LOVE) each person, place, thing for its unique beauty (including me). Call, talk to or somehow connect with one person each day, be it family, friend, colleague, neighbor or stranger - let them shine.

I chose to be happy today.

I inspire others by the way I live yesterday at work everyone wanted me on their team as we started a hospital wide competition to see which team can record the most steps taken (walked or run) 7/25-918 almost everyone knows I run because I always bore everyone with the topic!

Just ran 6 miles in an hour and I feel great love overcast skies best running weather

WHY do I run at 50

I run to inspire others mostly my youngest child to do hard things and believe that they can! Summer cross-country training is in full swing and she is a newbie runner. Since I have been there done that I can talk her through it and help her form a powerful mindset to run hard or stay home. Today she ran 4 miles including the dreaded bridle trail and she was so proud to tell me that she did not walk! Her coach is quiet and easy on the new runners letting go of the ones who just don’t want to run before August. His only requirement is no walking because according to him walking is contagious. I agree walking is not acceptable in a 3-mile run no way!

With that thought in mind I have a new goal no walking. Long Beach Half is coming up in October and I will do it with no walking because it is hard and I can do hard stuff.

I run because it is my medicine it brights my mood all day!

I run to support other runner's causes I personally don't feel compelled to be a fund raising runner I do support others who have taken up this reason to run!

I run so I can eat macaroni and cheese, pastrami on rye with Russian dressing and an ice cold locally brewed pale ale and still fit into my favorite jeans!

I run to get views like the one in this video I took this morning; it was overcast and the harbor was quiet and grey.

ok I am in

2011-07-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

http://simplyhealthyone.blogspot.com/2011/07/self-portrait-challenge.html?showComment=1311082252822#c1948010277486578944

my friend Janelle set a challenge I accepted below is the explanation copied from her blog

Yes, the challenge here is to take a picture of yourself - but not just to take a picture - to capture the ESSENCE that is "You."

Well, Janelle, isn't that a little narcissistic? Naw..... it really isn't.

The reason for this challenge is to practice self-compassion and self-acceptance.
If there is one thing I am learning on Life's Journey, it is that you can't give away
what you don't have. If we don't have self-compassion and can't accept ourselves,
we are just faking compassion and acceptance towards others, or not giving it all.

Get creative, express yourself and share with other bloggers! If you want to keep your identity hidden, surely there is a way to do that and still participate. Use your imagination.

Self-Portrait Reveal Date: August 29th!!

The Way I Am lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

2011-07-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

in such a happy mood

I love love my husband he is such a sweetie and he takes me the way I am!

ran 5 miles this morning at the beach which may be the reason I am so happy

running is my medicine and I love summer warm air, sunny skies, my husband and life in general.

I wish I could bottle up my feelings and give them away to anyone who feels unloved or sad!

RANDOM

2011-07-17T17:14:00.000-07:00

things that make me smile: SUMMER NIGHTS, DRIVING AWAY FROM WORK, THE OCEAN, BABIES, KIND STRONG MEN, SEX AND MY NEXT RUNNING EVENT

foods that are always in my house: IPA FROM A SMALL BREWERY, WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE, SAUERKRAUT, WASABI PEAS, HORSERADISH, GREEN TEA, BLUE CHEESE AND EGGS.

words that can die now include: EPIC, VIRAL, JUST SAYIN', WOW FACTOR, FAIL, AND SWAG.

running can wait

2011-07-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

In Ohio having fun spending time with my brother and sisters. Spent the day biking on a towpath in the http://www.nps.gov/cuva/ohio-and-erie-canal-towpath-trail.htm then had lunch at http://winkinglizard.com/
enjoying family and loving exploring the trails! tomorrow we are going to go tubing on the down the riverhttp://www.loudonville-mohican.com/activities-rec-canoeing.html Hot and humid here perfect summer weather unless you want to run! Running will wait......

how I spent my 4th

2011-07-05T04:02:00.000-07:00

yesterday was travel day
woke up almost before I went to bed!
here is breakdown up at 2am
drove to Ontario airport about 1.5 hours (ugg)
then huge seurity lines made my way to gate plane already boarding
planes were packed!
to Denver (that place has memories for me all good!Transformation event and running my first Half Marathon)
then to Pittsburgh(hot and HUMID)
rented car
dove to Morgantown WV(they drive slowly here)
in rainstorm ( memories of last rainstorm~Los Angeles Marathon)
to my Huband's sister's house
it is wonderful reconnecting with family and having the kids hang out with so many cousins!
and wow can my sister in law cook! food was a Lebanese feast!
humous, fatsoush, kafta, shishtawook YUMMY!
wine was flowing, conversations relaxed and family is wonderful I am so lucky to have married into such a beautifu open loving family!
then the kids did fireworks and it was a great way to celebrate the 4th of July!!

Seeing my son was the best part! I missed him, he is doing research with a pathologist this summer at WVU.

Now I have to go find a running trail in the woods and by a river!

Long Beach Marathon '09

2011-06-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have 104 days to prepare for my next 13.1

love this video because it shows the amazing course of the Long Beach Marathon

today it is a perfect summer day and I am so happy I got out there and ran even though I could have decided not too because

~its too hot

~it is Sunday "day of rest"

~I just don't feel like it

~I am sunburnt from my run Thursday with no sunscreen

~I would rather eat brownies I made last night

~would rather paint my toenails

~insert any random excuse

I am grateful :

~that I can run

~that I know exercise is medicine and today 5 mile dose was just what I needed to brighten my mood

~that I have another event pulling me out the door because I am basically pretty unmotivated

Brownies

2011-06-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

World's easiest and yummiest Brownies

melt butter/chips the add the remaining ingredients bake for 30 minutes at 350

1 stick of Butter
1 bag of Chocolate Chips
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Flour
2 Eggs

Life is Good

2011-06-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Life is good.

Summer is wonderful.

Children all out of school relaxing~ family building time!

GOALS this week

1. I will go to the beach for exercise everyday this week. I work M,W, F sunset. T and Th at sunrise.
2. Eat dinner outside everyday this week.
3. Eat light healthy food, mostly fresh vegetables, fruits.
4. take my girls to some cool place they have never been in Los Angeles....need to think about where to go somewhere in nature for a sunset hike.

I am finding my own way now, I let go of my attachment to a large on-line community. I learned some important things in that community but I also spent too much energy, time on-line neglecting other areas of my life.

There is a time for everything. So now is a more quiet time for me. More focused on my life, family and dreams in my post college deadline, papers, and post-t.com life. I meet an amazing friend Janelle there so that was the best thing about the site!!

My Dad

2011-06-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

reflections about Dad
family man
faithful and speaks the truth
married to my mother for 59 years
devout Catholic prays the Rosary and goes to Mass everyday
Avid reader I have never seen him without a book
always present, actually listens in conversations
father of 9 of course I am his favorite! (I think we all believe that)
loves a dark beer and fish/chips near any open body of water anywhere anytime!
problem solver
a true gentleman
I wish he lived closer so I could see him more often. He is coming to spend 3 weeks with me in Jan 2012!

So happy God picked him to be my father!

114 days to 13.1

2011-06-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

I am always changing like everything.
But I know I really like to run and if I think I am going to run Los Angeles Marathon again in March I need to keep training I need a few Half Marathons before that like one in Oct and one in Dec (hope I can go to Las Vegas in Dec. still not sure)

Since the Los Angeles Marathon 2011 I have not been too focused on running and my mood shows it.

Solution for me sign up for a fall event. I need to pull of an actual event to train towards or I get lazy real fast.
I signed up for Long Beach Half last year but I did not run because my daughter came home from Humboldt for a visit. I choose to spend time with her rather than run that event. I really want to run Long Beach Half Marathon. So I am going to sign up for it this year and go for it. The actual signing up for an event changes my brain chemistry.

I run because it makes me happy. No matter how slow I go I just keep going happy I have use of my legs!

http://runlongbeach.com/

So I have 114 days to plan!!

today

2011-06-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

The goal of exercise is anti aging and mood brighter; it is my medicine. I start almost everyday with 1 hour of exercise.

Water is the best thing to drink.

I waste way too much time on-line and watching TV.

Running and weight lifting has become a habit of mine over the last 2 years.

The food I eat is mostly the same everyday except for dinner.

Breakfast poached egg, whole-wheat toast and 1 cup of coffee.

Nuts and fruits for snacks.

Lunch vegetables tons of them either soup in winter or salad in summer.

3pm is my hardest hour: best anti-dote is a protein, sunshine fresh air and green juice.

Favorite dinner: grilled fish tacos Baja style.

Whatever I need I give away .

So grateful for my life and all that it is, most importantly all the people I get to know!

Fail=washed 2 white lab coats with a black pen.

My exercise today

5 miles

00:55 time

11:00 pace

662 calories

details

ran in fog (needed windshield wipers for my glasses) and through a swarm of bees best reason to run with mouth closed! finished in the cold surf!

because that is why

2011-06-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

why I keep working on becoming healthier.

To keep building strength.

The day will come when the wind blows. instead of snapping, I hope to gently bend, as the mighty oak tree against the storm, because of all the work I am doing.

I have to do the work - no one else can do it.

although it certainly is not easy is it?

How To Be Alone

2011-06-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

learning to live

one day at a time

happy with myself

alone with no fears

V. Woolf

2011-06-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

What sort of diary should I like mine to be? Something loose-knit and yet not slovenly, so elastic that it will embrace anything, solemn, slight or beautiful, that comes into my mind. I should like it to resemble some deep old desk or capacious hold-all, in which one flings a mass of odds and ends without looking them through. I should like to come back, after a year or two, and find that the collection had sorted itself and refined itself and coalesced, as such deposits so mysteriously do, into a mould, transparent enough to reflect the light of our life, and yet steady, tranquil compounds with the aloofness of a work of art. The main requisite, I think, on reading my old volumes, is not to play the part of a censor, but to write as the mood comes or of anything whatever; since I was curious to find how I went for things put in haphazard, and found the significance to lie where I never saw it at the time.

V. Woolf

Sounds of Silence - Gregorian Chant (HD)

2011-06-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

I love silence

My car used to answer my phone "hands free" whlle this sounds nice it was disruptive. When I ran the Los Angeles Marathon in a "monsoon" it killed my phone. I never figured out how to make my car recognize my new phone but guess what? I don't care. I am thankful this happened to my phone thanks to the rain I found new place of peace and quiet inside my car.

Before every trip in the car I would call someone. Now I use the quiet time to think and just be. I do not like the radio either or AC just roll down the windows and take in the moment.

While all things electronic surround us to simplify (supposedly) our lives I think I was loosing track of beauty, nature quiet ......all that is. It is just perfect as is a never-ending spectacle if we just be in the moments that are.

I am not a fan of random noise.

Why some people need to chew and crunch every time they watch TV makes me dislike TV.

I dislike going to the movies because the chewing and crinkling annoy me.

I dislike co-workers who chew gum, crack their knuckles or make other noise.

I hate canned laugh tracks on TV shows.

I could be a hermit. I would never tire of the alone time and I would love the sounds, scents, and views from my own place.

I survive random noise by

Leaving the scene before it becomes a crime scene. haha!

Avoid going places I know will cause me stress, like the movies.

I spend much more time outside in the elements these days alone with nature walking or running and that is how I thrive despite living in a small-shared place.

“Energy Leadership” by Bruce Schneider

Schneider says, “Stress isn’t something that happens to someone. It’s something someone feels about what’s happening. Your capacity to deal with any outer situation is based on your inner perspective."

What was new to me is that I am never the victim of stress. I am always the creator of stress by how I perceive what’s happening and how I see myself in relationship to it. Before, I always thought stress was created by the situation I was in and that I was powerless to do anything but get through the stressful situation as best as I could.

I love becoming aware of this limiting belief!

Why?

2011-06-03T21:37:00.001-07:00

why I overcomplicate stuff is a mystery

Why do I work at 2 hospitals 2 miles apart and force myself to learn 2 systems/doctors/nurses/routines?

Why do I get paralysis from over analysis?

Why did I just spend 3 years and thousands of dollars getting a degree that would allow me to stay in my current position?

Why and this is really a mystery do I spend hours online focused on gaining health when I am healthy?

In the past few years ~I stopped smoking, gave up soda, stopped living on junk food. I stopped shopping and gathering more and more useless crap. I woke up.

I started becoming aware of what I ate; I realized I was spiritual even though I reject organized religion.

I started running and love the process of training for big events. It is a blast to plan and train and you never know what will happen out there. Anyone remember Los Angeles Typhoon, I mean Marathon this past year. I will never regret that day. When I am 99 years old that memory will bring a smile to my face and I did not cross the finish line! I froze solid to a Starbucks chair around mile 24. It is the stuff that you can not predict, plan or even want that makes the best memories. I will probably participate in the Los Angeles Marathon every year until I can no longer walk because it is just that incredible!

So I am trying to bring myself to sign up for another event. So I can once again set my mind reaching, planning towards the big day.

I was thinking Long Beach in October or Las Vegas in December. Still have not committed to either. I will plan and think about it this weekend. Of course I like to complicate things and here’s the rub I currently like to run barefoot; actually naked feet no weird silicone things……..I now love barefoot sand running.

Energy is a commodity.

2011-05-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Energy is a commodity.

we think we have limited time but in reality we have limited energy,focus, awareness.

We need to conserve and invest our energy, like we would money because money is a symbol of our energy.

Invest your energy in things that give you greater return such as exercise and helping others and meditation/prayer.

Do not blindly throw your energy into petty things like gossip, arguments, ongoing family endless problems.

rise above energy wasters and choose to invest your energy for maximum return.

I got this idea by watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx4nZVaXAYU&feature=feedlik

next event

2011-05-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://stripatnight.com/

going to run this Half in Las Vegas. Dec 4th running at night! Janelle, Gaye and Jackie do this get your butts to Vegas baby plenty of time to train!!

barefoot running

2011-05-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is me running barefoot in the wet sand today! it was a blast I can't wait to do it again tomorrow!
I just love the feeling of the icy water and soft sand!

and I decided to sign up for the Long Beach Half Marathon in October since I did not get into the Nile Women's Half. Such a beautiful day!!!!

I just got back from a sunset walk with my husband ~that makes it the 3rd day in a row that I went to the beach twice.

barefoot

2011-05-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

I live in gratitude. My job gives me clarity. Awhile back I was seated in ICU across from a 40 something patient who had a stroke and could not speak/swallow or move one side of his/her body. His/Her awareness was overwhelming and most of the day he/she wailed and moaned realizing all he/she had lost, it was heart wrenching. His/her partner said he/she refused to take his/her blood pressure pills or loose weight and now he/she had 2 young children and a mate who was unable to get up or eat.

I am keenly aware of this gift my life is I never take one day for granted. I run because I can! I can afford food/home and have loved ones close and share my life with family/friends. I take nothing for granted.

This past weekend I started barefoot running at the water’s edge in the wet sand. It is unbelievable. The sweet briny air, the sound of the waves, gulls and surfers, the icy water and feel of the sand on my feet! I LOVE IT!! It is so much harder to run in the sand but I don’t care it is wonderful!

I still need to work on eating better. I need to lift more weights and watch my evening food/habits.

Now that I graduated I can just read for fun. I Just finished reading Water for Elephants it was an interesting book and reminded me of the traveling circus my parents brought us to see as children with the elephant named Maude who I think killed her owner, the blood sweating hippopotamus damn that was awful and I hate clowns! The book also gave dignity and humanity to the frail and 90+ crowd which is huge in my eyes. I just started to read Bossypants.

meditation

M1 egg/1 slice of wheat toast and a cup of coffee

Exercise

M2 huge salad with cider vinegar and olive oil

M3 cottage cheese/fresh salsa green tea

M4 grilled protein/steamed vegetable

Down hill from here old patterns hard to break wine/snacks or sweets

my day was perfect

2011-05-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

The day started walking in the icy water watching surfers and gulls.
Then I read, cooked and hung out at home with my husband and kids in a perfect Sunday.
I decided I would go to the beach at least once everyday and shoot for two times a day when I can.
I am also searching for my next fitness goal, my next running event and next professional step.
While I plan for the summer I remind myself to enjoy NOW.

jewels today
~woke up to the smell of hot strong coffee and a hot strong hug from my husband
~ briny aroma and cool breeze at the beach this morning
~hugs from 2 of my kids(missing my HSU daughter, but she'll be home in a few weeks)
~ baking a homemade coffee cake at my son's request
~reading (and finishing) Water for Elephants
~going back to the beach at sunset and having my husband surprise me by showing up just as the sun slipped into the sea (so romantic)

do it!

2011-04-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

I am off work today and I am excited because that means I can go for a run. I feel asleep last night thinking about where I should run today. I could run everyday but I don't. I only run three days a week because I like to get outside first thing in the morning. Some weeks I try a sunset run but I really am a morning person. It is pretty windy today so I get built in resistant training. I am hoping to get into the http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikerunning_events-en_US/2011/03/16/2011-registration-information-nike-womens-marathon
so I would be wise to train on hills and in wind so I am ready. I do not want a repeat of this year's Los Angeles Marathon (EPIC FAIL) where I was unprepared for wind and rain and did not finish. So today I am happy to see the wind (not really trying to psyche myself up haha!)

I did not always get excited to run especially in wind or up hills. So you might be asking yourself is this old lady crazy? I used to watch tons of TV eating chips and sour cream, candy, ice cream, french fries, fast food and spend my days off shopping and buying tons of useless crap. Then I got really unhealthy and slowly started to realize if I did not change I was going to get really really heavy. My mind was already there and I was lucky I woke up before my body followed my mind to deep despair!

Now I try to surround myself with inspiring people who have challenging goals and life took a pleasant turn. So to all my readers who are trying to figure out how they can change here is my suggestion. First of all never give up on yourself, believe that you can change. Next just go outside today and move just do it make it simple. I love to keep things simple like the blog Zen Habits

http://zenhabits.net/train/

garden joy

2011-04-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

Last Fall my husband and I decided it would be nice to give our outside space a makeover. This Spring has been so much fun watching the grasses, succulents and flowers fill in the space. Every morning when I run out to grab the Los Angeles Times off the driveway I am so happy with the way the plants seem to be enjoying showing off the front of the house! I especially love the long fluffy wild grassy plant at the end of the driveway. I call these plants "my blonde girls" and love to swish them with my hands. These plants bring me joy. My husband keeps asking if he can trim the plants and I tell him don't touch they are perfect. He is an engineer and likes things all tidy in a row. I am much more of a free spirit and I love the way the plants move in the breezes.
The back is a big jacuzzi with a huge deck and mostly natural stone. Perfect spot to read a book~the TV is always on inside the house which can drive the most sane person to run off a cliff!
The South side of the house will be the herb and vegetable garden. The fresh oregano, mint, rosemary and thyme are already growing. This weekend we are planning what else gets planted. Tomatoes are my favorite I am still using some I canned last Fall.

The front of the house has a beautiful teak glider on the porch. My favorite place to have coffee and watch the barefooted surfers, bike riders, and runners go by on their way to the Beach

The space will soon have seating and a fire bowl: that is why there is a gas line poking up through the stone.

When we save a bit more money the plan is a teak picnic table and chairs here by the BBQ.

rocks and kelp

2011-04-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I ran down the beach in the wet sand at the water's edge this morning. There was a super low tide and lots of shells were scattered around. Then I decided to run up a steep trail and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I need a ton of practice running hills! This video was where I enjoyed the beach I love the rocks, kelp beds, gulls screaming, salty air and the empty open space.

Boston on my brother's mind

2011-04-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

http://hitthetrails.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/the-torture-rack/

My brother inspires me. He is my hero so smart, such an excellent journalist and mostly he loves to run!
He is a distance runner who while ramping up his intensity a few months back to attempt to Boston Qualify he developed painful IT Band Syndrome. Now after months of rest, and by rest let me say distance road biking is his idea of rest, he is jumping back into the distance training and Boston is on his mind!

Yeah!!!! John I am sending you thoughts of health and many more miles before you rest!

Tell Your Story Walking

2011-04-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Some of my best thinking happens when I run

I decided to go for a run on my day off and happy I did

I am letting go of results and focusing on doing what I know

I am letting go of ego and allowing things to be

still waiting to see if I got into the Nike Women's Half 10/16/11

got a group of girl friends going so it will be a blast no matter what!

beautiful day

2011-04-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed my run to Redondo Pier

post run green tea and sushi with my husband.
life is a gift
I am so thankful for all I have especially my awareness

Spring in Los Angeles pre-June gloom is spectacular.
I am uplifted by the energy of life

waiting to see if I made it into the Nike Woman's Half Marathon 10/13/11 (sign up is a lottery due to popularity of this event).
I realized I do value running events because they provide a positive pressure to get up and out the door.
I signed up for the 13.1

Done!

2011-04-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxOgS3S7pgE

I am an RN with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and my Public Health Nurse certification! It was my goal to finish when I was 50 years old and I did it!

This was a long journey and I am proud of sticking with it (marathon training taught me discipline).

On to new things. I like to look at it in this way ... nothing ever ENDS .. it simply transforms to a new beginning. All things are a continuum. We perceive endings but they don't truly exist. All things go on in one form or another, so see things through to their conclusion as much as possible so that the next plane of existence, portal, is opened....................

epiphany

2011-04-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

the end of things

I get bored or lazy whatever the reason and I have a low level habit of not completing things.

I have been this way forever.

I don't eat the last bite of toast, don't sip the last gulp of coffee, do not read the the end of a book, leave before a movie is over, get up before a show ends .....it goes on and on. most recently I got a little past mile 23 of 26.2 of the Los Angeles Marathon before I bellied up to the bar at a Starbucks. I am done mentally before it is over. (Probably because I knew I had already finished a marathon the year before it was easier to stop when the winds and rain came).

and this week is the final week of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
and I have one paper left The Individual Professional Development plan, YAWN!! I am 50 years old my plan is to retire (giggle).

I wrote this and went for a trail run..................here is what I think after an hour of challenging my body on hills......

I do not like the end of things

that is a fact about me.

So what can I do? Simple be present in the moment BE NOW.

I am fine right now.

around mile 19 of the marathon in the pouring rain a few weeks ago I had a freak out second in my head. I thought crap this is mile 19 I still have a billion more steps to take, I should just forget it. Then I told myself to do a quick personal inventory. After a quick mental survey I noticed that I was fine and concluded that I could keep going. I do hate the end of things. human nature most likely.
So from now on I am always beginning. The moment I am in is the first step the beginning.
Each day is a new challenge~day #1. I am going to have only day #1 from now.

~no past mess ups to bog me down
~no future mountains to scale
just now this moment.
peace!

faking it

2011-04-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

I spent all day with my husband's side of the family. His Uncle died and we went to the funeral and grave and reception.
The challenge for me was my heel broke off my boot and I had the challenge of pretending nothing happened so not to draw attention to myself during their grief. I did a good job no one noticed!

talking myself into a good day despite what's going on

2011-04-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

1.Last week of school~tons of stuff to do to finish strong (not my forte! remember I stopped on mile 23 of 26.2 just saying)
2. Niece doing a little better, but remains in Pediatric ICU) after brain surgery following a bike accident (she was not wearing a helmet)
3. husband's Uncle died last night after long illness
4. out of state relatives will be coming to stay with me for 7-10 days as a result of #2 and #3
5. Palm Springs 0700 tomorrow morning for a long ago planned Spring break get away
6. I went for a run to help get stress level down and it felt amazing
7. post run green tea and sushi ~the best meal of the week!

I feeling a bit stressed as a result of all the above things~recognize the stress will not let it get hold of me. I will focus on NOW finish my school work~get it done graduation is just a breathe away!

artist awakened

2011-03-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.drjacksseaglassart.com/

For many years I have collected sea glass. I have mountains of the stuff. I love to find the ever rare blue or red glass. I came across this artist and I am inspired to try to create a mosaic for my backyard wall now. I have no idea how but I am going to invent the process because this artist does not want to share his methods. That is OK I will figure it out for myself.

link Marathon Photos

2011-03-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

http://links.mkt2713.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MzYxNjEyMjUS1&r=NzY5MTQyNDM5MwS2&j=OTgwNDg3NjAS1&mt=1&rt=0

crazy day but in all the photos I am smiling I really enjoy running (actually at this pace it is really a slow jog!!)

LA Marathon 3-20-11 Santa Monica

2011-03-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

LA Marathon Runner Battles the Rain

2011-03-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

miles of happiness

2011-03-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

I love running, even in the rain!
Here I am running down Rodeo Drive smiling I think this is around mile 17?
I really love the entire process of marathon running because it is so much fun! I just love focusing on doing something huge and typically not seen as fun and making it fun!
Last year the weather was beautiful and crowds made the marathon a blast! This year, while there was excellent volunteer support even for slow runners like me the rain caused many people to just stay home.
I still had a blast!

Lessons learned from a soggy marathon

2011-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Prepare

I fell off my training schedule in Feb due to pain in my left hip. I had decided not to run. But when my hip stopped hurting after 6 weeks of basically resting I decided to run the marathon. The weather was horrendous. 50’s and rain torrential rain with sheets of water slamming at me almost comical. I was doing alright, at first because I was not tired yet. The weather won when I got tired. At mile 22 my legs were tired due to lack of long training runs so I slowed way down and was running really really slow this was the turning point. At that point my core temperature was dropping from 5+hours of rain/wind. When I slowed down the weather beat me. I started shivering fiercely I dropped to the curb and could not get up~someone had to help me up. Then I somehow made it to the Starbucks on the corner of 26^th and San Vincente were I fell onto a stool and could not move. Two firefighters shocked by my shivering and inability to stand shook their heads and said they wished more people would know when to stop. When my husband arrived to drive me home. I could not get up. He had to lift my legs into the car. I shivered until 3AM. I am certain I had hypothermia to some degree. In retrospect, if I had been prepared. Put in all my training runs the weather would not have been able to overtake me. Also a raincoat might have helped.

I ran 23 miles in 5:30 any other day that last 3.2 would have been nothing but 3/20/11 that last 3.2 was 1,000,000 miles.

Los Angeles Marathon 3/20/11

2011-03-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sheridan Ghaby - Runners and Walkers \| Bib 3553 \| Redondo Beach, CA - USA \| Female \| Age 50
Start	10K	15K	20K	25K	30K	35K	40K	Finish
7:58:03	01:18:03	01:59:29	02:46:25	03:32:31	04:20:56	05:12:21	did not finish

LA Marathon 2010 - Don't Forget to Look UP

2011-03-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

phone charged up (ziplock)
ipod charged and playlists made (ziplock)
salvation army to purchase toss away sweats
camelbac filled with water and zipped pouch loaded with GU
money/credit card/drivers license in running shots pocket
good luck shoes that made it the distance last year are the choice!!
ribbons with 26 names made so I can pull out of my pocket each mile to run with that person in my mind
husband agreed to drop off so I don't have to get up and do the shuttle!!!
son agreed to brave the pick up at the pier
chapstick/bodyglide/wetwipes
rain is coming so mentally prepare for it rain resistant nylon shell

it is on!

prayers for Japan

2011-03-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.crowdrise.com/AmericanRedCrossReliefforJapan/fundraiser/sheridanghaby

Prayers for Japan

tomorrow is a 26.2 miles of gratitude I have so much abundance in my life and I am running with awareness for all I have

I met a 95 year old man yesterday ~he was so beautiful
I said Good Morning How are you
He said eyes open....check
breathe in breathe out check........
another day to live check check check
all a bonus after that right?

love it!!!

I need your positive energy!

2011-03-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.xacte.com/templates/la.html

(in case you dont know me my name is Sheridan Ghaby, I am a 50 year old mom of 3 teens. I work as an RN case manager in ICU. I run because I can, it gives me energy and keeps me fit)

I am running Los Angeles Marathon this Sunday to raise money for relief efforts for the tragic ongoing hell unfolding in Japan.

I need all my friends to send me positive energy this Sunday~race begins at 0730 PST and if last year is any indication I will be done early afternoon! If you want to track where I am live you can click on the above link and have emails or texts sent to you as I cross various mile markers.

Wish me well. I know I can do it! as long as I keep moving and don't quit I will get to the Santa Monica pier~and flop into the Sea around 2:30 give or take a few.......

I am making this Marathon a prayer of gratitude
each mile will focus on a person I am grateful for

I am making 26 bands with the 26 names each mile is dedicated to in my thoughts
thinking of these people who mean so much to me will keep me moving to the end.

today's thoughts

2011-03-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

crazy busy life
2 jobs and last semester of my degree
house/family
middle daughter home with a friend from Humboldt
they drove took 3 days camped in Sonoma, Big Sur and Santa Barbara

oldest child finals at UCLA
home next week to de-stress

looking seriously at a neighborhood business~ could be an owner again ~it has been 20 years since we owned 2 pizza stores.

marathon this Sunday~I am re fired to do this because I can ~end of story
Japan is always on my mind I can not imagine the despair and pain there and the destruction is not over~yikes!

eating is on track
need to run today after work
planning the Marathon in my mind all day even though I will be working!

Staffan Svahn - The Pearl - Original Acoustic Guitar

2011-03-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the pearl, this natural wonder, is actually the result of a mistake? Natural pearls only grow if a grain of sand is mistakenly introduced into an oyster and this happens rarely in nature.
So the pearl is either a wonderful creation or a mistake depending on how you look at it.
In my life I believe that some of the best things have come out of my mistakes. This is especially true when it comes to my music. It is usually when I make a mistake that I suddenly find new and interesting chord progressions.
Maybe we should not be so afraid of making mistakes and judge less harshly, what we believe are, the mistakes of others.

This tune is inspired by Jackson Browne, one of my all-time favorite artists. I feel that he has an unsurpassed magical mastery of words and music. I have been spellbound by his music ever since I heard "Running on Empty" for the first time one summer evening, more summers ago then I care to remember.
I think you can hear some chords from his song "The Road" in this tune. I hope you enjoy it.

The World Is Stuck. What Are YOU Waiting For?

2011-03-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

happy dance

2011-03-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

my high school freshman practicing for dance class= my happiness

The Beatles Fool On The Hill HD Quality

2011-03-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

do something to help

2011-03-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.crowdrise.com/AmericanRedCrossReliefforJapan/fundraiser/sheridanghaby

I am running Los Angeles Marathon next Sunday 3/20/11 because I can.
I value each moment of life it is a gift.
My heart is heavy seeing the images of suffering in Japan.
I felt compelled to act~if you do too join me every little bit helps.

Remember to live each day like it may be your last because someday it will be. Do not waste time. Act now. Do whatever you need to do to make your life meaningful.

perfect

2011-03-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

perfect day
woke up with a smile
coffee and new favorite breakfast is Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey/Flax 1/2 cup dry and crunchy!
birds singing got my paper and my heart breaks with the images from Japan.
I think again my life is perfect
I am so thankful for today, my health, my family
I can not waste a moment
life is a precious gift
praying for those suffering
outside to run
I my left hip is finally not hurting after resting about 20 days.
I run to the Redondo Pier ~walk around the harbor and ~no dead sardine's I guess they all got cleaned up?
I run back home I am happy my hip is no longer hurting.
question to myself
will I show up next Sunday to attempt Los Angeles Marathon after taking about 20 days of rest~Can I do it?

thoughts
live life aligned with intention
throw your eyes to a distant point of where you see yourself and let the intent pull you in the right direction
what is the purpose of your life, why are you here?
I know that I was created to be love~that is my purpose
so my actions, thoughts come from that.
Have you ever walked on a balance beam?
If you look at your feet you wobble and loss balance
If you look into the distance at the end of the beam suddenly you can almost run along the beam without falling
this is what living in alignment with your life's intentions feels like
effortless!

just be love

2011-03-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

be love that is my life's purpose
be love all day
it is fun when all day I say I am love how can I be love right love in this situation.
I am here to gain mastery over myself
my thoughts and actions to be love, joy, peace understanding and all that makes us one.
my purpose is to be love and not get sucked into the web of hate, gossip, and everything that separates me from love.
whatever I focus on expands~love expands.
we are one only in love.

by the way this is true for me
if my ego says love can overcome~I can be sure the universe will send me challenging situations and people to test how strong my love is. I see this people or situations to be the wind on a long run or the hill I encounter at mile 20 on a marathon! I thank these people/situations for making me test my love and helping me grow ~I am love!

Beirut Duty Free Rocks the Airport with Dabke Dance.mp4

2011-03-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

The A, B, C's of me ...

2011-03-08T06:37:00.001-08:00

The A, B, C's of me ...

... why don't you play along?

A. Age: 50

B. Bed size: queen

C. Chore you dislike: scrubbing floors

D. Dogs: None, but I love them.

E. Essential start to your day: meditation

F. Favorite color: purple

G. Gold or silver: Silver

H. Height: 5'8"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I played the flute and piano poorly

J. Job title: case manager RN

K. Kids: 3: 1 son 20, 2 daughters 18, 14

L. Live: Redondo Beach,Ca

M. Mom’s name: Joan

N. Nickname: lamb

O. Overnight hospital stays: Had my tonsils out when I was 18. I went crazy after the surgery I do not do anesthesia well~apparently kicked a nurse!!

P. Pet peeves: liars, and mean people suck

Q. Quote from a movie

R. Righty or lefty: Righty.

S. Siblings:5 sisters and 3 brothers.

T. Time you wake up: around 0600

U. Underwear: none of your business

V. Vegetables you don’t like: okra

W. What makes you run late: my husband.

X. X-rays you’ve had: only dental I guess.

Y. Yummy food you make: I can whip up a dinner in 5 minutes or slowly make a soup or roast I love to cook….not so much a baker savory food not sweets

Z. Zoo animal favorites: dislike zoos and seaworld type of animal jails

Okay, now it's your turn

I got an award~for this blog

2011-03-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

A great blogging friend who takes the time to post supportive, encouraging comments on my blog, has nominated me for a "Versatile Blogger" award. Thank you so much, Jackie!

To claim my award I've been asked to tell you seven things about myself and then pass the award on to some blogging friends. So, here goes:

About me:

I am the 5th of 9 children. I had the best childhood ever so full of happy memories. We had almost no money. Our home was full of love.
When I was around 13 I won $25 from WIXY 1260 for being the 21 caller with the correct number of songs played in the prior hour~I think it is the only thing I ever won.
I ran Los Angeles Marathon last year and finished it in 6:00 at age 49. I am very proud of that! I am signed up to run again this year but I have injured my left hip training so I am not sure if I will be at the starting line~time will tell.
I met my husband in a club when I was 21~it was love a first sight! He still turns me on! He has sexy soft lips and big strong muscles!
I mediate twice a day. This is a new part of my life and I highly recommend this practice.
Ways I have made money in my life include: collected newspapers and bottles door to door, babysat the heirs to the Murphy Oil Soap fortune (and vacationed with the family as the nanny), as a receptionist at a car dealer, short order cook at a sandwich shop, groomed/exercised horses on the hunter-jumper circuit,lifeguard at an apartment complex pool, owned and ran 2 pizza stores, worked mostly as an RN in ICU.
I recently stopped drinking because it was interfering with #5. I am not making any blanket statement about the good/bad of drinking~just right now it doesn't work for me in my life.

Sunday

2011-03-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

day full of simple pleasures
~the warm breath of my husband and a morning hug
~hot strong coffee
~morning fog creeping down the street
~the plants swishing in the mild breeze
~the hardwood floors on my bare feet
~morning doves cooing on my neighbors roof
~the smell of low tide in the air
~the sound of waves crashing
~bike riders intense energy as they pedal past my house
~peace of knowing I am lucky to have good health
~after glancing at the newspaper~happy I don't live in a country fighting a war
~plenty of healthy food choices and drinkable water
~seagulls screaming in the distance
~bare footed teenagers in wetsuits run past my house towards the Ocean carrying surfboards
I have only been awake for an hour and I am in such an excellent mood. I live with awareness of all I am blessed with~off to the beach soon to soak up more! sun, wind, salty air, poppies dancing in the garden, dolphins playing in the surf, sand crabs burying themselves after each wave, surfers and paddle boarders ride the waves.

I am going to run on the sand~I love life it is amazing~so happy I don't have to work today!

after my run

~super foggy
~high tide, SW swell fishermen and runners, walkers,bikers, skateboarders, scuba divers, Dolphins, gull, pelicans, rosemary, lemon blossoms
~Ran 7 miles in 1 hour and 30 mins. cool fog, sweet energy found at the beach this morning
~baking chocolate chip+oatmeal cookies aroma is intoxicating!
~happy to be a Mommy.... lucky 2 of my 3 kids are home
~tri tip roast slowly roasting with last summer's tomato sauce
~love my neighborhood, sweetest people live next to me!

Silly Olympics

2011-03-05T22:36:00.000-08:00

learning how to live

2011-03-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

Just back from a my morning exercise at the beach and I feel amazing!

I harvested fresh sea breezes, other like minded morning exercisers have beautiful energy, gull cries, salty mist, fresh oxygen and sunshine!

I had a thought
so I know that exercise is medicine
I just need to find the right dose.

just like 650 mg of tylenol cures most of my aches and pains~I know that the entire bottle of tylenol would shut my liver down, I know that the right dose of exercise is also important to discover.

I think that I learned that marathon distances were toxic to me, kind of like that entire bottle of tylenol.

so from now on if I feel low energy I will adjust my exercise to give me a higher dose of exercise to counter that low energy.
I know how important exercise for me I just need to listen to my body and adjust my dose for the day~

awareness is changing who I am becoming.

Pink - Perfect [Lyrics]

2011-03-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

3/3/11

2011-03-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

thought for today~trust yourself

successful day so far

0600 coffee and 1/2 C Kashi Go Lean Crunch

0830 1 hour beach run on soft sand (harvesting oxygen and Ocean energy)

1000 water and sweet potato/broccoli/halibut

1100 shower

1130 computer limit (1 hour need to do more)

1230 yogurt 1 container

1430 berries/nuts

1530 after school time with my 14 year old food~she is exploring vegetarianism~fun to create dishes with her since I was a vegetarian for 5 years and could easily go back/chat/listen more than talk

1800 dinner with my husband planning grilled salmon/ potatoes cakes/asparagus /chat/listen more than talk

1900 bake something sweet for weekend treat with my daughter~let her choose what the treat is and assist her in building her baking skills chat/listen more than talk

into the evening TV/shaing/computer time +college work/ laugh and play with daughter!
2200 private time ~important couple building time!

2300 rest/recover/dream journal

I am grateful for today
warm house filled with love
hot coffee, hot husband
able body hard exercise
peaceful beautiful life
awareness is what changed my life!

oops misses my exercise

2011-03-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

I know that exercise is medicine I missed my dose today

result is low energy, sleepy, negative mood

plan better for tomorrow

up early exercise before work! set clock for 5 get it done

it sets the tone to a more productive day, brighter mood, positive outlook.

no excuses baby get it done

pack healthy food/water for work

Ojibwa Prayer

2011-02-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

wind on my run

2011-02-26T11:21:00.000-08:00

I ran 5 miles in about 1 hour the pier is my turn around point I love the energy of the wind and waves so invigorating!

Negative thoughts try to overtake my mind I am aware that not every thought is true and my awareness allows these thoughts to float away like the puffy white clouds in the sky today. I am aware. awareness is changing who I am becoming.

warm home, loving husband, young open minded children, abundant resources, healthy body, choices and chance to look forward with excitement and backward with peace and mostly to now and what is at this moment. I am. you are, we are one.

inner conflict resolution

2011-02-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

redefining my exercise strategy

I love running

I do not love marathon running it is too extreme and for my body it produces too many negatives.

I look at it this way.

Running is an excellent way for me to start my day. It makes me happy, the world is just more beautiful and I feel more alive after 30-60 minutes of running. My bright happy brain is engaged alive and humming for the entire day after a run.

Here is the problem running for 3-5 hours is exhausting, painful and unnatural for me. At my fitness level and age marathon training is hurting me. I ran 13 miles this past weekend and 18 miles the weekend before that and both times the run impacted my entire day took me away from my home and made me wonder WHAT am I doing? I was really in pain toes bloody, left hip aching and many other problems best not discussed.

I am in conflict. Do I stop running? I love running so NO I will not stop running but I will not run for 4-6 hours straight because the damage outweighs the benefit. The stress and cortisol of running that long outweighs the benefits for me.

So can 50 yr old women run marathons? YES I know I can I did last year. But will I? NO probably not, because I know I can but I no longer have that desire.

I am in search of how to live in my body in a healthy positive way. I know that exercise is important to me and I intend to keep moving everyday mostly outside by the ocean. I have added swimming and weight lifting into the mix.

I am grateful for the process of self discovery. I am grateful to those who encouraged me to run a marathon because mostly it is a mind game doing something so unbelievable ~running 26. miles!!

I learned that I can do really hard things.

wake up call

2011-02-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

ego driven goals lead to obstacles meant to teach humility

the obstacle is the path