Cute Red Purse-Thanks Jill!

Yes, it's really a deep red but on my cell it looks burgundy. I can't wait to use it! :)
Perfect with my bow barrette.

Still a fire!

They shook Jag nerves & they rattled their brains
The long drives drove them all insane
They broke their will, oh what a thrill
Goodness gracious great footballs a fire!

Well, it didn't help that "Desperate Housewives" centered around fire last night. I had a hard time sleeping after all that. I just knew the creepy old lady in the Solis lives was a gonner.

I've run my mouth way too much about the "Marry Me, Finnegan" sign for Thanksgiving day so we have to do it. Otherwise, nobody will see us. I even told my Farm Bureau agent on friday & he laughed himself silly. We're going to try NOT to blend in too much with the other fans. Here we go again, trying to get on TV. :)

I did read some of the last chapter in "Every Second Counts" last night. It's mainly about team work. I've enjoyed this book but you can tell from the hints of personal problems that the marriage was suffering some then when Lance Armstrong wrote it. He paints a very positive picture of Kristin (Kik) Armstrong. She's such a GREAT runner these days. I used to love reading her columns in "Runners World" but I let my subscription run out because it seemed like she was the only thing I ever read in there anymore.

Projected week of exercise (Sat I have to pack most of my stuff for Thanksgiving!)
Today: Rest
Tues: 1 hr spin & ab work
Wed: jog/run, weight machines
Thurs: 45 min spin, elliptical, ab work
Fri: Rest
Sat: 1 hr spin, elliptical
Sun: bike some around PW

In the words of Jerry Lee Lewis...

..."Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!" During the 1st Qtr I was calmly sitting on the couch. At the end of the 1st Qtr, I was doing ab work, pilates, 5 lb free weights, etc....I even got my foam roller out for my hip that wasn't hurting. I had to or I would have been scratching the paint off the walls. At one point, I told myself, "It's ok for them to lose because it would take the pressure off." Then I thought, "Nah, damn it, this is the Jags!" Then they started planting Gerrard's butt on the turf, Lendale went back in, & Kerry's arm went to work. Thank God!

I did MORE shopping today, plus 65 mins on the elliptical. I would have done more but oh well... Just ran out of time. Tomorrow is a rest day for sure.

10 - 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday Rainy Activities

Sat morning workout:
30 mins elliptical
1 hr spin class
(note to self: spinning is really hard when you've already been on the elliptical for 30 mins)
Paul S. was there even though he was on sinus infection meds & not 100%. I told myself if he could get through it, I could. Bless his heart, he's tough. I was tasting my salty sweat & I remembered the dill pickle potato chips from Friday evening. Blah!

Linda trimmed my hair & we played with it. She & Gena are selling jewelry with Murona (sp?) crystal in it. It's pretty cool & actually bought to wear to a company Christmas party (not mine, Joe's). I bought several pieces as gifts & a hair barrette for myself. Suddenly, the urge to Christmas shop took over. I went for it. Tullahoma was bustling & the Coker building was decorated. I got a vanilla latte & realized, "I think I'm in the mood to shop." Most of you know I'd rather take a bullet than go into a mall so this was big & I went with it. My barrette is small & shouldn't weigh my hair down. Yeah, I do try to look like a woman sometimes, I promise. :P I fell victim to a new pair of shoes, got a box ready for Jersey, & bought things for my Aunt Becky's Dirty Santa party in Nashville on the 13th. I have very few left to buy for & most of them are in San Antonio.

I've decided that I'm definitely coming to PW to ride & cheer the monkey runners with Jill until 11am. Hannah, Jeff, & I are watching the Jets game in the 'boro at noon. Since Hannah & I will likely not see each other on our birthdays (1st wk of Dec), I'm giving her a fabulous butterfly necklace. You see, I talked her out of buying an overpriced necklace in New York City this summer & this necklace sort of reminded me of it. I laughed when I saw it because this necklace is literally a fraction of what that one cost on the SATC tour we took. Sure this one wasn't designed by someone for celebrities but it's really cool. I can't wait for her to see it & right now she's too busy to read this blog so I think I'll surprise her! :P

Raining down on our Saturday

Dill pickle potato chips, obviously, have crack in them because I couldn't put them down last night. I ate way too many & I dare say I was almost sick. Blah! I think I brushed my teeth & gargled about 3X before I got the taste out of my mouth.

I did hit the elliptical for 60 mins & I walked for 30 after work yesterday at Harveys. I was in bed by 9:30pm so obviously, I'm up & ready to hit the Rec Ctr. I do NOT like their TVs in there. At Harvey's each individual machine has a TV. All you have to do is plug in & you are in control of what YOU want to watch. At the Rec Ctr, they appear to be set FOREVER on the same channels way up on the wall in front of all the machines. You have to tune them in on a radio, I presume. I don't like that at all. If I'm on an elliptical for an hour you can bet I'll channel surf. That's something I'll dearly miss when I let Harvey's expire at the end of next June. *Sigh* Is it sad that I'm already starting to miss this gym that I've practically lived at since March of 2003? If there were a way that they could add some spin classes, I would totally stay there & not renew the Rec Ctr.

Is it me or has this week seemed like it's "Seattle" here? We saw the sun peak through for maybe an hour yesterday. That's pretty sad when the office gets excited about a little sun.

I started a game at work yesterday afternoon called, "Baby Fantasy". Sorta like football fantasy but NOT... We're tweaking it still. My Japanese boss is expecting. Most of us think it's a boy. She'll find out next month. So, we've got a pool going there. Another gal just got married & we're guessing which month she'll be "pregnant by". Yeah, we really are busy in there, seriously...I promise. :P And yes, we are actually hiring a new person in our office. I wouldn't want the job myself but I've been pulling resumes out of my bosses box for a couple of weeks now. A lot are from Murfreesboro, some from McMinnville, & a few from Tullahoma. I hope he gets someone that "fits us". I know in my interview many moons ago, he told me that he thought I'd fit right in with my personality. I didn't know how to take that but obviously I got the job. He has described me in my reviews as quiet, unassuming, & when I do say something it's usually funny. So, I'm ok with that. :)

Well, I guess I'll start my swim to Manchester for some calorie burn. As for the hair this afternoon, I've decided to keep it. (Just a trim!)

Happy Rainy Saturday!

Everything that I've read says.......

......."stop that Jacksonville run game". Well, they need to stop "Thunder & Lightening" & the Kerry Collin's much improved accurate arm. :P I hope I remember to breathe after 4:15pm on Sunday.

Full Circle

For months I've had a feeling that DLAG (Dead Last in his age group or Swinger, whichever fits him at the moment) was lurking in the shadows. My very good friend, Elaine, confirmed it this morning. With this blog being private, I can now say this....what truly goes around, comes around. It takes some people a while to realize what they gave up, took forgranted, etc... Yes, this person has realized it now. :P Too late, so sorry, & get lost is my reaction. I've been destined for way more than what this person ever had to offer anyway. I. AM. HAPPY. This person will never have any say in my happiness (or lack there of) ever again. I must admit, it sure feels good to hear that he's suffering because I gave all I had & it wasn't good enough. Someone else will get all that & then some, I'm sure. ha!

In my life, I've had my fair share of disappointments & believe me, it's not all been running related. I thank God every day for being blessed with good friends & family who "have my back". I truly hope in some ways I give that back to them. Happy Sweet Justice Friday!

On a gym workout note:
I was stiff as a board this morning. I'm sure it was the 45 mins of straight climbing yesterday morning in spin class. When she announced we'd climb the entire time, she wasn't joking! That & what I did last night made me stiff but not really sore. Wow, I have missed this feeling!

Just in case we need it...

I have reserved a room with two beds at the Ramada Inn LP Field for Apr 24th, checking out on Apr 25th. I'm only doing the half and so is Pam. Patti is still undecided as to whether she can come down. If we don't need the room, I can cancel. Always best to be early with a booked room for the Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon, especially since it's the 10th yr for the event in '09.

Finishing the day....

.....with 20 mins elliptical, 40 mins jog/walk (3.52 miles), & 45 min spin class early this am. Tomorrow I do plan to hit the elliptical after work sometime. I plan to hit it hard this weekend with my "To Do List" & the gym. I found out our Christmas party was cancelled, which is really no big deal to me. Ahh, times...they are a changing....

The consensus in the hallway today between my engineers & me...we are worried about the Jag game on Sunday. Ahhh, fingers crossed!!

Thursday morning thoughts....

***Coworkers who bring in doughnuts should be fired on the spot & led out to their cars at gunpoint never to return.

***I'm converting slowly to an early morning workout person...so don't have a heart attack when I write that I did weights at 5:30am.

***Metallica is the only thing that totally wakes me up in the early morning spin classes.

***Erin S. told me that Jesse McCartney is the half time act at Ford Field on Thanksgiving day. I'm not a huge fan but all the more to stay on my feet yelling, screaming, & dancing. (Alchohol will have to be involved.)

***I have something new I want to buy, "compression socks". After reading Lana's blog, I've decided that they may be something I've needed all along.

***Depending on what I get done this weekend, I'm tossing around the idea of taking my bike to PW to watch "The Flying Monkey Marathon" on Nov 23rd. It would be cool to cheer some folks on....I would be the one screaming, "Get done before kick off!!" (Jets play that day in Nashville) I'll just have to see how the next week or so goes....until I commit.

Dec 6th: Tim's Ford State Park race and Shelbyville Parade 5k

I know most of the Looney Tooner's from the state park races & some locals will be at the Tim's Ford race but Shelbyville is kicking off their parade at 6pm with a 5k. I won't be at either since I'll be in Nashville that day/night & the next day at the Brown's game.

http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1651487&assetId=73CFF1CE-97D4-4170-A300-F13C885E0060

Feeling Thankful early.......

Our company has had to pull some business from some smaller companies to keep from laying off anyone on our lines. We don't have temps anymore right now & as far as I can tell, we're ok, which is saying a lot for an interior auto parts supplier. I really believe that it will get worse before it gets better but at least gas is down below $2.00 right now. A lot of folks thought it would never get below $3.00. It only took about $22.00 to fill my empty Civic tank up the other day, which made me pretty excited. :)

I'm feeling pretty good physically even though I look banged up. ha!
In addition to the early morning 1 hr spin yesterday, I did 30 mins on the elliptical last night, some weight machines, & free weights. Tonight MORE of the same with 65 mins on the elliptical. I think I'll wait till Thursday to try to "jog" on the deathmill. I'm thinking I need to sneak a friday work out in this week, too. (Calorie Burn!!!!!)

I'd like to get the leaves up out of the front yard on Sat but dang, it's only going to get up in the upper 40's from what the news says...brrrrr.... I'll get in the 1 hr spin & then a haircut. I'm about tired of the straight mess yet I don't want anything too drastic. Ummmm......

My chiropractor lined me up pretty well last night. She's not been out of school long & I can tell because she acts like she cares. The last owner of the place scared me with her adjustments. She would throw me around the room or so it seemed. I'm glad the Estill Springs office sold to a very good, reputable doctor because I sure didn't have much respect for the last owner. I won't go into what I know but some doctors run you in like cattle just to make a buck & just don't seem to care what's going on with your body. Let's put it this way, my adjustments used to last less than 10 mins. Now they last more than 15 mins & she doesn't stop until she knows everything is aligned. This new gal has me lay face down so she can measure where my hip lines up with the back of my heel. She adjusts me until she's satisfied with the way it looks. The former docs were too busy trying to hurry up & get out of there. I'm thankful for a chiropractor who cares.

I'm hoping to finish, "Every Second Counts" by Lance Armstrong this weekend. The first book was very inspiring but this one sure opens up my eyes as to what he's gone through post cancer & with the allegations he was a doper. Shame on those French, they not only can't swim but they can't bike either. Lance spent many a snowy day in those mountains when no other cyclist was to be found anywhere. The fact that the French believe he was given some kind of illegal miracle drug during chemo is just down right stupid.

Happy Hump Day Wednesday!

Happy Veterans Day (& a small rant...)

1st of all "Happy Veterans Day". I know a lot of Vets & lived with one for 10 yrs so I totally appreciate what they do or have done for our freedoms. :)

2nd of all, I had to send out an email to some folks who really like to text message a lot. :P
I love each & every one of you guys but because of the election, my cup has run over with the texting. I had enough sense today to check them. My coworker was griping about getting too many & it made me start to wonder. I got a lot during the election week most of which I didn't even open (in email, too!).

I HATE forwarded emails with a passion unless it's fitness or running related. The "girlfriend's day" forwards drive me crazy! Or "send this to 10 of your friends in 10 mins or you will suffer 10 yrs of bad luck". I mean seriously, who has this kind of time on their hands these days? I know I don't. Sure I have time for this blog but it's usually 7:15am or lunch time at work when I log into this blog. So anyway, good ole fashion phone calls seem to be a thing of the past. Sure, texting is easy when you don't have time to talk. I send quite a few when I'm trying to get a point across, find out when/where I'm running with the running folks, etc... That's how it all started with me a few years ago. Sending a blanket text message to folks I was running with at the time was easier than making 4-5 phone calls. So, I'm guilty & I'm going to change my ways!

So, FYI to those that text me or send text message forwards, don't!!
If you have something important to say, call me or send me an email. I have a blackberry with internet so I never miss an email that comes into my charter account. Besides it's always nice to hear a voice even if it is just for 5 minutes.

My Tuesday Lunch Rant is over.......carry on with your regularly scheduled blog reading.
I'm Lisa Smith & I approve this message.

Backing it down a little.....

I survived 45 mins spinning with the banged up knee, some ab work, & 30 slow mins on the elliptical last night. I didn't do the intensity that I normally do with the tension on the bike but I still got in a good sweat. We had a FULL class just like we did on Sat morning. I'm so glad I can get there somewhat early to grab a bike & throw my CMM towels on it. :P

Since I had to move a chiropractor appt around, I realized yesterday that I needed to get my butt up for the EARLY Tues spin so I did. I backed it down a little there too since it is a whole hour. I will go to Harvey's for about an hour tonight for the weight machines, stretching, maybe some time on the elliptical. It's all about burning calories right now for me...no real training for anything. I'm not allowed. :(

I will say I do like the fact that my legs do seem stronger & I have a chest these days. The free weights have given me a little more definition than I had back in the Spring/early Summer. I cannot complain too much but would still like to drop some weight before the Thanksgiving getaway to Michigan. I cannot wait to see cousin, Patti & the rest of the Harris family. :)

Oh yeah.....and that little thing we're doing on Thanksgiving day should be a total blast.
Go Titans!!!!

Not sexy

Black n' blue Trail knee. I took this photo while at my desk with the bone growth stimulator machine attached to my shin. (What a sight I am!) I'm still going to spin class tonight. :P

What I like about this time of year? Fall & Football!

9-0! 9-0! 9-0! Javon Kearse fixed is #90 jersey to fit the current record by putting a piece of tape in between the 9 & 0. It is the year...for the Titans not to tip toe into the playoffs but go long, run long, run short, & kick their way into the playoffs. Much like the Packer's game, the Bears were difficult to beat. Joe & I watched it gritting our teeth the entire time. Letting go of the run game when they did was a smart move because I got tired of screaming "Stop handing it off!" Anyway, I've come down off my high now. Next week, they're still on the road & in Jacksonville.

"The Blue Chair" is so charming, so bright, colorful, & the food was really good. Going there on a Fall day just made it seem that much better I think... We had chicken wrap sandwiches, a smoothie called "Church Lady" & a piece of divine pecan pie with low fat frozen yogurt on it. Thank God, I had sweated myself to death in the Sat morning 1 hr spin class.

Me in THE blue chair. Joe S. in THE blue chair. The Lemon Fair. (Reminded me of the shops in Bell Buckle)

We drove around campus trying to find "The Bridal Veil" falls. After hiking about 1.5 miles, two women assured us they couldn't find it. They suspected that it was dried up. So, we settled for what I called, "little flower girl waterfall". (See pic of Joe next to it. If you squint, you can see the water. Click to enlarge)
I'm such a genius I start jogging a little on the leafy path & fell, of course. (It was too tempting) I now have a goose egg on the side of my right knee. As long as it doesn't keep me from spinning, I really don't care but gesh, that hurt! My core got so warm I started shedding some layers but by the time we got to the Cross, it got windy & the temp seemed to drop. Joe by tiny "little flower girl" waterfall.
Joe under the Cross. I'd post some of me but I was wind blown & cold. I felt fat after eating such a big lunch & my knee hurt but we had a great time. It was a like being in a Fall Fairy Tale land. If you've never been to Sewanee or Monteagle in the Fall, go!We saw "Madagascar 2" at the Montana Drive In Sat night. It wasn't near as good as the first one. I just remember the penquins being a lot more funny for some reason. We ate Drive In pizza & had fun anyway. :)

The Big Dummy Project

Jim continues to inspire me with his bike ride across the U.S. (with Elke) to raise awareness of juvenile diabetes. If you have not visited his blog, please do so. :) I pray every day for him & his journey.

I woke up this morning wondering if my shin will always be susceptable to injury now. I'm wondering whether or not it will ever be strong enough for speedwork again much less a long training run.... Yes, I'm fully aware that there are many others out there who have had this type of stress fracture. I'm well aware that they have healed & went on to run marathons again but sometimes I feel so inadequate, less built for the sport, & just puiny. Looking at those small bones on the X ray made me wonder why I had not cracked something earlier than this year. I have a lot of padding on them but they're small. If you have ever seen my wrists, you know what I mean. I have the wrists of a 10 yr old!

There's another nagging question too....Did that paper towel holder have 26.2 miles of towels in it? :P

Just as I thought...

You are wondering why I took a photo of the doctor's office paper towel dispenser, right? Well, Number 1, I was bored, Number 2, it was there, Number 3, it has the word "marathon" on it, Number 4, I don't have one damn bit of sense left in my head. :P

Well, just as I thought, the shin is no where near 100% BUT the indention isn't a black crack anymore. It's more like a thin line on the front of my shin. He doesn't have a clue why I have the dark spot on the front of my shin, which is still very much there. I told him that I had been "testing" the shin lately & that walking at a decent pace doesn't make it sore anymore. I was too afraid to tell him I had been doing the jog/walk thing on the deathmill the last few weeks. He did tell me (without me threatening his life) that I could do a mile here & there but NO all out running, NO TRAINING, just a mile or two here & there maybe a couple times a week. I didn't tell him I was already doing that. :P He was actually quite pleasant & he told me he was glad I got a bike & found other ways to burn off my nervous energy. I don't know what he meant by that because you all know I'm never nervous about anything! :P

To the best of his knowledge & my gut feeling, we have decided that probably by Feb I can start REALLY running again. Cousin Pam has asked me twice about the CMM 1/2. She really wants to do it again & I cannot tell her no. So, I'm registering even if I walk the whole way with her. Flying Pig in Cincinnati may just have to wait till I can actually run the FULL one year. The next X ray is Feb 19th. Let's hope it will be the LAST X ray! (Thanks for the well wishes/fingers crossed on the shin, Jill & Joe S. but you'll have to keep hoping & wishing through February!)

Tonight, I did 65 mins on the elliptical, some crunches, & a few weight machines. I talked to Carla & she picks up her new bike on Sat. The first semi-warm weekend day, I'm dragging her out to the base or we may have to do the "Cracker Barrel" and back ride from Tullahoma. Let's hope we get a few mild days here & there this month or next. Hey, I know what day would be good to ride! The day of Rocket City will probably be "unnaturally warm & humid" for the runners. So, I'll plan on that day to ride. :P

It won't be good...BUT...

It won't be that bad either because I can jog some... Yep, I'm talking about the X ray this afternoon. I walked/jogged over 5 miles on the dreadmill last night. I know the fracture has not healed 100% but it's definitely better than the last time the quack bone doc X ray'd me in Aug. I know it's better because back in Aug, I could barely walk at a decent pace without it hurting. I'm now doing a shuffle & it's ok. So, it is better than it was in Aug. (I was diagnosed in June!) I ran out of calcium pills about a month ago & keep forgetting to buy more so that's a must buy this weekend. I can still see the dark spot, especially after I've been on the deathmill & it's looks a little swollen way down the lower part of my ankle. It doesn't hurt at all while I type this but still it's not 100% & I'm prepared for the bad attitude bone doc to tell me that. If he proceeds to tell me that "most people around here aren't built to run" like he did the last time, it will take all my will power NOT to tell his out of shape ass off. I don't like him, don't like him at all. He has a horrible attitude towards me simply because I have not healed yet. Why do you think I went from Aug to Nov without any X -rays? I didn't want to see the dork. After he releases me he won't ever see me again. My friend Terri J. works in the physical therapy part of this office. To cut costs, he & his partner have cut the physical therapy end of it from their practice leaving them with no healthcare benefits. (physical therapy is a seperate practice now but still in the same building) I also found out my bone doc cheated on his ex wife with his nurse & is married to that nurse now. She works there in the office & treats the help poorly. So, I have more reasons not to like that man other than his attitude towards people who run. I will NEVER recommend him or his partner to anyone, seriously. I hate people who look down on injured runners, especially if they're big time cheaters!

Last night I not only made my shin sore but the rest of my body got a good beating with the weight machines. My behind is stiff from standing squats with my free weights. I know, "TMI". This morning's early spin class was slow going because of the stiffness but I did it. I dread the early morning rise out of bed on Thursdays but always glad I did it when I leave the Rec Ctr. :)

On a positive note, I can't wait for the weekend to get here. I'm taking Joe S. to Monteagle Mountain to see the leaves, maybe do a little hiking, lunch at the "The Blue Chair", & so much more.... He asked me yesterday if I was going to mention this on here so there ya go... He's in my "bubble". :P

Paul C. in Huntsville: Halloween 2008 best costume

Paul C. rocks like a girl. He won best costume at the party he attended friday night. Thanks to the fake boobs he bought off ebay, the shirt, & wig, I'm sure. He sent me pics of the boobs last week which look really real. They are the type that women wear who've had mastectomy operations. Yikes! Paul, you look like a real woman that I've seen working in Walmart. :P

There should be a law against.....

...coming to work in November when it's going to be 76 degrees! If I were off today, I'd ride my bike all day long. :) My workout last night was much easier to get through without a headache. Paul S. came to the 1 hr spin class & as he left I believe he told me I was trying to kill him. Is that true, Paul? ha! I did manage some ab work & stretching. Tonight I'm planning another attempt at the walk/jog thing on a treadmill at Harvey's.

The election outcome was as I suspected it would be about 2 months ago. Let's face it, with the economy the way it is a Republican could NOT have won this election even if there were NO Democrats running. The only thing I'm going to say is that I pray our military isn't compromised during this new term. Let's face it, anything can happen & it did on 9/11. I'm pretty sure when those buildings came down none of those people were too concerned about healthcare, 401ks, & gas prices. Yes, it's ALL important but a weak front against terrorists makes everything else seem so much less important. I pray for President Elect Obama because he has a long road ahead of him.

Patti has informed me that I have only 20 days left before I come see her. She likes doing countdowns. :) We still haven't decided which 1/2 marathon to do together next year. We had talked about the Flying Pig since it would be an easy drive for both of us. I figure if the shin is better & I decide that I can run a 1/2, doing two on back to back weekends wouldn't kill me. After all, this next CMM will be the 10th anniversary. I hope I don't have to miss it.

So, here's my early letter to Santa this year.

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year as usual. :P
I would like to request a shin with no crack in it.
This has to be the thing I want most because I was told last night in spin class by "talkative guy" that he had heard of me & had heard I was a runner. I want to be a runner again.

I would also like to see the gas prices stay down. (at least below $3.00)
Please give us a strong nation. "One Nation Under God"
I have everything else in my life I could ever want & I refuse to be greedy. So that's it.

Much hugs n' kisses,
Lisa

Thank God, the day is finally here.

The only thing I've enjoyed about the election is the "Saturday Night Live" skits. This past weekend's skit was priceless. If you didn't see the QVC skit, find it on the net. I promise you'll laugh your butt off. :) Looks like there's 3 job openings today, President, Vice President, & UT Football head coach.

Ugh, I fought a migraine/sinus pain all day yesterday. My usual Monday workout was a struggle to get through. I went to bed at 8:20pm, took a Relpax migraine pill at midnight, & I feel 100% better right now. I hate this....every month for about 3-4 days straight I have to drug myself to function.

I did some ab work, the elliptical for 30 mins (slowly), & the 45 min spin class. The weight room is crazy busy right now on Mondays & Tuesdays at the Rec Ctr. There's hardly any room at all to work on your abs in there on the floor so I may bring the yoga ball out into the hallway & dare anyone to say anything to me. I bought a yoga ball & some 5 lb weights this weekend so I have no excuse now to do that part of my workout at home. I still plan to let my Harvey's membership expire at the end of June. This may force me to be more of an early morning workout person, who knows... (It may force me to do weights at 5:30am anyway.)

I'm getting anxious & excited about the holidays. Last year I was fired up about going to see Cheryl in NJ during Thanksgiving. This year, it's Michigan for Thanksgiving. Joe S. got tickets 6 rows in front of Patti & me in the same sec at Ford Field. (Very cool!)

Avery's birthday is at the end of this month so I'm thinking of sending my youngest nephew a gift card & my "Smith" jersey. He is Avery Clayton Smith, ya know... I think he'd like it a lot just because it has his name on it. :) Besides it's not like I'm not ever going to go back to training camp. I can get another one.

Tonight:
1 hr spin
some ab work & stretching

Wednesday:
65 mins of walk/jog treadmill
weight machines
maybe some time on the elliptical

Thursday: Another friggin' X ray on the cracked shin

8 - 0, who would have thought?

It was an overtime win but a WIN! My butt ended up 5 rows from the field in section 133. (They were a lively bunch!) After breakfast, Hannah & I started walking around while Jeff got a $2 bloody mary at "Coyote Ugly". Hannah started talking to a guy named Will & his girlfriend. He had one ticket to get rid of & that's all I needed. I got a $73 dollar ticket for $60. We traded cell numbers so the next time I sit alone at LP, hopefully it will be on Will's tickets. Ever since he got a girlfriend, he's had to buy a set together leaving this lone seat empty. Thanks Will, you are my new best football buddy. :)

I have scored some Browns tickets for Dec 7th at face value from Erin in the south endzone, section 123. THANKS Erin!! :) Joe S.is going with me. (I hope to see him at Ford Field, too, since he'll be there for Thanksgiving also.)

So, this is about it for me unless someone twists my arm for the Jets & the Steelers. (I never say never...) I can't believe half the season is over for the Titans & they are UNBEATEN!

Praying before game. Halftime was a tribute to the Veterans. Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless the USA" while the troops held a flag in the shape of the US. Always very cool to see.
Celebrating with ice cream! (fat free twist @ Mike's ice cream shop) Overtime win! 19-16

HUGE Congrats to the Irongals

Michele & Lana!
Very glad they did so well & thanks for the live text updates, Jill.
I watched Michele come over the finish line on ironmanlive.com. That was pretty cool!

Heard from June in New York City. She got a 37 min PR with a time of 4:55. :) I am looking forward to her race report!!!!!

Brief Ironman/weekend update

As I type this, Lana & Michele are nearing the 2nd half of the run...I pray they are hydrated! Jill is sending text messages while I track online. Michele was 5 mins ahead of Lana on the bike finish but on the run they are pretty much even from what the Ironman website says. Fabulous!

Had a blast last night drinking two hurricanes at Mimi's while still in costume with Joe S. I should know to stop at ONE. :P Felt a little blah but made myself burn the toxins out of my body at the 1 hr spin class this morning. Got the oil changed/tire rotation on the civic, cleaned a little, got groceries, & agreed to buy Erin's Browns tickets for Dec 7th. Whoo Hoo!!! A fairly productive Saturday so far...
Hannah got free upper level tickets from her boss yesterday for the Packers game. I'm meeting her & Jeff for the Coyote Ugly breakfast then I'm going to get my ticket. Should be another great game, I hope...