Saturday, June 29, 2013

Couch to 5K?

So many people on Facebook are becoming avid runners lately!   Everyone's logging their times and their routes via some kind of app on their phones & then sharing it.   I am so interested in becoming more active like this!  But I want to be able to do it inside.   So, I did some searching and it turns out there is a treadmill version of C25K.    Sweet!

So, starting Monday (maybe Sunday) -- I'm going to start with this pretty cool new routine.

Check it out!   (this is a link to the website but I posted the workout below as well) 

Looks ok.   : ) 



Couch to 5k Treadmill Version

From the site:  Thanks to Ian for creating this version of C25K which is perfect for use on a treadmill. I am often asked how fast you should run and walk on the treadmill. The answer is that you should run as slowly as possible. In fact, if you can run more slowly, you are probably running too fast. Speed will come over time (after you have finished the program). With the walking, just walk at a nice brisk pace.
1
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

2
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

3
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk


00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk

4
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

5
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-10:00: Run
10:00-13:00: Walk
13:00-18:00: Run
18:00-21:00: Walk
21:00-26:00: Run
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-13:00: Run
13:00-18:00: Walk
18:00-26:00: Run
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-25:00: Run
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

6
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-10:00: Run
10:00-13:00: Walk
13:00-21:00: Run
21:00-24:00: Walk
24:00-29:00: Run
29:00-34:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-15:00: Run
15:00-18:00: Walk
18:00-28:00: Run
28:00-33:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk
7
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

8
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

9
00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Psalm 113

I've been on Blogger since 2005.  The day after Christmas, to be exact.   I must have been home from work since it was the holiday, and decided to start my blogging journey.   I went through my drafts tonight; all of the posts that I started & never finished.   I had one in there with the title of Psalm 113.    I was immediately clueless but knew it had to be of significance, so I opened it.    Damn!   I never wrote anything further than the title.   So, naturally I had to look it up.     Well, since I hadn't noted a verse, only a chapter, I scrolled through to see what I might have been trying to reference.

There were 9 verses:
Hallelujah!
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.a
2     Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
3      From the rising of the sun to its setting.
let the name of the LORD be praised.
4     High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens his glory.c
5     Who is like the LORD our God,
enthroned on high,
6     looking down on heaven and earth?
7     He raises the needy from the dust,
lifts the poor from the ash heap,e
8     Seats them with princes,
the princes of the people,
9     Gives the childless wife a home,
the joyful mother of children.

Ahhh, Verse 9; that was it.   I immediately realized I must have been starting to post an entry about THAT.    And I never went back since that initial draft.   Why?   I don't know; I guess it's the one thing I've always kept private, while I was sharing EVERYTHING else.  So, the long and short of it, is that I don't have children & it's not because I don't want children.   I adore kids & I always wanted kids.  If I thought I'd be good at anything in this life, it was being a mom.   I knew I'd have the instinct and the endless love in my heart for a child.   There was never a doubt in my mind.  Although, even growing up, I had a feeling that I might not have children.  Maybe I knew something.  I guess I shouldn't say NEVER; maybe it was more that I knew it wouldn't come easy.  And it surely hasn't.  
For the better part of 10 years, I have tried unsuccessfully to conceive.  Also, working against me is an early diagnosis of PCOS .........and the solution to that?  Taking the pill to regulate my, otherwise, erratic periods.   Crazy.   I used to get"it" for months at a time and then I wouldn't get it for months.  It was pure chaos.   I didn't know that not having a period could be detrimental to my health; what with the lining building up for months and putting me at risk for "bad" things.  
  So, after I was educated about it, I started taking the pill again, to regulate my cycles  But, yes, I found myself skipping doses to just "see" what would happen.  And a big fat NOTHING happened.   Even when I wasn't on birth control, it never happened.     
What they'd told me years ago, was that I don't ovulate, hence the reason I'd need some drugs to hopefully induce ovulation.  Interesting.
 When I went to my doctor a while back, she handed me the business card for one of the best fertility doctors in the area.  (so she said)... I kept the card for a short time and eventually tossed it.   I refused to have any medical intervention.  I decided that I'd rely on
divine intervention.   Last year, when I went to her, she asked about it and I said I wasn't sure where I stood on it yet - She said she could start me on Metformin.. and see how it went from there.   I still have so many unanswered questions, like why or how that would work for me?   Considering I hadn't any problems in regards to insulin, glucose, or the like.    Then she said in  closing, that I should think about it and decide soon, because, based on my age, I may not have a choice soon.   Hmmmph!    Well, it didn't come out callously, she said it nicely... but it did sink in a little.    So, now, my life is rather crazy, what with Mom's health and just life in general; trying to get back on track, since the hubby's returning to work after a year lay off, umpteen applications & interviews.   Things have calmed a bit for us, in that way. And for that I am so grateful and humble to God - We knew that He had a plan all along & we're finally seeing it unravel.    Sometimes you just wait patiently, knowing that He is always at work.   I still am sticking to the plan that I will entrust this ever happening, to God.   And St. Gerard.   I truly believe that, if being a mother, is part of my plan, it will happen in due time.   God's time - not mine.

In the meantime, I get to be an aunt and focus on other things, like Mom and keeping my stress levels in check, which in turn can keep my health in check.    I dream of a little boy or girl, with my blue eyes or my husband's brown eyes... My nose, or his chin.  Curls or straight hair.  He has the curls, not me.  : )    I want someone calling me "mom" and clinging to me in a thunderstorm.  Turning his nose up at brussel sprouts & me LETTING him, because I hated them when I was little.  (Now I could eat them EVERY day.)   I don't dwell on it much, if ever, but of course, I find myself feeling a little discouraged now & again.    There were a couple of times I had some meltdowns but I always get through it & my husband has been my shield.   He always 'takes the bullet' for me when someone asks... He always has.    He knows what it means to me & he's never pressured me about it.  If he has a strong desire to be a dad, I surely don't know it.  I wish I knew.   But he's afraid to hurt me or make me feel inadequate. I know this & it's precious and so compassionate.   So, maybe one day there'll be a post all about "baby" - and if there's not, well that's ok too.   My life is so full in other ways.   I remember the day we got married, back in April of 2010, and we did a full Catholic mass, where we go to the alter of the Blessed Mother and pray together.  I remember kneeling & praying with all my heart, asking Mary to bestow children upon me, if it were HER Holy Will.   I really meant that.  I always remember to include that in my prayers.   I started a novena to St Gerard last week and then I got scared and thought "Oh my goodness, what if it works?"  - "Was I ready?"  -   Boy, am I a confusing gal or what?   






Monday, June 24, 2013

Summer is here!


So happy that summer is finally here.   Yes, I love it.   I don't fret about the heat too much; it's better than winter cold and that awful white stuff.    I'm excited about BBQs, flowers growing, home grown produce,  going to the shore, driving around with the top down....  the list goes on and on.
I always live for the Spring & Summer days.  

We haven't made any concrete plans for this summer yet, since hubby just got back to work, after a year long lay off.  **Can I get an AMEN?**    Thank you Lord.
 We'll probably get in a couple of trips to Smithville and Seaside Heights.   Jeff has never been to Seaside Heights.    When my sisters and I were kids, that's where we usually went with my parents.  We also went to Wildwood, but not as much, that I remember.   Either one is nice.    I just can't believe how things have changed since we were kids.  Especially the prices.    We used to be able to play the games on the boardwalk without flinching & now they're running from $2 and up. Per game?    Our parish carnival has much better deals!   No game, exceeds $1 and most are .25 to .50 cents.    I might just be way too cheap but I don't know how families can afford all the things we did when we were kids.   SO much has changed.. but I guess with the resort towns, they feel that their high prices are justified.   Whew.

So, that's my quick post, for now.  What are your summer plans this year?



Thursday, June 20, 2013

a yummy recipe - marifredo?

I have several posts in mind, for the next few, but I'll start with something simple and yummy today!  
I printed out a recipe from Tasty Kitchen a while back and just happened to have all the ingredients on hand this week! 
So, I whipped it up for dinner and tweaked it a little, and I was pleasantly surprised at the result!   And to add to MY own delight, my husband had a second helping!  He really liked it.  Gotta mark that one down and make it again; it was such a hit.

Here's all you need:

Jar of marinara ( any one you like)
Jar of alfredo sauce
box of mini or regular penne
package of Perdue short cuts (chicken)

Mix the jar of alfredo in a small pot with 1/2 the jar of marinara.   (the recipe called for 1/2 of each)  but I shy away from too much red sauce, as my esophagus is not a big fan)

Heat the chicken in a pan with a little olive oil or cooking spray.

Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce in a large bowl and when serving individual plates, top with the chicken.
This dish was so delicious!!    Kind of reminded me of a light vodka sauce or a blush sauce.   Do try it!

** I added a photo of the recipe I found on Tasty Kitchen **  I didn't want to steal the photo - but I forgot to take one and recipes are just not as enticing without a photo.
I didn't add the peas or the pepper garnish(?)

I even made some home made garlic bread -  YUM!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Mom updates

Well, today is Mom's follow up appointment with her medical oncologist.   Just to recap: she goes to chemotherapy every week, but only the 3rd week, she actually meets with her medical oncologist.  Usually after she's had some labs done and/or a CT or PET scan.   This past Friday, she had her latest CT scan done; today will be the day that the results are discussed.   As of the last CT results, he implied that he may not continue treatment based on this last scan.   There hadn't been much change, if any, in the scans that she'd had previously.  So, I guess his thinking was to not put her through the grueling chemotherapy if he didn't feel that it had been successful, thus far.
  I know, since both tumors (breast & lung) were Stage IV, that we were up against a tough situation here, but I've been hopeful all along that we'd get some positive results out of the treatment.  Miracles HAVE happened and I have definitely prayed long and hard.
If you follow  Mom's Caring Bridge page    you'll see where I had a little rant last week, about the technician telling Mom she saw no changes etc.
Big NO NO on her part.  So, of course, Mom has been worried sick about this appointment today.
But we hope for the best - and see what Dr. Alex says.   Of the 2, the lung tumor is the one that's been the most difficult of the 2, to treat.   If surgery had been an option, things would've been way different, I'm sure.
But unfortunately, it was inoperable because it was invasive & had attached to vital structures in her chest.
I've read so much literature that I picked up here and there and sent away for some too, and I just feel that there are many more options out there if this chemotherapy hasn't worked.

I'll keep the Caring Bridge page updated  and will post tonight on here, as well. 
If Mom is still having her long session chemo today, then I'll have my lap top and will update sooner.







Saturday, June 08, 2013

Saturday busyness!

Today was a day of busy!   Mom and I headed to the Cancer Survivor's Day over at the center where she gets her chemotherapy & where her oncologist also is.   It was a pretty nice event that they held.  Lots of fantastic items to win in the basket raffle, where the survivors paid ZERO for their 20 tickets!

There was a "red carpet" and several cardboard cut outs you could pose with.  Fun stuff!
We had a free lunch of pizza, beverages, fresh fruit, soft pretzels.....  Then there was a Baskin Robbins ice cream station!   Holy ice cream.     There were several flavors to choose from and then you were on your own, to top it how you pleased!  Never saw so many ice cream toppings.  I stuck with hot fudge, rainbow sprinkles (or jimmies, as we say in Jersey) ....and chocolate sprinkles.   Mom got brave with the whipped cream too and piled it on high.    So funny.

I think the rain literally held out just for this event because as soon as I started driving away, when it was all over with, the rain started coming down.     I took a couple of pictures with my phone, since my batteries died in my camera. Boo hoo.  : (

Then we went right from there, to my niece's dance recital.  It was so wonderful!  All of the dancers did so well & I was so proud of my niece for her performance; she is growing up so quickly.  She has decided to take the next year off for dance, because she wants to be on a sports travel team and it's a lot of commitment.   Good for her!    

We ended our day with dinner at a local seafood place we love - Where we always drive the other patrons crazy, by playing the juke box. 
I'm so ready for bed now.... what a day!

Tomorrow, we'll go to church and then we're planning on going to an Indian pow-wow.   Good times!
I'll have plenty of pictures of that, I hope!   They're very cool! My pop pop was of American Indian descent... so we were always partaking in things like this.   I know it sounds kind of hokey but we enjoy it.

Mom did have her CT scan on Friday & we'll see what Dr. Alex says next week... 
Going to be an anxious week.

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

lazy days of ... Spring?

Ever have one of those days, where you have a gazillion things you SHOULD be doing but haven't gotten to ONE of them yet?   That's me, today.   I had to finish the dishes, get 2 loads of laundry folded and put away, hang some clothes in the closet, that are sitting on my dresser...   
I even almost talked myself into going to the mall tonight & decided not to.   I had no motivation. 
Plus, if you add Lifetime into the mix, you know you'll never get off your butt then.
These movies pull me in, each and every time.   

I have a busy weekend coming up - And lots of pictures to post afterwards.
Saturday I have the Cancer Survivors event for my mom. Should be fun!  They'll have a red carpet, and a faux "paparazzi", and lots of raffles and prizes for the survivors.   Hope the weather is nice, I plan to get plenty of pictures and really want Mom to have a good time.  Then we have my niece's recital right afterwards.    Sunday we're supposed to go to a pow-wow with my dad.   We used to go all the time; they're actually very cool.   I forget which tribe my pop-pop was from, but he had it in his bloodline somewhere.  Lots of fun & interesting stuff.   Looking forward to a fun, eventful weekend ahead, and it's only Tuesday!  

Friday is Mom's CT scan, so PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for really good results when she sees the oncologist again.    We need some shrinkage folks.   If you're reading this and can do so, please say a quick prayer for her.   Thank you..