running

We ran 20 miles today. Man does it feel good to type that. At about mile 15 I was desperately trying to distract myself from the painful task at hand by day dreaming about how today's blog entry might go. It sounded something like this:

I HATE RUNNING. Running a marathon is the most idiotic idea I've ever had, and I've had some doozies. Why am I still running?! Each step is most certainly carrying me closer to my ever imminent impending doom. I will most certainly have a physical and emotion breakdown if I continue this insanity. When was this ever fun? If I stop now Jeremy can run to the car while I sit under this shaded tree, elevating my blistered, swollen feet and reassuring myself that 18 miles is far enough. I mean, do I really need to go the extra 8.2?! What do I have to prove? That's farther than most people have run in there life. I am an accomplished runner. So what if we payed $125 each to run this race...wait, I payed $125 to torture myself?! I have officially lost my freaking mind. Look at Jeremy, he doesn't even look tired. And if he tells me I am "doing a good job" one more time I swear I'm going to quit. That will show him to be supportive and encouraging.

What actually was coming out of my mouth was a vomitous spew of vile words that would have sent my grandmother into hours of prayer. If I hadn't been so consumed by own self pity I might have noticed parents covering their small children's ears while giving me ojo.

Why Jeremy did not run far ahead of me and act like he has no link to the sad, pathetic, barely running crazy lady who appears to only know curse words, is beyond me. This, folks, is one of the reasons I know I have great guy. He kept going with his blasted positive quips of encouragement.

Mile 17.5 I verbalized (while still running I would like to note) that I was "broken" and "walking once we got to the bridge." Broken, yes, I said I was broken! I'll admit I have a flair for dramatics when the mood strikes me, but "broken"?! - come on, Tamara. In retrospect I'm shocked that he didn't just bust out in laughter. Maybe he was scared his insanely tired, explicative spewing wife would turn her current hatred for running on him. (Good call on that, sweetheart) Instead he tells me the one thing that probably kept me running. "Your lucky I'm not Jillian Michaels. Do you really want to quit now? We are so close. What would Jillian Michaels do."

He WWJMDed me...and it worked!! Not that I stopped my bitching. But I did continue to run, albeit very slowly. I started to think about watching the footage of Jillian Michaels screaming at me while I sobbed about how "I..I...I...caaahhhhnnnn't" with a camera in my pathetic, tear and sweat streaming red face. I decided right then that me and my potty mouth would finish this run.

The potty mouth dropped out at about mile 18.5. I, however, didn't quit. I didn't quit for lots of reasons. Mainly because I have a wonderful husband who pushes me when I need to be pushed, and does it with love. We finished strong, and by strong I mean I was back at my regular pace.

After a shower, some coffee, and warm, snugly spot on the couch I can confidently announce that I LOVE RUNNING. I love running because it strengthens my relationship with my husband and my running buddies. I love running because it makes me proud of myself. I love running because I can do it. I LOVE RUNNING!

I'd rather be knitting.

Today has been the longest work day EVER! It was screening day at my school. It was orchestrated with the fine tuning of a 7th grade band class. I am so releaved it is over.

I just want to go home and knit. I am working on some Pen State colored baby hats for my sister-in-law's friend. They live in Canada so the hats are sure to be useful, eh? Just thinking about it makes me wish we lived somewhere where it snows. I could curl up with Patton all day and knit to my hearts content.

Did I mention I spent 2 hours of my life untangling a ball of yarn on Wednesday? It was totally worth it.

I love knitting and Jeremy!!

Today is a great day!

First, I got some YUMMY yarn at a local yarn boutique, Shabby Sheep. The girls there were more than helpful and I walked out with some beautiful Alpaca/wool blend.



This delicious yarn will be used for my first ever sweater. I am excited and a little scared, but more excited than scared! :)

Here's a pic of my first sweater pick; so beautiful:



I finished the booties and hat my mom ordered for my cousin's, Alaina, new baby. Her name is Emma Sophia. I think they turned out really well.




Third, and finally, I have to show you what my wonderful husband brought home for us. I beautiful dresser built in 1957. That's one year younger than out house! It's gorgeous an I love him...and the dresser.

Dog Days of Summer 2009

I heart summer!! And I think Patton does too. We spent two and a half hours at the dog park yesterday morning where Patton proceeded to repeatedly dive into the mud pit. He was an alligator stealthily awaiting innocents to naively crouch at the edge of the hole for a drink, swiftly lurching for them as they got too close, then retreating back to the murk as they fled. I can only imagine what the other dog owners thought of this National Geographic scene. When all the other dogs left Patton to his own devises he spent his time diving head first into the pit then wallowing like a pig. We played some fetch and decided to call it a day when his full body mud mask appeared to be dry. Needless to say he was decontaminated when we got home.

Patton stalking his prey. Notice his inconspicuous technique with butt in the air:


Fetch! What a good boy!


Did you say "treatzie?" I am listening...


It was worth it.

Knitting Projects

I have been knitting...alot! I love it! I finished the Christmas stocking. It came out okay but is not my favorite work to date. Other projects include:

Jer-Bear TX Scarf (please take note of the burnt orange strips):


Baby Bloem Berry Beanie (our neighbors across the street are having a little girl in July)


Stay tuned for matching booties :)

My New Years Resolution

...is not to blog more. Sometimes I get so busy living life that I forget to write about it. I'll start at the beginning of this year.

Jeremy, Patton, and I had our first big party in the new house on New Year's Eve. We invited over 5 other couples and had a blast celebrating. Needless to say, I ended up getting in a push up contest with the boys before the night was over. Yes, I was in a dress and heels. No, I did not win.





Jeremy let his facial hair grow over the winter break partly to see how he looked but mostly because he didn't want to shave and he was granted permission to be lazy. This was on the condition that he shave it into different styles for my amusement before he shaved it all off.







I turned the big two-eight on the 9th! Jeremy and I had a nice dinner at Toulouse. Cynthia took me to a girls night at Cafe Madrid. And Jackie and John made an excellent dinner and ordered my favorite cake. It was a very birthday intensive weekend.


In other news, a coworker was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo a mastectomy this weekend. She will be in our thoughts and prayers. I made pink ribbons for my school to wear this week to show our support.


Oh, and Sarah-in-law and I ran a half marathon in Houston last weekend. I was so tired the night after the race I fell asleep 5 minutes into watching "Life of Brian." They were sweet and woke me up to put me in bed after the movie was over. Much like Jeremy does every night. I love hanging out with Michael and Sarah!


So that is our 2009 thus far. I'll report back in 2010 ;)

My New Toy!

I just got the Garmin 205 Forerunner, a GPS watch for pacing runs and other sport activities. It has so many features I haven't explored yet, but the basics more than please me. I've gone on two runs since I received it on Wednesday. Patton came with me today. Naturally, he started off in full sled dog mode for about 1/2 mile then he troted at a great pace for a mile. Afterwhich he intermittently switches between full stops and zero-to-60 sprints. He's not the best running dog, but we had fun.

I am starting to settle into my new school. It is really growing on me. I'm making connections with the staff and students. And I finally had time to clean and organize my clinic.

I've been VERY busy at work. A little boy broke his collarbone playing football at recess and the gym teacher also earned himself a trip the ER with a 2 inch laceration to the top of his head. Not to mention the outbreak of lice. Oh, and I have an 11 year old girl who doesn't eat because she thinks her "thighs are too fat." She's rail thin, needless to say. There is so much opportunity to help.

I enjoy the autonomy of school nursing. It is what you make of it! I see everything from small scratches to emergency asthma attacks. The scope of practice for nursing has increased in responsibility. It still amazes me how people underestimate my job. Nursing is truly a rewarding profession!