The final update

So this is it. The final update to my 40 before 40 list. I have learned a lot about making lists with this little experience. Maybe I'll share some of those learnings in another post. I also learned a bit about myself in this process. Maybe I'll share that later too. But first, the final batch of updates to the list.

Thanks to everyone that helped me make many of these things happen!!

1. Visit Schells Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota. March 20 with The Boy!!
   
2. Visit New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
3. Climb a rock wall. I didn't climb a rock wall but I am going to Colorado for a week of hiking and biking in the mountains. That surely counts for something.
   
4. Take a picture inside a men's restroom to prove that I was inside a mens restroom. Thank you, Canterbury.
   
5. Run 40 miles in one calendar month. Completed in June!
   
6. Get my motorcycle endorsement. After years of talking about doing this I have decided this clearly is not important to me. Besides, being a passenger does not suck.
   
7. Do sit-ups every day for 40 days because it is easier, cheaper and less painful than a tummy tuck. Although probably not as effective. Did 3905 sit-ups in 37 days. On day 38 I came down with the plague and was sick for a week. I'm OK with 37 of 40 days as an accomplishment but the results were shit. Damn you, abs of goo!!
   
8. Celebrate one year anniversary with AC. This was impossible to accomplish since we split up after dating for about 7 months. I still celebrate my friendship with him though. That has been going strong for about 8 years.
   
9. Unclutter my attic before it caves in on my vehicle that rests below it. This is a project that is in the works. I'll wrap it up when the temps drop.
   
10. Check my mail or take out the trash after dark, without a big dog or mace and without being scared out of my mind while doing it. Did it during Spring Break when the kids were gone with my sister for the week. Don't think I'll do it again.
    
11. Do a photo inventory of the house and belongings. Post to Flickr for safekeeping. I should assign this to the Girl Child while she's still on summer break.
    
12. Watch a classic movie. You know, something that doesn't have Sandra Bullock in it. ARTHUR! Watched it with The Boy in May and YES! It counts as a classic! The box even said so!
    
13. Get all my CD's on my computer. Completed: December 30, 2009
    
14. Plan myself a super duper crazy awesome 40th birthday party. Yeah. Shit. Didn't get this figured out.
    
15. Go to a store with Personal Shoppers and have them select an outfit that strays from what I would typically wear. Buy said outfit. I still have some shopping to do.
    
16. Take an improv class. As fun as this would be I've decided it ranks with motorcycle class. Not a priority.
    
17. Try rollerblading again. Maybe try it more than once. Thought about it several times. Never did it.
    
18. Read some of the books sitting on my nightstand. I did this! I did this! Although the books aren't sitting near me at the moment so I can't tell you what they were.
    
19. Run around the lake by my house (approximately 13 miles). This is still on the list. I found a local running buddy that is going to do this one with me after I get back from Colorado.
    
20. Write something that I am really really proud of. OK, I know this sounds like I might be cheating but after a lot of thought I have decided this list is something I wrote that I am really proud of.
    
21. Bet on a horse. Lost, lost, lost, won, lost, won, lost, lost.
    
22. Kiss in the rain. AC willing. Since the relationship ended during a snowy season not a rainy one this was really not going to happen. It's OK though. I still have plenty of other very fond memories with him.
    
23. Take a roadtrip with absolutely no prior planning whatsoever. Pack the car and go. Somewhere. Anywhere... I'll do this eventually. Being spontaneous isn't easy when you are booked four months out.
    
24. Take an overnight trip. By bicycle. I will do this eventually. I just need to have a weekend with nothing going on to make it happen.
25. Do something completely spontaneous and fun with the kids. Brownie points if it is something we have never done before. Walked across frozen lake - dogs and kids. Jan 3, 2010. Bid on (AND WON!) a two-night stay (FOR SIX!) in a townhouse on Lake Superior.
    
26. Take a fitness class. Kettlebells, perhaps? Took a Kettlebell class with Denise!! Also took several Spin Classes WHICH I LOVED!
    
27. Shoot a gun. April 3 with my former roommate Paul. AKA Satan, the roommate from Hell.
    
28. Get rid of shoes, clothes, accessories and purses that I don't actually use/wear anymore. Goddamn this was hard.
    
29. Leave the country. Even if it is only to cross the border into Canada. I went to Missouri AND Iowa. Does that count?
    
30. Go to a play at a local theater. Saw Panache at Theater in the Round in Minneapolis on January 24th with The Boy and other friends. Photo!
    
31. Meet someone in person that I originally met online. Done! Met a really cool guy in person in the spring that I had originally met online.
    
32. Attend a murder mystery dinner. FUN! FUN! FUN! Did this with Brian in April. Will do this again. It was a BLAST!
    
33. Touch a snake. If I'm feeling really brave I'll actually hold it. I've decided this is probably never going to happen. I had a great opportunity to do this at the zoo recently but absolutely could not bring myself to do it. I tried. And I'm cool with that.
    
34. Follow one piece of financial advice that I have never followed before. Checked my credit score and reviewed my credit report for accuracy!! Jan 2010
    
35. Watch a bat show in my backyard without my tennis racket. DONE! FREAKY! NEVER AGAIN!
    
36. Create a list of 40 things that rock my world.
    
37. Meditate more. Hell, at this point meditating at all equals MORE. It has been tooooo long! My gawd I suck at this.
    
38. Go through photos from my childhood with my kids. Share with them some of the stories of my youth. I have one night left to do this. By god it's getting done.
    
39. Drink something with an umbrella in it. And no. I won't stuff an umbrella into a bottle of beer. Apparently they do not make drinks with umbrellas in Minnesota. Believe me, I tried.
    
40. Learn something new. I learned training for a triathlon, half marathon and duathlon at the same time is freaking HARD. I learned that I LOVE LOVE LOVE road biking.
    

The original list.

I should write

I've been thinking I am overdue for a post here on this old interdubdubdub but for the life of me I can't think of anything interesting to write about.

Technology has finally caught up with my A.D.D. and created something called Twitter where I don't have to read or write more than a 140 characters at a time. I know some people think I'm a chatterbox (yes, you) but really I prefer things in bullet points.

Short.
Sweet.
To the point.

But since I am charged with this little slice of the internet I'll give writing more than 140 characters a whirl. Here goes...

I have another half marathon coming up soon and I am VERY excited that I will get to run it with my long-time friend, Jenorama. I think everyone that is interested in running a half marathon should definitely do it. What an awesome accomplishment it is! If any of you want to run a half marathon just let me know and maybe I'll run it with you!

It recently came to my attention that I owe God an apology. When I was like 18 years old I SWORE TO GOD I would never set foot in the state of Iowa again. So sorry, God. I lied. I was there a couple years ago and I have another trip on the radar. And as much as I hate to admit it the town I'll be visiting has a rather kick-ass mall if memory serves. So not only am I GOING to Iowa again...I'm looking forward to it. Sorry, God. Never say never. Lesson learned.

Amen.

My 40 before 40 list is stuck at halfway done. I have momentarily lost my mojo to work on it although I am on track to run 40 miles in the month of June. That will knock one more thing off the list. I've got no good excuse for not doing some of them - like go through a photo album from my childhood with my kids. Others I need help with. Like organizing the attic. I'm close to done on that but now I have a shit-ton of stuff that I want to get OUT of the attic but I can't get it out all by myself. So I'm going to have to recruit some help for that one.

More than anything I need to get busy with planning my party if I'm actually going to have a damn party. It's getting closer (August) and I have done NOTHING to plan for it other than think about what I want my party to be like. I need to get moving on that one.

I have a new crush and like some of my previous crushes, this one is probably a bad idea for reasons I won't list here. But damn. He's a cutie and every time I see him I have to watch myself because I have this overwhelming urge to call him "doll" and get touchy feely with him. Not in a groping him or undressing him way. More like every time I see him I think "Oh hell yes, I'm a hugger!" And I'm really probably not.

But seriously...what a doll.

Well that's about all I have time to spit out tonight. It has only taken me about 45 minutes to write this and I really need to get to bed.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Grocery shopping, housekeeping, burning toast...

There's at least 50 other things I could be doing but I'm screwing around on Twitter instead.

Feel free to stop by to say hello.

Someday

You just can't go wrong with Rob Thomas.

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Better than I imagined.

I knew this weekend was going to be great but it has been even better than I expected. Here's a quick recap of the events:

The weekend started at a small house party at a friends house. I met some new people and got to reconnect with a friend that I haven't seen or talked to much in the last month or so. The night was more fun than I expected it to be!

I had a lazy Saturday morning to myself. The quiet was interrupted when a mouse made an appearance as detailed in my previous post. The good news is the mouse is gone. This little event was not a part of my plans for the weekend.

Saturday afternoon The Boy and I met up with some of my friends for an early dinner at the Mall of America. Jen and Dash were in town for a Twins game so after dinner some of us made our way to the stadium to catch the game with them. The Twins lost but it was still a great time. I'm very sure you cannot be in the company of The Boy, Jen, Dereck, Keri and HBB and NOT have a good time.

As an added bonus I ended up seeing my brother at the Twin's game. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Today is going to be a day of chores. There is a lot of laundry to get done around here and my living room is still torn apart from yesterdays mouse hunting adventure. I'm hoping to get in a long run later today so I better get busy with the chores.

How has your weekend been?

Just like a Dr. Suess story - there was a mouse in my house.

Saturday was a lazy start to the day but my heart was jump started when I hung up the phone, turned my head and saw a mouse about 2 feet away from me.

As luck would have it the mouse was just one foot away from a sleeping Monkey the cat. I grabbed the cat, tossed him in the general direction of the mouse and I quickly ran to the top of the recliner.

Recliners are not stable, kids. I do not suggest standing atop a recliner.

Monkey the cat was a little unclear on why I might be waking him from a perfectly good cat nap. He yawned, stretched, rolled his eyes at me and promptly left the room. Monkey the cat doesn't take direction well so when I shouted "HEY! Find the mouse!" it fell on deaf ears.

I crawled down from the top of the recliner grumbling at Monkey the cat the entire time. I grabbed a long handled broom from the kitchen, bent way down to see if I could see the mouse under anything and of course I was greeted with two tiny beady eyes looking back at me from under the couch.

I started pulling things out from around the couch in an attempt to stir the mouse out from underneath. Just when I thought I had lost contact with the mouse he scooted out from behind the couch and ran directly alongside a wall into the seemingly waiting paws of Monkey the cat who had decided to rejoin the party.

The cat and mouse played cat and mouse around the bottom of the curtains. After watching this fruitless game for a few minutes I decided to lean across the desk to lift the curtains up from the floor to help Monkey out. Turns out mice can CLIMB FRIGGEN CURTAINS and exactly 2 inches from where I grabbed the curtain the mouse jumped out landing on the desk directly next to me.

I slammed down the laptop lid while simultaneously dropping the curtain and crawling under the desk.

Multitasking is my specialty.

I grabbed the cat from under the desk and tossed him up on top so he was effectively nose to nose with the mouse.

Monkey looked at the mouse, turned around to face me, SAT ON HIS ASS and shook his tail.

The nerve of Monkey the cat is astounding sometimes. The mouse could have attacked him from behind. That twitching kitty tail wasn't even INCHES from the mouses nose. Did Monkey care? Not in the least.

Ballsy, Monkey. Very ballsy.

The mouse eventually jumped behind the desk and where he landed nobody knows. There was a pile of curtains on the window ledge so I imagined he was tangled up in there someplace. Monkey cooly climbed off the desk, walked to the back door and meowed to go outside.

I don't think so, Monkey.

I looked around a bit, long handled broom in hand, but had no luck in locating the mouse again. After several minutes of searching I decided that I had to take a shower and get ready for a late lunch with friends. Monkey and the mouse would have to sort this out without me.

After my shower I decided to come downstairs to see if there had been any progress. As I hit the first step and looked down, I saw that at the bottom of the stairs Monkey was very busy playing with a four-legged, beady-eyed toy.

PLAY-ING.

Outlaw the dog was faithfully at my side and Moose? No clue where Moose was in all this. I watched the cat for a few minutes, encouraged him to take a bite once or twice and eventually I sat on the top step and waited for some progress. Not a lot was going on so I decided to scoot down a few more stairs and that is when the mouse darted out from under Monkey the cat towards the other room. Monkey didn't even flinch.

"GET IT!" I shouted.

Monkey laid down.

I came down a few more stairs and saw that the mouse was wide-eyed and stuck directly between Monkey and Moose. I was pretty sure that if Moose decided to give chase I was going to have to have sheet rock repaired. The idea of a 80 pound dog chasing a mouse gave me visions of Tom & Jerry-like destruction.

The mouse decided that running directly UNDER the cat was his best plan and I think after watching Monkey I would have to agree. Monkey stood up, looked under his belly at the mouse, took a couple steps backwards and sat down again. Moose walked over to them both and with one paw "TWAP" right on top of the mouse's head.

It was immediately clear that while the mouse was still very much alive, he wasn't moving anywhere on his own anymore.

I ran down the rest of the stairs into the kitchen and grabbed the dustpan and a broom. By the time I returned Monkey was very interested in playing with the mouse again. I shooed him away swept up the mouse in the dustpan keeping my arm extended as far forward as possible. I eased open the front door and put one foot over the threshold when the mouse JUMPED AT MY FACE.

I jumped back, screamed loudly threw everything and screamed again for good measure. I should mention that I was doing all of this IN A TOWEL because I was fresh from the shower remember.

I re-adjusted the towel, took a deep breath, gave Monkey the cat a couple of dirty looks, grabbed my tools and scooped up the mouse again.

Mouse in dustpan, one arm extended, one hand on the towel I managed to open the front door for a second time WITH MY FOOT. I got to the garbage can and tried to figure out how I was going to lift the lid on the can, keep my towel up and not bring my extended mouse holding arm any closer to my person than necessary.

Turns out I have AMAZING elbow strength.

The mouse went into the garbage can and I went back into the house, tossed the cat outside and took another shower.

While all of this was going on I was able to live-Tweet a bit of the action. I also caught up with my friend BusyMom and decided she wins the Critter War Stories because everyone knows that snake trumps mouse all day long.

LOVE this.

Keith Urban

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On love and running.

I often find myself fumbling for words whenever I want to write about running. For starters it is hard to describe what running does for me. Second, I get sick of feeling like I am about to write a great American love story every time I write about running.

When I write about running I often find myself wondering why no human on this earth has ever fulfilled me the way running does. It is bittersweet really, to know that outside of the usual suspects (kids, parents, siblings, close friends) I have never had a person in my life that makes me feel the way running does.

When I don't run, I miss it like crazy.

When I'm done with a run I feel energized, stress-free and optimistic about the day ahead of me.

When I'm out on a run I feel as though I am being challenged to be a better person.

Why is it so hard to find people that make me feel the same way?

Sometimes writing about running is a slap in the face reminder that there has never been an actual person that I have loved like this.

A donation of motivation.

One of the hard things about the 40 before 40 list is it is not a complete list of everything I want to do between now and my birthday. And whether I want to or not there are other things that HAVE to get done.

Things like scrubbing carpets, exercising the dogs, exercising me, destroying dinner, helping The Boy with HIS projects and doing laundry. All of that sexy-fun stuff somehow missed getting line items when I drafted the 40 before 40 list.

I'll have to keep this in mind when I make my next birthday milestone list.

This week is going to be a busy one. Kids are wrapping up school and they have some extra curricular things taking place in the evenings. It is weeks like this where life is so hectic and crazy I think I will never get anything else done on my 40 before 40 list.

I'm also finding myself struggling to get in my regular runs. In part because my evenings are absorbed by other activities and in part because getting up at 5am for a run no longer appeals to me. I think not having running buddies that I meet up with EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND is also killing my motivation. I need to find it again. Or maybe I need to find workout buddies again.

My next half marathon is in just a few weeks and I haven't run more than six miles since the last half marathon in May.

Pathetic.

So if you are out there with some free time that you don't need send it my way. I'm also accepting donations of motivation by the truckload. If you have some to spare, send it over. I'm running low these days and I need to get back on track.

Getting things done.

I'm officially half done with my list. I just realized that the one about reading books on my nightstand is technically done although I still have a few more books I want to get through.

Here is a list of recent updates and a few comments on some of the things that are still left undone:

1. Visit New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, Wisconsin. The Boy and I are doing this in July. He might not KNOW IT YET. But we are. Also? We might be taking the children because I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO DO THIS ONE!
   
2. Climb a rock wall. This needs to be scheduled. It's been rescheduled twice already. Time to get it done.
   
3. Run 40 miles in one calendar month. I am hoping June is my month for this.
   
4. Unclutter my attic before it caves in on my vehicle that rests below it. 50% done as of this weekend. Need someone stronger than a 13 year old to help me get a couple things out of there.
   
5. Try rollerblading again. Maybe try it more than once. The Boy has rollerblades AND they fit me. This is going to happen the next time I go to his house.
   
6. Read some of the books sitting on my nightstand. Read: I Will Teach You To Be Rich, Crazy Stuff - Minnesota.
   
7. Bet on a horse. Lost, lost, lost, won, lost, won, lost, lost.
   
8. Take an overnight trip. By bicycle. I know exactly where I want to go. Just need to schedule it.
   

The Boy, the girl and the weekend.

So far this has been a really great weekend. It started with a Twin's game on Friday night at the new stadium. Oh! My! God! I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvve the stadium! I can't wait to take the kids there - they will LOVE IT!

I posted a few pictures of the new stadium over here on Flickr. While my overall feeling about the stadium is I LOVE IT, I do not love the Budweiser deck. Which is what I had tickets for and to be honest, it sucked. We had better views of the game wandering around the various levels of the stadium. If you are thinking about buying Budweiser Deck tickets let me know and I'll share with you the pros and cons of that experience.

The rest of the weekend was spent mostly with The Boy. We did a few things on my 40 before 40 list - watch a classic movie, bet on a horse and I also got a photo of the inside of a men's restroom taken care of over at Canterbury Park. We haven't seen eachother since we went to the murder mystery dinner theater awhile back so it was fun having so much time to catch up with one another.

He got to meet my brother for the first time ever and in the moment that they shook hands and introduced themselves to one another it INSTANTLY felt really wrong to me that much of my family and so many of my other friends have never met The Boy.

In the past I have had my reasons for wanting to keep my worlds separate but I don't know that I want to do that anymore. It was strange to me that my brother and The Boy both knew of one another but in TWENTY YEARS they have never met. I adore my brother and I adore The Boy. I bet they would (will) get along wonderfully. Why shouldn't they know each other?

So they met this weekend and I suspect they will meet again.

On Saturday night while splitting a plate of nachos I told The Boy that I want this to be our summer. When I first found myself on the single scene (about 7 years ago) he and I had a summer of projects and fun together. I told him I want to have that summer again with him. We got SO MUCH done at both of our houses and we had SO MUCH FUN doing it. Right now neither one of us is dating other people so the timing for this is perfect.

I didn't ask him to sign a contract or pinky swear on the idea of sharing our summer but I'm pretty sure he's in on this game plan. I'm excited. I always have fun when we are together and I feel like I have missed out on a lot of time with him in recent years. I also find myself much more motivated to do projects, even the putsy ones, when there is someone fun (him) to do them with.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend like I am! Bring on summer! I'm ready!!

Almost halfway.

Three months to go and I am almost half done with my list!

Here's my updated list:

1. Visit Schells Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota. March 20 with Brian!!
   
2. Visit New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
3. Climb a rock wall.
   
4. Take a picture inside a men's restroom to prove that I was inside a mens restroom. Thank you, Canterbury.
   
5. Run 40 miles in one calendar month.
   
6. Get my motorcycle endorsement.
7. Do sit-ups every day for 40 days because it is easier, cheaper and less painful than a tummy tuck. Although probably not as effective. Did 3905 sit-ups in 37 days. On day 38 I came down with the plague and was sick for a week. I'm OK with 37 of 40 days as an accomplishment but the results were shit. Damn you, abs of goo!!
   
8. Celebrate one year anniversary with AC. This was impossible to accomplish since we split up after dating for about 7 months. I still celebrate my friendship with him though. That has been going strong for about 8 years.
   
9. Unclutter my attic before it caves in on my vehicle that rests below it. This is a project that is in the works.
   
10. Check my mail or take out the trash after dark, without a big dog or mace and without being scared out of my mind while doing it. Did it during Spring Break when the kids were gone with my sister for the week. Don't think I'll do it again.
    
11. Do a photo inventory of the house and belongings. Post to Flickr for safekeeping.
12. Watch a classic movie. You know, something that doesn't have Sandra Bullock in it. ARTHUR! Watched it with The Boy in May and YES! It counts as a classic! The box even said so!
    
13. Get all my CD's on my computer. Completed: December 30, 2009
    
14. Plan myself a super duper crazy awesome 40th birthday party.
15. Go to a store with Personal Shoppers and have them select an outfit that strays from what I would typically wear. Buy said outfit.
16. Take an improv class.
17. Try rollerblading again. Maybe try it more than once.
    
18. Read some of the books sitting on my nightstand.
19. Run around the lake by my house (approximately 13 miles).
    
20. Write something that I am really really proud of.
21. Bet on a horse. Lost, lost, lost, won, lost, won, lost, lost.
    
22. Kiss in the rain. AC willing. Since the relationship ended during a snowy season not a rainy one this was really not going to happen. It's OK though. I still have plenty of other very fond memories with him.
    
23. Take a roadtrip with absolutely no prior planning whatsoever. Pack the car and go. Somewhere. Anywhere...
    
24. Take an overnight trip. By bicycle.
25. Do something completely spontaneous and fun with the kids. Brownie points if it is something we have never done before. Walked across frozen lake - dogs and kids. Jan 3, 2010. Bid on (AND WON!) a two-night stay (FOR SIX!) in a townhouse on Lake Superior.
    
26. Take a fitness class. Kettlebells, perhaps? Took a Kettlebell class with Denise!! Also took several Spin Classes WHICH I LOVED!
    
27. Shoot a gun. April 3 with my former roommate Paul. AKA Satan, the roommate from Hell.
    
28. Get rid of shoes, clothes, accessories and purses that I don't actually use/wear anymore. Goddamn this was hard.
    
29. Leave the country. Even if it is only to cross the border into Canada.
30. Go to a play at a local theater. Saw Panache at Theater in the Round in Minneapolis on January 24th with The Boy and other friends. Photo!
    
31. Meet someone in person that I originally met online. Done! Met a really cool guy in person in the spring that I had originally met online.
    
32. Attend a murder mystery dinner. FUN! FUN! FUN! Did this with Brian in April. Will do this again. It was a BLAST!
    
33. Touch a snake. If I'm feeling really brave I'll actually hold it.
    
34. Follow one piece of financial advice that I have never followed before. Checked my credit score and reviewed my credit report for accuracy!! Jan 2010
    
35. Watch a bat show in my backyard without my tennis racket.
36. Create a list of 40 things that rock my world.
    
37. Meditate more. Hell, at this point meditating at all equals MORE. It has been tooooo long!
    
38. Go through photos from my childhood with my kids. Share with them some of the stories of my youth.
39. Drink something with an umbrella in it. And no. I won't stuff an umbrella into a bottle of beer.
40. Learn something new. I learned training for a triathlon, half marathon and duathlon at the same time is freaking HARD.

Catch me if you can

This weekend I ran my second half marathon with a longtime friend from my childhood. He and I trained a lot during the winter months running around local lakes and when I had to get to rehab for my knee he kept training without me.

It all paid off at about 9:30 this morning when he finished the race in 2:11:32 which is an AMAZING time for a new runner and first time half marathoner!

I managed to shave 6 minutes off my time last year and crossed the finish line in 2:28:51 which I am BEYOND happy about!!

After all of the issues I have had with my knee and the impact that had on my training I would have been happy crossing the finish line in a straight 3 hours. To run 13.1 miles TOTALLY PAIN FREE and finish ahead of last years time has motivated me to doing this race again next year. I feel like my running motivation got a huge jumpstart today.

I hope everyone else is having a motivating weekend too!

40 before 40 - Progress Report

Here's my updated list:

1. Visit Schells Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota. March 20 with Brian!!
   
2. Visit New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
3. Climb a rock wall.
   
4. Take a picture inside a men's restroom to prove that I was inside a mens restroom.
   
5. Run 40 miles in one calendar month.
   
6. Get my motorcycle endorsement.
7. Do sit-ups every day for 40 days because it is easier, cheaper and less painful than a tummy tuck. Although probably not as effective. Did 3905 sit-ups in 37 days. On day 38 I came down with the plague and was sick for a week. I'm OK with 37 of 40 days as an accomplishment but the results were shit. Damn you, abs of goo!!
   
8. Celebrate one year anniversary with AC. This was impossible to accomplish since we split up after dating for about 7 months. I still celebrate my friendship with him though. That has been going strong for about 8 years.
   
9. Unclutter my attic before it caves in on my vehicle that rests below it. This is a project that is in the works.
   
10. Check my mail or take out the trash after dark, without a big dog or mace and without being scared out of my mind while doing it. Did it during Spring Break when the kids were gone with my sister for the week. Don't think I'll do it again.
    
11. Do a photo inventory of the house and belongings. Post to Flickr for safekeeping.
12. Watch a classic movie. You know, something that doesn't have Sandra Bullock in it. Have the movie. Still haven't watched it.
    
13. Get all my CD's on my computer. Completed: December 30, 2009
    
14. Plan myself a super duper crazy awesome 40th birthday party.
15. Go to a store with Personal Shoppers and have them select an outfit that strays from what I would typically wear. Buy said outfit.
16. Take an improv class.
17. Try rollerblading again. Maybe try it more than once.
    
18. Read some of the books sitting on my nightstand.
19. Run around the lake by my house (approximately 13 miles).
    
20. Write something that I am really really proud of.
21. Bet on a horse. - Planned for May!!!
    
22. Kiss in the rain. AC willing. Since the relationship ended during a snowy season not a rainy one this was really not going to happen. It's OK though. I still have plenty of other very fond memories with him.
    
23. Take a roadtrip with absolutely no prior planning whatsoever. Pack the car and go. Somewhere. Anywhere...
    
24. Take an overnight trip. By bicycle.
25. Do something completely spontaneous and fun with the kids. Brownie points if it is something we have never done before. Walked across frozen lake - dogs and kids. Jan 3, 2010. Bid on (AND WON!) a two-night stay (FOR SIX!) in a townhouse on Lake Superior.
    
26. Take a fitness class. Kettlebells, perhaps? Took a Kettlebell class with Denise!! Also took several Spin Classes WHICH I LOVED!
    
27. Shoot a gun. April 3 with my former roommate Paul. AKA Satan, the roommate from Hell.
    
28. Get rid of shoes, clothes, accessories and purses that I don't actually use/wear anymore. Goddamn this was hard.
    
29. Leave the country. Even if it is only to cross the border into Canada.
30. Go to a play at a local theater. Saw Panache at Theater in the Round in Minneapolis on January 24th with The Boy and other friends. Photo!
    
31. Meet someone in person that I originally met online. Done! Met a really cool guy in person in the spring that I had originally met online.
    
32. Attend a murder mystery dinner. FUN! FUN! FUN! Did this with Brian in April. Will do this again. It was a BLAST!
    
33. Touch a snake. If I'm feeling really brave I'll actually hold it.
    
34. Follow one piece of financial advice that I have never followed before. Checked my credit score and reviewed my credit report for accuracy!! Jan 2010
    
35. Watch a bat show in my backyard without my tennis racket.
36. Create a list of 40 things that rock my world.
    
37. Meditate more. Hell, at this point meditating at all equals MORE. It has been tooooo long!
    
38. Go through photos from my childhood with my kids. Share with them some of the stories of my youth.
39. Drink something with an umbrella in it. And no. I won't stuff an umbrella into a bottle of beer.
40. Learn something new. I learned training for a triathlon, half marathon and duathlon at the same time is freaking HARD.
    

The last person to touch my ass region that much had the decency to buy me dinner and drinks.

I'm sure I've rambled on here or on Twitter or at the office about my recent knee pain but in case you missed it: my knee has been hurting like a mofo when I run lately.

So I did what any responsible runner would do and went to see a sports medicine doctor about it last week on Friday. He prescribed a visit to a Physical Therapist.

My first meeting was this morning and the appointment went well despite the fact that some frail elder woman that reminded me very much of Florence Henderson KICKED MY ASS FOR AN HOUR STRAIGHT.

No lie.

The Physical Therapist, we'll call her Flo, was as big around as one of my thighs and barely taller than my shoulders. My 10 year old is bigger than she is.

I have to say she is the NICEST lady but she is deceptively petite. I quickly discovered there is a body builder under that tiny little frame and dusty blue cardigan.

She did an assessment starting at my hips/pelvic area and worked her way down towards my knee. After she had determined that my left pelvic bone was tilted forward she started on the beatings.

I mean EXERCISES.

By the time I got to the office I had already noticed a change in how I felt. First of all I felt like I had a good stretch and workout in my legs. I didn't even do anything hardcore. Didn't even break a sweat. It seems that the focus on doing a few new stretching exercises and doing them correctly must have done some magic.

There might have even been a hint of voodoo magic in those exercises. Right around lunch time I realized that the tiny twinge of constant pain I have felt in my knee for just over a week had disappeared. Which is great but this improvement will make NOT RUNNING very hard.

I'm hopeful that following the exercises/stretches prescribed by Flo and twice weekly beatings will resolve the issue with my knee and allow me to run a half marathon next month.

Please cross your fingers that I'll be able to cross the finish line next month.

An addendum to my previous post.

So for those of you not sure what that previous post was all about let me explain.

My daughters school announced this week (to the students) that they will most likely be implementing a school dress code. Not a uniform. A dress code. Frankly, I do not understand the difference.

This is all unofficial at this point since nothing has been communicated formally to parents. That said, I have completed not one but two surveys on the subject and sent a rather clear email to the school administration letting them know that implementing a uniform policy would cause me to SERIOUSLY RECONSIDER sending my children to their school.

I will review their dress code policy once it is communicated officially but at this point my opinion (based on what my daughter has explained to me) is that it is time to start exploring other educational opportunities for my kids.

Yes. I am THAT against school uniforms.

So if you live in the Twin Cities (north east metro) and have any school recommendations for 7th through 12th grade let me know.

I'm exploring options starting now.

*ahem*

Thanks to CursingMama for the image edit.

Don't wait.

This is not mine.

It is something my friend Diane created.

And it is, unfortunately, very true.

Don't wait.

Doctors orders.

Last Tuesday I went for a run and had the most horrible running experience of my life. My knee was in such pain I actually considered phoning someone to pick me up. Which is sad because in total I only went 2.5 miles.

I've had moderate knee pain before but this was unlike any pain I have ever experienced in my life. Sharp, stabby pain in my knee that shot up into my hip and down to my toes. It was horrendous.

That night ice made it feel 1,000 times worse so I tried some heat, elevation and Advil. It usually takes me 2 seconds to fall asleep at night but Tuesday night I spent hours trying to ease the pain so I could sleep.

By morning it was feeling a lot better but still not 100%. I had decided the night before that no matter what I was making a doctors appointment to have my knee looked at. Whatever happened Tuesday night was not right.

I had my appointment late Friday afternoon and the doctor thinks there is a case of runner's knee taking place. That means my running is seriously dialed back (about 5 miles a week total). I was afraid he would tell me that running my half marathon in May was completely and totally out of the question but to my surprise he told me he thinks I'll still be able to run it.

Starting this next Friday is physical therapy though. While I can't run the miles I was running he wants me to get rehab my knee and at the same time work with a Physical Therapist on cross-training to build other essential muscles like my core, glutes, quads, and so on.

Last year when I trained for my first half marathon I was a training fool and after the race I decided that while I was happy with how I felt and how I did in the race, I probably trained harder than I needed to. So this year I made a decision to dial back the training plan but it would appear I have dialed back some of the cross-training way too much. So now here I am with a bum knee and a race in 4 weeks and all the hope in the world that I can pull this off.

The doctor told me that instead of running the miles I could do other activities like swim, bike, elliptical or strength train. With that information I decided today would be a good day for a 26 mile bike ride and other than 20 mile per hour winds, it was a nice day for a ride.

And it was also a nice day for a fall.

Yup. I totally biffed it off my bike today. Something I haven't done since I was a kid. I scraped the hell out of my elbow and knee, bruised the palm of my hand and have some unexplainable bruise and scratch along my thigh. Luckily the knee I fell on was my good knee so no risk of further damage there.

I'm fairly certain falling off my bike was NOT what the doctor had in mind. It sure wasn't something *I* had in mind for the day but WHOOMP! There it is.

A bike fall.

Probably the first for me in 30 years. Probably not the last.

How was your weekend?