I just can’t turn down a challenge June 14, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Arts and Crafts, Fanfiction, Personal Finance, Running, The Guys, Trixie, Trixie Friends.2 comments
This one’s a doozy, too. I just signed up to write at least 500 words a day for 30 days. They have to be fanfiction, which means any writing toward my book doesn’t count (nor does writing for work).
So now I have to find two hours each morning to run (slog), about 30 minutes each day to write fanfiction, at least that much time to write my book, plus find time to clean my apartment. Can somebody invent a 30-hour day?
In other news, I took a break from running over the weekend, which ends tomorrow. I had blisters on the bottoms of both feet from my old orthotics and while they weren’t painful and they weren’t getting worse, they also weren’t getting any better. Since I walk around in bare feet a lot, there was a decent chance I could step on something and pop one. With Mal coming in for the weekend and the associated walking in DC, I figured it was a good time to take a break. The good news is they seem to have finally healed, so I can start running again.
I started designing Christmas cards last night, and I’m going to figure out what I need for each and assemble a mock-up during the weekend. I know I need ribbon, but I’m not sure what else I need that I don’t already have.
For those who don’t read my other blog, my quest to kill my credit card debt by the end of the year is on track. That means come Jan. 1, I can start saving for a house and a new(er) car. The house is top priority, but I’m still going to be putting a decent amount away for the car in case mine starts falling apart. Fortunately, I’m putting so much to debt now that once it can go into savings, the money will start piling up pretty quickly.
As I mentioned before, Mal came to DC over the weekend and I got to meet her, plus see the Jix Chix. Aleta and Mary are the only ones I’d seen lately. We had a blast! My sister’s stuffed animals are now jealous because we got our picture taken with the Swedish Chef at the American History museum in their muppet exhibit.
She lives! May 23, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Running, Trixie Friends, Work madness.1 comment so far
No, I haven’t died. I’ve just been busy.
Quick hit update:
* My trip to Richmond ended a day early after Aleta got a bug. Not wanting to get germs, I headed home. She was very understanding.
* I did, however, see the Maggie L. Walker house. She was not only the first female bank president, but the first black female bank president. It was a cool tour, and well worth the time. I only went because it was in the area where I parked and was free, but I’m glad I did.
* I ended up taking about a week off from running for various reasons, but actually didn’t lose any ground in terms of distance. I ran 2.5 miles Monday – my first day back – and could easily have done three. After the first mile, I got into a groove.
* Unfortunately, it was also the first really warm day since I’ve been running, so I didn’t think to put sunscreen on even though I wasn’t wearing the hoodie over my tank top. My shoulders are very red right now. *sigh* I’ll remember from now on; it was a painful lesson.
* I came up with the best cover design at work for our annual graduation section, but my boss didn’t decide to use it until it was too late to actually do it. So we’re saving the idea for next year. On the plus side, this means I get at least part of the award for the design contest he was running to come up with a cover.
* Our food section for tomorrow has a recipe for homemade microwave popcorn, which I’m going to have to try. 
* I’m getting new running sneakers on Saturday! There’s nothing better than hitting the road in new sneakers – they always feel so comfortable compared to the old ones.
* Unfortunately, my holiday weekend will be spent at the office, including my birthday. But I do have some plans in mind so it won’t be all bad – and working Monday means I can take a four-day weekend next month without using vacation time.
I’m back! May 3, 2006
Posted by irishmadness in Healthy Living, Trixie Friends, Work madness.1 comment so far
Yesterday was really the only day I had an excuse for not posting. It was local Election Day, with all the craziness that entails.
Other news:
* WG is up to his ears in both farm stuff and work craziness, so we’re on hiatus, more or less. Since he’s averaging less than six hours a night of sleep between putting in full days at both jobs, I can’t really complain.
* It’s also making it easier for me to get to bed earlier, which I’m hoping will translate into more running. Alas, today was back at Day 1, since I didn’t run or walk Sunday or Tuesday. Monday I did a little mall walking after my root canal, but that was about it. On the plus side, I did squeeze in 3/4 mile today, and will remember to have a slice of toast with PB tomorrow morning so I have the energy to do the full 1.5 miles.
* I did a few hours of cooking Monday night and have a freezer full of meals for a month. Average cost: 50 cents per meal. Tough to beat that. And since they’re ready to go, I can’t really complain that I don’t have time to cook.
* I managed to set aside $20 for running sneakers over the last few weeks, and I’m hoping to save up enough before I have to replace mine that I don’t have to dip into savings.
* That’s especially good because my savings is basically going toward my dentists for the next few months, between two root canals and the necessary crowns. *sigh* At least I have good dental insurance.
* MTM apparently is continuing to make trouble for SE over this project I’m working on with them, but he’s pushed SE a little too far. I’m forseeing a showdown between those two in the next few months.
* I finally get to see at least one Trixie friend this weekend, when I celebrate Aleta’s new (to her) gas grill with a backyard cookout. It’s been forever since I’ve seen Trixie friends. *sigh*
