blogging

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Holiday Cards

I am techie but old-fashioned about cards. I like to send them. I like to get them.

xmas2012

our 2012 holiday card

I signed up for two Blogger Card Swaps/Exchanges.

2012 Christmas Card Swap Logo2_thumb[1]2012 card exchange snowman

If you are in my group, you’ll get this:

runningxmas2012

my running holiday card

Happy Running!  Do you still send paper cards?

runner-sig

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Thankful November

I wasn’t organized enough to do this daily but I really was thankful each day of this month:

  1. Thankful that my friend encouraged me to learn to knit.  It keeps me focused and takes my mind off of my injuries.
  2. Thankful for having learned to play Mah Jongg.  I have met new people and it is a lot of fun and keeps my “old” mind active.
  3. Thankful for our boat and the people who live in Lake George that we have befriended because of it.
  4. Thankful for my tennis friends and although we don’t play tennis often together, we do other things to stay connected.
  5. Thankful for my job.  Besides the salary, I enjoy helping people and feeling appreciated.
  6. Thankful for my right to vote.
  7. Thankful that President Obama was re-elected.
  8. Thankful for a new Grey’s Anatomy episode and no more political commercials to watch.
  9. Thankful for USAir frequent flyer miles and being able to fly to Florida for free on December 8, Jan 19 & Mar 12.
  10. Thankful for the bloggers that keep me entertained and motivated to run.
  11. Thankful for beautiful weather and scenic places in my area to bike.
  12. Thankful for my cleaning lady and that once a month, I have clean floors & bathrooms.
  13. Thankful for only needing a painless cleaning from my dentist.
  14. Thankful for working across the street from Starbucks and being able to run across for an afternoon pick me up.
  15. Thankful for free flu shots at work.
  16. Thankful for my Nov. Foodie Penpal and the delicious goodies that I received from her.
  17. Thankful for my BFF Judy who has been my source of calm and advice for over 35 years.
  18. Thankful for being able to run ONE mile (pain-free.)
  19. Thankful for those who have been graciously subbing for me each week in my Monday tennis contract.
  20. Thankful for the exercise bike & wifi at work so I can exercise & keep up the latest episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice & Nashville on my iPad.
  21. Thankful for my hairdresser and hair dye – both which keep me looking young(er).
  22. Thankful for the excuse to eat stuffing and pumpkin pie with a view & the company of my hubby.
  23. Thankful for a Friday off from work. Time to catch up on laundry, shopping & decorating for the holdiays (EARLY!)
  24. Thankful for UVA gel and now beautiful nails for the next month.
  25. Thankful for the junk food and left overs from hosting mah jongg (we never have junk food at my house.)
  26. Thankful for DVRs – now I can watch Sunday night’s Revenge & The Good Wife.
  27. Thankful for our anti-Thanksgiving lunch at work esp the Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.
  28. Thankful for hospitals, doctors, nurses and that soon, I will hopefully be playing tennis and racing again.
  29. Thankful for my hubby and that we can put up with each other’s ups and downs.
  30. Thankful for our annual work Christmas party…lots of food & drink and the opportunity to dress up.

knitting socks

playing mah jongg

me & my tennis friends at a restaurant

me & my Lake George friends

The Corning Bike Path (on the Hudson R.)

Dark Chocolate bar from my Foodie Pen Pal

BOGO for 3 days!

Thanksgiving with a view & my hubby

oreo cheesecake truffles

Happy Running!  Did you participate in Thankful November?  What were you most thankful for?

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November Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day

This is my second Foodie PenPal.

The Foodie Pen Pal program is organized by Lindsey over at The Lean Green Bean. In case you’ve never heard of this program, here’s what it’s all about:

  • On the 5th of every month, you will receive your pen pal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your pen pal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
  • You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail.
  • On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your pen pal!
  •  The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
  • You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
  • Foodie Pen pals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your pen pal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
  • Foodie Pen pals is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only.

It seemed like fun and maybe another way to meet new bloggers and to focus on healthy eating. I loved my apple cinnamon pancakes and syrup from last month so I decided to try it again.  I actually enjoyed the shopping as much as the eating.

I was assigned to Maechelle at This is the Stuff. Head over to her blog to check out what I sent her!

I received my package from Emma at DISH52.

front of her holiday card

tea for relaxing in the evening

trail mix for energy in the afternoon & I love cranberries

granola for breakfast or a snack and it’s my favorite flavor

jelly beans for my sweet tooth – in great flavors

dark chocolate – what can I say? Love it!

thoughtful note inside

A big thanks to Emma for the goodies. It was great to try foods that I wouldn’t have otherwise bought!  All were perfect!  We both shopped at Trader Joe’s, too!

For December, instead of matching people up to send FPP packages in December, Lindsay is going to use this group for good and raise some money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. There are two ways you can get involved:

1) She will be setting up a paypal account to accept donations. Please consider donating the $15-$25 you would have spent on purchasing items and mailing your FPP package in December. Donations will be accepted from December 3-7th and she will make one big donation to a recovery organization in the name of Foodie Penpals at the end of the week.

2) With the holidays approaching, if you’re in the mood to shop instead of just donate money, she will provide an address that you can mail gifts to and encourage you to spend $15 to purchase some gifts and send them out so they can be distributed to families.

If you’re interested in participating, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form!

The regular FFP for January will return on December 18 and the deadline to sign up will be January 4th.

Happy Running! Happy Eating!

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#22 out of 25

 

Hello Darlene

I work for MHA Programs.org, and wanted to bring your attention to a list we’ve published that recognizes the Top 25 Sites for Fitness and Health in 2012. I’m quite happy to inform you that your site has been included! You can view the list here:  http://www.mhaprograms.org/top-25-fitness-health.html

We pored through hundreds of worthy sites focused on health and fitness topics, covering everything from running and cycling to yoga and nutrition. We selected our final 25 based on factors including readership, focus on health and fitness topics, quality of information, search ranking, and site age.

Our site aims to be a resource for students and professionals in healthcare, so we feel it is essential to highlight those making health and fitness a part of their everyday lives. We hope our readers will share these great sites with their colleagues and friends. After all, the ultimate goal of every healthcare professional is helping people live happier and healthier.

I feel honored! (and a little embarrassed because there are so many great fitness blogs out there…)

Check out the other 24 sites.  I’m sure you’ll recognize a few and maybe find some new ones to follow.

Happy Running!

 

 

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#HOLIDAYADAY Photo Challenge!!!

I just stumbled upon this challenge in FB from roadrunnergirl.com. I LOVE taking pictures so I decided why not.

You just take a photo a day using the prompt (above) for each day as your inspiration. After you take your photo…you can post it for everyone to see! You can post it on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, your blog, or anywhere else you’d like! Just be sure to tag your photo with #holidayaday!

Happy Running! Are you going to participate in the #holidayaday photo challenge?

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My First Foodie Penpal Reveal Day

The reason for this post is to talk about food swapping not running.

I know, it’s strange.  Me talking about healthy food not running injuries!

The Foodie Pen Pal program is organized by Lindsey over at The Lean Green Bean.  In case you’ve never heard of this program,  here’s what it’s all about:

  • On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
  • You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail.
  • On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 
  • The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
  • You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
  • Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. 
  • Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only.

If you’re interested in participating for November, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.You must submit your information by November 4th as pairings will be emailed on November 5th!

It seemed like fun and maybe another way to meet new bloggers and to focus on healthy eating.

I was assigned to Sara at Run Around Sara. Head over to her blog to check out what I sent her!

I received my package from Jennifer at Cooking For Comfort who bought these goodies while on vacation in Maine.

cinnamon apple pancake mix and syrup

Apple pie is my favorite dessert so I knew that I would love these.

pancakes for dinner – YUM!

A big thanks to Jennifer for the goodies.  It was great to try  something that I wouldn’t have otherwise eaten!

I have already signed up for the Foodie Pen Pal project for November and I can’t wait to go shopping again for my new foodie pal!

Happy Running!  Happy Eating!

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Running Pop Quiz

I saw this on a blog last week and when you are not running so there is nothing to blog about and all you can think about is running, you do things like this!
 
So here are my answers! 🙂
 
1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
 
I have only used Gu and it works for me so I’ve been afraid to use another.  Vanilla is favorite, followed by Chocolate Outrage.  I just bought Espresso and am anxious to try it.
 

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
 
5K is my favorite because there are so many to choose from and they don’t involve a lot of training. I do like half marathons too because I don’t feel pressured to be fast and you get a medal!
 
Helper’s Fund 5K


3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?

 
I prefer skirts.  They are more comfortable.  I think I look thinner in them.  I do occasionally wear shorts.  When it is cold, I wear a skirt over my capris or tights.
 

Camp Chingachgook 10K in a skirt

 
4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
 
Water!  I don’t like sports drinks.
 
hydrating with water after a 5K


5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?

If I have to choose, it would be hot. I hate to wear layers.
 

90 degrees & racing

 
6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics or Other?
 
 
That’s difficult because I have tried them all.  I started with Saucony, then NIke, then Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, and now I have both Brooks & Mizuno.  I actually haven’t found my perfect shoe.
 

in Mizunos


7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
 
Always oatmeal and coffee.
 

pre-race meal

 
 
8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or other?  
 
Well, when I am healthy, I don’t run 3x per week but on one of  those days I may be playing tennis.
 

not running

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it? 
 
During a race, I always go without it.  The other runners are my distraction.  When I am alone, I usually have my iPod nano.
 

running with music

 
10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or other?
 
I would have to say, I run for stress-relief, endorphins but mostly that I love to race.
 

happy to be racing

 
 
Happy Running!  Have a great weekend.  I hope it involves running and if not, why not do this quiz.
 
 
 
 
 


 

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Liebster Blog Award

My fellow blogger, I Run For Wine has nominated me for a Liebster Blog Award! Thanks to Gayle for the recognition. This award is a way for bloggers with less than 200 followers who deserve some recognition and support to keep on blogging.

The rules are as follows:

So here goes:

  1. I am an avid Mets fan (even when they are losing which is most of the time). I listen to their games whenever I can
  2. I have been mentoring a young unwed mom for the past 4 1/2 years.  Her 5 year old son Richard is a joy!  I love Amanda like a daughter.  (She also now has a one year old.)
  3. I have NEVER eaten peanut butter. (That means I’ve never had a P & J sandwich. I don’t even eat Reese’s.)
  4. I love to play tennis although I don’t play it as much since I started running 4 1/2 yrs ago. I used to play everyday now it’s only a once or twice a week. I may even enjoy running more!? But some of my best friends are ones that I met through playing tennis.
  5. I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France and taught French for many many years (until I discovered the world of technology – now I’m a geek). I still love anything French and would move to Paris in a heart beat.
  6. I am addicted to Mah Jongg.  I have played it for almost 4 years on Friday evenings.  It’s a game my mother used to play & no one wants to be like their mother but it’s a lot of fun and it keeps your mind young (I hope).
  7. I have seen Les Miserables (the show) at least 12 times and would see it again if it came to town. I have also read the book & seen the movies but it’s the music that I love!
  8. I am a certified “cat lady.”  I have 5 cats: Jerry, Slater, Spooky, Billy, Honey. Honey is the only female. Jerry is my fav but my hubby adores Slater.
  9. I am obsessed with photos.  I take my camera almost everywhere I go.  I post them all online in Shutterfly and a selected number on Facebook.
  10. I love desserts.  I would skip dinner and just have dessert.  Once I even went to the Mariott’s (in NYC) all you can eat dessert buffet instead of having dinner. Apple pie and creme brulee are among my favorites.
  11. I hardly ever watch TV… I am never am home.  I detest reality shows, too.  I do DVR Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Good Wife  (but struggle to find the time to watch.) However, my hubby would do nothing else but watch TV if he could.

11 Questions I Need to Answer from I Run for Wine:

1. What is your dream job? Working with kids and teachers on using the computer to enhance learning (my last job)

2. Vacation at the beach or city? Definitely the beach

3. What is your favorite food? Ice cream

4. Red or white wine? Mostly white but red with Italian food

5. What is one thing you have accomplished on your bucket list? Running a Half Marathon

6. Morning person or night owl? Morning

7. If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be?  Paris

8. Favorite holiday and why? July 4th.  I love summertime and I love fireworks.

9.  Favorite TV show? The Good Wife

10. How do you relax? With a good book

11. Who are you closest to in life? My husband

11 Questions My Nominees Need to Answer:

  1. Running, Biking, Swimming or Other?
  2. Dog or Cats?
  3. Favorite Racing Distance?
  4. One Goal for 2012 that you have accomplished?
  5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?
  6. Favorite Race?
  7. Marathon: Done It, Someday or Never?
  8. Favorite Book?
  9. Favorite Movie?
  10. If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?
  11. Worst Fear?

Blogs I am Nominating for a Liebster Award:

  1. Breaking My Runners In
  2. My Journey To Fit
  3. Weez Runs
  4. I Survived and Now I Run
  5. Running races Coast to Coast
  6. Livin’ a Little Life
  7. Fit & Fabulous After 40
  8. Dutch Girl Gets Healthy
  9. Forget Me Not
  10. 50 is the New 30
  11. Any other blogger who wants to….

Happy Running! Happy Blogging!

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The Happy Post

This has been going around the blogosphere so I thought I’d give it a try.  Supposedly when thinking of all the things that make you happy, you feel happier.

  • Rainbows

  • Hanging out with my friends

the group minus 2 that had left

  • A good cup of coffee in the morning

  • Reading a good book

  • Winning a tennis match

  • PRing in a race

  • Boating time with my hubby

  • Helping others

giving Amanda a Baby Shower

  • Relaxing by the ocean or a lake

  • Finishing a project such as a quilt or knitted socks

  • A soft ice cream cone on a hot day

  • Homemade apple pie

  • Finding a bargain

  • Sunsets

  • Winning a hand at mah jongg

  • Sunshine

  • The colors of fall

And yes, I do feel “happier.”

Happy Running!  Try this.  Post on your blog or comment here: What makes you happy?

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AMR’s 10 Running Related Personal Questions

The ladies at Another Mother Runner came up with questions for everyone to answer.  Have you answered?  If not, why not do it now?

1. Best run ever: Probably the Mother’s Day 5k 2011.  It was on my birthday and I finished in 25:xx which is amazing for me.  Unfortunately the course was short.  But I felt almost fast for the only time ever.

2. Three words that describe my running: Empowering, energizing, rejuvenating (most of these describe how I feel after I’m done LOL)

3. My go-to running outfit is: Running skirt, sleeveless tech top, compression socks, baseball cap in the summer (Of course, it changes as the weather gets colder to tights under the skirt & a wind shirt on top.)

4. Quirky habit while running: I think I breathe heavy and make noise when breathing.  At least it seems to me that I do that when I am struggling.  I hope that most runners around me are wearing headphones.

5. Morning, midday, evening:  Morning. That’s when I have the most energy but often I have to postpone my runs until after work.

6. I won’t run outside when it’s: Raining.  I’m a wimp.  I don’t like getting wet.

7. Worst injury—and how I got over it: That’s an easy one.  It’s a broken ankle and I am still getting over it.   As with any injury: rest, patience, PT, patience, re-up mileage slowly, patience.

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: Recently I chic- ed a guy.  I was behind him almost the whole race and then I passed him near the finish line.

9. Next race is:  This Saturday… a 5k.  I race almost every Saturday.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: A Half Marathon.  I haven’t run one since November 2011. I really want to see if I can do it again.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer these questions on your blog or in a comment here.