Saturday, July 31, 2010

A runner lives here...

This is the happy sight that greets me every morning = ) My rotation of shoes!

For your consideration:
- the liners are all sticking up because I wear custom orthotics and those are slid underneath the liner
- it's interesting to note how much accumulated dirt diminishes the effectiveness of the reflective material on the shoes...the middle pair in the bottom row are brand new, never been worn...compare the bright spots with the other shoes...
- I ONLY wear running shoes ALL the time by order of my podiatrist. If I'm invited to a function where the inviter might be embarrassed by me, the invitee, wearing running shoes, I inform them and give them the chance to dis-invite me with no hard feelings at all.
- I try to never run in the same pair of shoes on consecutive days. Us runners have been informed that it takes 24-48 hours for the cushioning in our shoes to "spring back" so it's good to have alternate pairs available...NO PROBLEMO! hahahaha
- my shoes follow this progression from new to trash: long runs - easy/other runs - every day wear/walking dogs - yard work - really messy yard work - trash. Someone asked me if I pass on my shoes to someone less fortunate when I was done with them. I told them that even the less fortunate would not want my shoes when I finished with them!
- if I get a new pair of shoes that prove to be not good for running, I designate those shoes as my Sunday-go-to-meetin' shoes...I can wear them for walking and if I limit their wear, they stay cleaner for dressier occasions = )
- what you see in the pic above is the whole timeline of shoes from brand new/never worn to a couple more lawn mowings away from the trash
- a pair of shoes was demoted just this morning. I started my run and in the first 1/2 mile I realized that the cushioning was too worn out for running. By the 2.5 mile point I'd said to myself "I'm NEVER wearing these shoes to run in again!!" I'll run those shoes through the wash to try and clean them up a bit and then use them for everyday wear until they are demoted again.
- in the picture you'll also see a half-moon stretcher for arches, heels, achilles, and calves...also a wedge stretcher thingy and a balance thingy (the blue thing to the far right)
- if you've read this whole list, please leave a comment so I can applaud you publicly = )))
- p.s. I actually have more shoes than this on a shelf...they never get run in anymore but I haven't decided where they "fit" in the rotation

See...I told you I have trouble not being able to leave out the details!!!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Loving Longaberger...

These are my Longaberger Pottery star plates that I hung on the wall with a pair of plaques I got at Wally-world. My Longaberger collection brings me happiness every single day!

I saw a new basket/purse/tote in the July flyer but it was out of reach for me... a higher level hostess choice only. But Beth, "the Longaberger Lady", had a new monthly club starting up and no hostess for July...perfect timing!

The order came in yesterday and Beth was having a sample sale/fall pre-view open house tonight so I picked up my order and enjoyed seeing some new things. The purse is WAY COOL BEANS!! The leather is very supple and I love the rose pink shade...rose leather and rose-dyed woven wood along with dark brown cloth weaving. I need to post a pic! hahahahaha

Anyhow, I truly enjoy my Longaberger stuff every day and am thankful for the opportunity to own and use it. Petey's mom, Mammie, gave me my very first basket 20 years ago...I'd never heard of them before that. So that basket is very special to me.

I've been thankful for many things today but this is the one I chose to share with ya'll...it's gonna be hard to limit myself to just one picture, one thankful thing a day!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Potty-training with Happy Heather!

My friend Amy asked if I would be willing to help potty-train her daughter Heather. Heather is a certified sweetheart...I love spending time with Amy's kids!! So, of course, I answered with an enthusiastic YES!

Amy has 3 other children at home including a nursing 5 month old so an extra pair of helping hands was warranted in this situation...even though Amy is perfectly capable of doing this on her own.

What a privilege to be part of this experience with her. To be proud of her when she is proud...to have the adrenaline rush that comes with "I have to go potty!!" and racing for the bathroom (or kitchen or wherever the potty chair happens to be at the moment...we keep it close).

Look at her smile...she loves her star stickers..."1 star for wee-wee and 2 stars for poops!" You should've seen her smile when she got to put on her big girl underwear that she picked out at Wally-world on Tuesday. Thanks, Amy, for giving me this special memory with your precious daughter!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Co-op day!

Co-op pick up day...time to update the notebook!

Been really hungry for watermelon so I was happy to see that in our fruit share!

Nice selection of fruits and veggies in the full share...cooking the bok choy right this minute = )

Miss Brenda went with me so she could join the co-op too and then had me in for some yummy cantaloupe and a cup of tea and conversation...nice....

Welcome!

A fresh start feels really nice = )