Here are some of the fun things I'd want in an Easter basket if I were to receive one, but since I already have of of them... I don't really need an Easter basket... Now do I????

I got chocolate nibs and some knee socks. What did the bunny bring you?

So.. Andy and I have gone off the deep end and signed ourselves up for a crossfit competition! Not because we think we are good, but because it's for beginners, and since we ARE beginners and this is the only time we ever will meet the beginner criteria, we decided to go for it. It's in two weeks in Winston Salem. I'm sure I'll have lots to talk about once that's done.

Today's WOD was probably one of the hardest yet, and I felt like I did really well. It was three rounds of
10 over head squats (used just the bar)
10 pull ups (ring)
30 jump rope

Run a mile

Three rounds
5 over head squats (bar)
10 hand release push ups
15 kb swings (I used 31kg this is the heaviest I've used)

I finished in 19:43. That may not be earth shattering for some.. But I say I did really well, because I didn't stop while doing anything except for one time on the ring pull ups to get my balance. Otherwise, I kept moving. Keep in mind, the mile IS outside and the second half IS uphill. It probably took me @10:30-11 mins.

Steve talked to us about being careful and policing ourselves. Not using TOO much weight and ending up injured. Evaluating our goals and what we are there for. I'm there to get in shape and lose weight. My goal isn't to do 100 pull ups.. Or squat 200 pounds.. So the modifications I'm using are appropriate.

Yesterday, I ran four miles with Jackie. I enjoyed it. She's a great partner. We run very well together and she's good company, too!

I bought a nice hoochie shirt that I can't wait to wear once it gets warm. It'll look great with some cute earrings I got. Just needs to get warm and I need somewhere to wear it!! I tried it on with the jean skirt I knew it would look cute with. It better hurry up. The jean skirt I could barely get on in January, is already almost falling off. I couldn't believe it. I thought for sure it would just fit. Needs to get warm NOW! I'm not staying where I am for this skirt!

Been eating well, not cheating the past two days, not that I had been before that...Had egg salad and a banana for breakfast. Has two sliders and some veggies for lunch. Tenderloin, cabbage, squash and onion Stirfry and a half of a sweet potato for dinner.

Oh yea. And we still have the foster dogs.....

Tonight's dinner is delightful! Shrimp, crab legs, lobster tail and asparagus. So exciting for us plain folk. Andy doesn't get as excited as I do..

Today was busy. Some changes in the dog walk world. I will be having an additional 5-6 walks per week for a total of 12-13 walks consistently per week, plus a few additional travel clients tacked on. Someone moved on, so.. More dogs for me. Nice lady though. Sad to see her go.

I went to crossfit this am. Deceiving workout. We did our usual style warm up. Then 7x2 split jerks. I used 95. Then 3 rounds of ten each clean, push press and pull ups (I used the rings). It took me 9:51 and I used 80 pounds. That got pretty darned heavy by the third round!!! Whew!!

Then I went to target and added to my collection of knee socks. I know knee socks and crossfit- cliche' but I don't really give a crap. I wear my knee socks all day long and I love them!! I believe I have about 15 pairs now!! And my compression socks;) Looking for a nice gift for me... Cool knee socks will do the trick!! Just make sure they have good stretch to fit my massively toned calve muscles!!

I also got a sweet deal at old navy yesterday using a snap five. A nice pretty blue running jacket, orig @ 30- $4.26!!!

Busy-ish day with the regular stuff going on. First went to crossfit.

WOD was 60 percent front squat- I did 105. 5x3.

Then 5 rounds of weight over head alternating lunges(20), 15 back raises, and 10 toes to bar(I did some leg and lift your butt off of the floor things Steve told me to do.) I finished in 15:04. It wasn't too bad. Then I had some dogs to take care of.

Then a gripe. I had a dr appt. Basically, I paid $50 for 2 minutes of an appointment because they were running "behind" and mine was cut short. If I has stayed my time, I would've then missed my dentist appointment and likely have been charged. WTF? Is my time not important?
I was pretty darn sour. I need to get over it. Not the end of the world. I've been late plenty of times, and since this is the first time it has happened at this particular venue, I'll go back. But jeez. I can still be annoyed.

Then the dentist. I had the wife half of the dentist practice I go to the past two times, and I'm going to be honest... Like night and day. I really like her a lot better than her hubs;) She's way more skilled at what she does!! I've never received a shot of novacaine that didn't hurt..at least a little
pinch, you know? This lady was magic. She pulled my lip back and forth back and forth and I never even knew she did it!!! Plus, I went for two months taking an incredible amount of ibuprofen from a previous crown, and all she did was a simple bite adjustment(that easily could've been done correctly the FIRST time) and all was instantly fixed, pain wise!! Incredible. I'm not as scared to go now!

Then another dog. Then the nog! Andy came tonight and we had the company of some nice friends. We actually were in a four way tie for first place and two way tie for best team name, but lost both! HA! Still got our run on and had fun. Pam and I were the "shruggers"... Hee Hee!

Wrapped the evening up with yet another dog... And five dogs here, and I'm doggone tired!!!

Goodnight!

The morning started off with a "fun run" that was just so-so fun, due to just ok weather. The race organizers were super nice though and the brunch was AwESOme at Tir Na Nog. I'd highly recommend it, if you'd never been. We will definitely go back!! So, for our entry fee of less than $50, we walked away with our bellies full from two brunches ($24 is the normal cost) , and two t-shirts each. They had extras from an old race. AND they had a door prize, in which I predicted one of us would SURELY win once they said what it was!! DOG DAYS FIVE 5k!! LOL!! I said, we so will win this for fostering those dogs. The words rolled out of my mouth, and she called my number, 1850!! So, August 3rd, I have a free entry to another race;) good things do happen! The race was untimed, but had it been, another girl and I who ran together(with Andy who ran at my pace) surely would've come in last;) BUT- I ran a 5k in under 38 minutes outside and that included a few stoplights and stopping and starting, I tried to pause my runkeeper, but it didn't always flow. I wish I could make my legs propel fast like on that treadmill!! Someday, my friends!!!

So, next we took those dogs to the adoption event. The people who were interested in Mia decided to go with another dog. A family is filling out an application on Max, so he may have a home, come Wednesday. I love them
dearly, but they need a forever home! If we had a bigger house and yard, it would certainly be much more convenient, and a maid would be nice!!

We got some of our grocery shopping done. Went to Aldi and Harris Teeter. Got a lot of produce and didn't spend a ton of money. Had wings and homemade sweet potato fries for dinner.

Did I mention I had a small cupcake at the brunch? It was red velvet, with cream cheese icing. Andy had a bite, also. So technically I didn't even eat the whole thing. And it was small. And I don't feel bad. Because the devil made me do it!

I wanted to add some interesting footage I came across as I was sifting through old fb photos. I weighed this afternoon.. ( I always am getting on the scale.. I know I know) I now have seen officially, 50 pounds less than my highest weight!!! Wanna see????? I've added a few of the befores and a fairly recent to give you an idea of what has happened!!!

My legs have only been this sore one other time in my life. Several years ago, I pretended to start going back to the gym. I did about a ten minute intro session with a trainer. It was a bunch of mini box jumps and squats and stuff. I seriously couldn't walk for four days... This is reminiscent of that time.

I woke up this morning, my legs already had been hurting yesterday...and my quads are so sore. I decided to skip crossfit. The WOD wasn't posted and I feared for my life. I'm honestly practically losing my balance getting up from a seated position. I didn't want to have it be box jumps or MORE wall balls! Heavens!

So, we went to the gym. I started out walking on the treadmill, which of course was kind of painful, but once I got moving was ok, so I decided to run. It seemed as though the faster I ran, the less it hurt! (as I got warmed up) Now as anyone that goes to the gym knows all treadmills are different. This particular treadmill informed me that I ran three miles in under thirty minutes!! I ran the whole thing mostly on 6.0, but a few minutes going up and down between 6.0-6.5 to make up for the time I had been walking. Honestly, it wasn't horrible until around 2.25 miles, that's when I got pretty tired. But, all the same, got some speed work in. The question is....will I be able to make my legs run the "devil made me do it" run tomorrow? It's not a REAL race, but a fun run. I may chose to walk. I may not HAVE a choice!!!

Breakfast was 2 eggs, 4 slices of bacon and some watermelon. Had a Lara bar before the gym. We had two plates of Ruby Tuesday salad bar for lunch and brought home dinner, which is a crab cake, green beans and some sweet potato fries. (On a side note, I've been obsessing about what kind of cake I'll get for my birthday...in JULY...)

I'm getting super sad that this might be the last night with the puppies EVEN though Max crapped in the house twice today. I love puppies. It will be nice to get back to normal. I am proud of my babies for being such good hosts and the puppies were really well behaved. I think we will do it again!

Woke up to poop in the cage. Seems Max had an upset tummy. YUCK. Not a pleasant morning surprise!!!

Next, I went to 8:15 crossfit. I had other dogs to care for this morning. We did workout 13.3 as our WOD. It was 12 mins as many reps as possible of 150 wall balls 90 double unders and 30 muscle ups. We don't need to discuss the double unders or muscle ups, as I didn't make it that far. What I am pleased with, I did GOOD wall balls. Steve said I'd have to start over if he caught me not going over the line or not squatting low enough, so I took my time I did it with care. I only did 120, but I'll tell you what. My legs HURT. I must've done them right!!! I also did a few band pull ups semi-successfully for the first time.

Took ale cat to the vet. All is well. The poor soul probably thought he was being given away!

I ate well today. Had 2 egg salad for breakfast and a Lara bar. For lunch, some chicken salad and one slider and hot dog, no bun- just condiments... Had a serving of dark chocolate chips this afternoon... And dinner is mustard lime chicken with sweet potatoe fries and broccoli.

I believe I'll finish today up with a nice HOT BATH!!!

(I'm sad to say, I know our time is running out with the pups. I sure do like the little guys even if they do poo in the cage;()

The puppies were great today so far. They are curious little black seals and I hate to say that I love them. Old grand dad Anakin is in love with little Mia based on his urgency to hump the poor thing. She is not having it though!! Bossy, sassy lil thing!

I went to a new group run tonight. I enjoyed the new scenery. The first part of the route was really easy, mostly downhill. But the second half was very hilly. Being that world of beer is in North Hills, chances are...there will be hills. But I made it. Jackie and I did 4:2 intervals and walked a bit more at the end and still kept a 13:30ish pace. It was enjoyable. It's nice having a good balance between crossfit and running, both of which I thoroughly am enjoying.

I ate well all day. A half of a sausage and two eggs, peppers, onions and a half a kiwi for breakfast. Some nuts and an orange for a snack. 2 organic hotdogs with some organic ketchup, mustard, relish and onions and a pickle for
Lunch. 2 more organic hot dogs and sliders on lettuce with condiments for dinner. Probably could have stood to had a few more veggies today...

Today was the first Wednesday I've taken off from crossfit since I started in mid January. Never fear. I'll still make it three days this week, and stay on goal for my 1000 miles of walking and running this year. There was just so much excitement getting the puppies home today!!

Max and Mia are a joy! They are better behaved than our own dogs! They play, roll around and sleep a lot. Mia is more cuddly and Max is more to himself. Adoreable. Sad we will have to see them on their way, but glad to help these little guys find a home.

Breakfast today was two eggs, a link of Earthfare Healthy-type sausage and peppers and onions. Lunch was late, but it was a greek salad with trace amounts of blue cheese. I had a pinch I needed to finish up. I hate throwing stuff away!! Lettuce, tomatoes, celery, black and green olives, onions and fresh jalepenos and some organic vinegar dressing. Dinner tonight is some shrimp and veggies. Also had a few slices of dried mango and a banana in between breakfast and lunch. I told you, back to the basics is actually much easier to prepare for!!

Plain and simple. We must be nuts. It started with an email. The kind you shouldn't open. Just like you should change the channel when you hear Sara McLaughlin "In the arms of the angels" come on and the sad abused animals commercial comes on... But I opened it, and there was a mama lab and 9 puppies needing a home.

We considered taking THEM in for two weeks. Because we are crazy. If you've ever been to our house, you know we don't have the room for that! But obviously we have the room in our hearts.

I called and asked of the puppies were old enough to be weaned, we could take a few...

Found out if we took "Max and Mia" that foster would take the herd. So Max and Mia it is! There's an adoptathon on Sunday, so they may only be with us a few days. It's not their fault they don't have a home. We will make them welcome.

Plus, it'll be good for Bode, our youngest. I think Anita will ignore them, and Anakin may be a little upset at first, but seems pretty tolerant of the other three new animals we brought in after him. Ale will probably just swat at them.

We have the room in our home, and I have the time, so why not open our heart and give a hand?

Went to big boss. Ran alone. No friends there tonight. That's ok. Although it was a little boring, I like the route. I did the four mile route to the left, although I only did three miles.

Since Andy went to the hockey game, I treated myself to some Shaba Shabu. Some sushi wrapped in cucumber instead of rice!! Pure genius! I get the sushi "feel" without the carbs. I must say its very good. But no wasabi? Hmmmm.